0 a large underground hole or container that is used for collecting and storing solid waste, urine, and dirty water
1 a large, underground hole or container that is used for collecting and storing human waste and dirty water:
fig. He described government there as a cesspool of corruption.
There are about 900,000 properties in this country occupied by 2½ million people, served by cesspools and septic tanks.
I am rather anxious to know whether the term "cesspool"includes"septic tank".
The total cost of emptying a cesspool comprises two elements: the local authority or private contractor collection charge and the water authority treatment charge.
Ashpits and cesspools are cleaned at regular intervals, giving rise to a filthy stench.
It may be that many properties are to-day functioning quite happily with cesspools, their occupants being almost unaware of the existence of the cesspools.
My local authority last year charged me half the sewerage charge and also a sum for emptying the cesspool.
But local building by-laws require the position of cesspools, etc.
Although the island is "a great cemetery" lying "under the hot sun of the tropics" (124), it is not the cesspool of pestilence and poison that it should be.
