Buying a tank is easier once you know what you are comparing. A septic tank for sale in South Africa can be moulded plastic, cast concrete or fibreglass, and each has its own weight, price and installation method. Tell us the size you need and where the tank is going, and tank suppliers who deliver to your area will quote directly, with or without installation.
Plastic, concrete or fibreglass
Each material suits different sites:
- Plastic (polyethylene): light, quick to fit and watertight, ideal for homes. Needs careful bedding and a full fill with water while backfilling.
- Concrete: heavy, strong and long lasting. Often built on site or from rings, and good where trucks pass or the ground is firm.
- Fibreglass: light and rust-proof, with good strength for its weight. Less common, so delivery can take longer.
For most houses, plastic is the practical choice. See plastic septic tanks and concrete septic tanks for more detail on each.
Choosing the size to buy
Do not buy on price alone. A 2,500 L tank may look cheap, but it suits only a small house with one or two bedrooms. A three or four bedroom home usually needs 5,000 L, and a larger household or guest rooms may need 7,000 L or more. Work this out first with the guide on septic tank design. Also check the tank is rated for septic use and, if it will sit in a high water table or under a driveway, that it can handle the load.
Delivery and what comes in the kit
Suppliers deliver by flatbed truck or bakkie, and the price depends on distance and the size of the tank. Plastic tanks are bulky but light, so one or two people can offload them. Concrete units may need a truck crane, and a long or steep farm road can add to the delivery fee. Make sure someone is on site to receive the tank, and inspect it for cracks or dents before the truck leaves. Ask what the supplier includes. A typical kit contains the tank with lids, inlet and outlet tees, a vent fitting and rubber seals. Pipe, bedding sand, gravel and the drainage field are usually extra, so list them on the quote.
Questions to ask before you pay
Ask for the exact litre capacity, the wall thickness, the warranty period and whether installation is offered. Ask how long the tank takes to arrive and who offloads it. Find out whether the lids are lockable, because an unlocked lid is a danger to children and animals. Check that the inlet and outlet positions match your pipe levels, and whether the supplier will swap fittings if they do not. A reputable seller will put all of this in writing, with the capacity, the delivery date and the warranty terms stated clearly on the quote. Compare delivered prices, not ex-factory prices, and check septic tank prices for typical ranges before you accept a quote.
What to include in your request
- Tank size in litres and how many bedrooms it serves
- Material you prefer: plastic, concrete or fibreglass
- Delivery address and truck access on the last stretch
- Whether fittings, lids and tees must be included
- Whether you also need installation and a drainage field
Septic Tanks for Sale for different properties
- Houses: a stock plastic tank of 2,500 to 5,000 L delivered for a new or replacement system
- Smallholdings and plots: a larger tank for a smallholding, delivered to a gate with rough access
- Estates and complexes: tanks bought in bulk for several units, with matching fittings and lids
- Farms and game farms: tanks for the homestead and worker housing, delivered on one trip
- Lodges, guesthouses and venues: 7,000 L and larger tanks for guest rooms, often bought as a pair
- Restaurants, shops and offices: heavy duty tanks for shops and restaurants, rated for traffic loads
- Schools, churches and clinics: large tanks or concrete units for schools and clinics
- Factories, mines, sites and events: bulk tanks for sites and camps, delivered to a set date
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy a septic tank in South Africa?
Is a plastic septic tank better than a concrete one?
Can the supplier install the tank for me?
How long does delivery take?
Septic Tanks for Sale by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg