Introduction To Sewage Treatment Plants

Pure, clean water is one of our most important resources – something that needs to be cherished. In order to maximise the water that we have, sewage treatment plants can be used to not only allow for the re-use of wastewater but the protection of watercourses and prevention of flooding.

Sewage treatment plants in rural living

Moving to the countryside is a dream for many people – a place to escape, switch-off and disconnect from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this may also mean that your property is also disconnected… from the main sewer network.

With that in mind, it’s worth becoming familiar with the off-mains drainage options available for your property. Plus, you’ll want to be aware of some changing legislation that may just mean that you’ll be legally required to install one at your property very soon.

Why would I need a sewage treatment plant?

Around 95% of UK properties are connected to the main sewer system. This means that all foul water from these properties will run through a network of underground pipes until it reaches the main sewer. This will all be managed and maintained by the local Water and Sewage company. This management will not only include the maintenance of the pipe network, but also the processing, filtering and discharging of the wastewater. With ever-changing environmental legislation regarding eco-friendly effluence (disposal of wastewater), it’s nice not to have to worry about it – unless you are within the other 5% of UK properties!

It is likely that these remaining properties will have their own, self-contained off-mains drainage system in place and a sewage treatment plant forms one of the main three different options.

What are the off-mains drainage options?

Where it becomes impossible (or too costly) to get a property connected to the main sewer system, the three typical options for off-mains drainage are;

• sewage treatment plants
• septic tanks
• cesspools (or cesspits)

Sewage treatment plants are swiftly becoming the preferred option in most cases due to the many system benefits that come along with them, the main factors being:

• they’re cost-effective;
• they’re clean (production of 97% clean water), and;
• eco-friendly.

Generally speaking, a sewage treatment plant is the most suitable option if you plan to discharge the effluent into a stream, ditch, or soakaway system.

Take note, there are some fast approaching changes in legislation that will certify a sewage treatment plant as one of the most suitable options of the future.

Why will sewage treatment plants be the preferred off-mains drainage option from 2020?

New environmental laws that came into place in 2015 outlined that those with septic tanks already installed and discharge wastewater to a local watercourse will no longer be allowed to do so. This is due to research showing that the quality of the wastewater is no longer considered clean enough, causing unnecessary pollution to the watercourse and ecosystem. You can find the full statement from the Environment Agency here.

This change to legislation means that these properties are legally obliged to upgrade their systems by 2020 (or if they’re planning to sell their property before then) to one of two options:

• change the septic tank to a sewage treatment plant, or;
• install a drainage field with a soakaway system.

Need further advice?

We have a range of sewage treatment plants and soakaway crates at competitive prices and with next day delivery. Contact our team today for further information or to see how we can help with your project.