Cesspool vs. Septic Tank in Hattiesburg, MS: Key Differences and Legal Status
The terms cesspool and septic tank are often used interchangeably by homeowners, but they describe fundamentally different systems with very different legal statuses. If you own an older property in Hattiesburg or the surrounding Pine Belt that predates modern septic code, understanding which system you have — and whether it is legally compliant — is essential.
What Is a Cesspool
A cesspool is an underground pit — typically concrete block or stone, sometimes simply an excavated hole — into which raw sewage flows directly from the house. There is no biological treatment chamber, no effluent separation, and often no liner. Raw sewage seeps directly into the surrounding soil from the pit walls and bottom.
Cesspools were common in Hattiesburg and Pine Belt properties built before World War II, and some survived into the 1960s before code enforcement became consistent. In rural areas of Forrest and Lamar County, a small number of properties with very old improvements may still have cesspool-style systems.
Legal Status in MS
MS regulations require proper two-stage treatment — tank plus drainfield — for on-site wastewater treatment. Raw sewage pits that discharge untreated waste directly to soil are not compliant with current MDEQ regulations. Homes with cesspools are typically required to upgrade to a compliant system when the cesspool fails, when the property is sold, or when a permit is pulled for other improvements.
Identifying What You Have
If your home was built before 1960, or if you have no documentation of a permitted septic system, the only definitive way to determine what underground waste system you have is a professional investigation. During a service call, a technician can locate the system and identify its construction type.
Not Sure What System Your Home Has?
Call Hattiesburg Septic Pros for an honest investigation and honest assessment of your options.
✆ Call 601-884-8016Cesspool vs. Septic Tank in Hattiesburg, MS: Key Differences and Legal Status FAQs
What's the difference between a cesspool and a septic tank?
A cesspool is a simple pit that lets raw sewage seep directly into surrounding soil with no treatment. A septic tank holds waste in a chamber where solids settle and bacteria digest it before clarified effluent exits to a drainfield.
Are cesspools legal in Mississippi?
No. Cesspools are not legal for new installations and must be replaced with a proper two-stage septic system when found.
When were cesspools commonly installed in the Hattiesburg area?
They were common in Pine Belt properties built before World War II, with some surviving into the 1960s before code enforcement became consistent.
When is a homeowner required to upgrade a cesspool?
When the cesspool fails, when the property is sold, or when a permit is pulled for other property improvements.
How can a homeowner find out if they have a cesspool or a septic tank?
A professional investigation is the only definitive way — a technician can locate the system during a service call and identify its construction type, especially important for homes built before 1960.