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The Klargester BioDisc domestic treatment plant offers peace of mind with the efficient removal of pollutants, a 7-year warranty (terms apply), affordable running costs, no smell & silent operation.
Servicing & Maintaining Your Off-Mains Drainage System
If you own a septic tank or sewage treatment plant that manages the wastewater from your bathroom, kitchen sink, basins, WCs etc., you’ll need to ensure that it’s properly looked after.
Under UK legislation septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, and their attached drainage fields, need to have regular, scheduled servicing and maintenance, in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
In England, this is covered under the General Binding Rules. For regional variations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-a-surface-water.
Why Service & Maintain Septic Tanks, Sewage Treatment Plants & Drainage Fields?
It’s important to remember that off-mains drainage systems manage hazardous waste effluent. Modern, properly maintained, septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, and drainage fields should do this effectively and safely for years but, like any system, if they aren’t maintained then they will fail.
Regular servicing and maintenance will help prevent your treatment tank or drainage field from becoming clogged and backing up, which can lead to overflowing toilets.
It will also stop your system causing local pollution and potentially becoming a health hazard. Systems that are not regularly maintained will create a nasty smelling problem for the owners, while the effluent they emit can contaminate groundwater.
It’s also vital to ensure that you only ask a certified drainage engineer to advise you and service your system. Book one here.
Off-Mains Drainage System Maintenance General Guidance
What follows are general guidelines about looking after your drainage system; the specific steps may vary, depending on the type of septic tank or sewage treatment plant you have. If you have an older tank and drainage field it may need to be checked more frequently, especially if your property has been extended.
For more specific advice about your particular system or location, we recommend that you talk to a drainage engineer.
1. Regularly Empty Your Septic Tank/Sewage Treatment Plant
Under Rule 12 of the General Binding Rules, you need to have your septic tank or sewage treatment plant regularly emptied; a process known as desludging.
How frequently you desludge your system depends on the size of the tank, the nature of the waste it manages, the number of people living at your property, and the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Make sure this is done by a registered waste carrier who will dispose of your waste safely and legally.
2. Simple Checks of Your Septic Tank/Sewage Treatment Plant
Carry out regular checks of your system and call an engineer if you are at all concerned, for example, if you smell sewage, spot signs of rust/corrosion, or you see any damage (such as leaks or cracks) to your tank or its associated pipework.
Sewage treatment plants also have working parts, so you should also call out an engineer if you think there may be a problem with its motor or pump.
3. Drainage Field Maintenance
The health of your drainage field is a crucial factor in determining the effectiveness of your off-mains drainage system, particularly for those associated with septic tanks. Septic tanks do not treat wastewater, they allow the solids to settle out of the effluent which is then passed into a drainage field to complete the cleansing process. If desludging is not carried out regularly, these solids can build up to the point where they block the pipe to the drainage field and/or they clog up the drainage field.
Ensure your drainage field is inspected at least once every three years and follow the guidance on what to put down the drain or flush down the toilet. It’s also good practice to ensure rainwater is diverted away from the drainage field, to avoid overloading it.
Keep an eye out for any warning signs of potential issues, such as soft and soggy areas around the field or spongy, very green grass. If you spot any of these, contact an engineer.
4. Keep Records for New Owners
If you sell your house, the new owners must be made aware that it is not connected to the mains sewer and is therefore dependent on private drainage. You should include details of your system, where it is situated the location of pipework and the drainage field, any modifications, an up-to-date manual, information on how it should be maintained, and written records of its service and maintenance history.
Klargester Off-Mains Drainage Expert Helpline
If you need further help, please call our off-mains drainage experts for free advice on 0129 663 3033 or email klargester-web@kingspan.com
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