How to Build a Septic for a Dog Kennel

There are a number of things you need to consider when building a septic system for your dog kennel. You may need a permit. The septic presented in this article is small enough that a permit should not be required, but you should check with your local planning office to verify this. You also need to be sure that the soil where you are installing the septic will absorb water adequately; otherwise, the septic will not work.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Galvanized metal trash can, 30 gallons or more
  • Metal shears
  • Drill
  • 1/2-inch drill bit
  • 10-foot-long piece of 4-inch corrugated sewer pipe
  • Trencher (optional)
  • Clean gravel 1 inch or larger in size (no dirt or fines)
  • Old newspaper
  • Topsoil
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Instructions

    • 1
      Metal trash can

      Dig a hole deep enough to hold the trash can, allowing the top 2 inches of the can to extend above the ground. Make the hole 18 to 24 inches wider than the trash can all the way around.

    • 2

      Using the metal shears, remove the bottom of the trash can. Drill 1/2-inch holes in several rows around the lower half of the can. Space the holes about 5 inches apart both vertically and horizontally.

    • 3

      Cut a 4-by-6-inch opening in one side of the can, at the top. Leave the metal attached to the can at the bottom of the opening. This is where the wastewater will enter the can. Bend the metal flap down to make a ramp that will carry the water from the dog area into the septic system.

    • 4

      Make several rows of perforations in the sewer pipe. These holes need to run the entire length of the pipe.

    • 5

      Dig a straight and level trench 3 feet deep and 10 feet long. This trench should start at the hole where the trash can will be placed and go away from the kennel area and into the least used area of the yard.

    • 6

      Place the trash can in the hole. Be sure to line up the water intake ramp with the edge of your kennel so that wash water will run from the kennel into the can. Fill the space around the can with gravel.

    • 7

      Fill the trench with an 18-inch-deep layer of gravel. Place the sewer pipe into the trench and against the can. Cover the pipe with a 2-inch layer of gravel. Place a layer of newspaper on top of the gravel, then cover the entire trench with topsoil. You can place the lid on the trash can to keep extraneous materials out, as long as you make sure the wastewater can enter the can unimpeded.