Sewage Treatment Plant FAQ's

A: It is important to have a sewage treatment plant to prevent environmental pollution, protect public health and promote sustainable water use. 

One of the most important factors in determining the choice of sewage treatment product is the site’s drainage properties. Both septic tanks and sewage treatment plants typically require a drainage field into which they discharge effluent. Unlike a septic tank, a sewage treatment plant can also go to a water course. Testing the ground for its permeability is usually done by a professional installer using a percolation test; the correct procedure is described in BS 6297 Note: your property will need to be located on the highly permeable ground if you want to install a septic tank otherwise the drainage field will fail. At least half the UK sits on a clay substrate, ruling this solution out and making a sewage treatment plant the only viable option.

The propensity of the site to flood and the height of the water table are also important considerations. Both H2 building regulations and BS 6297 state that the water table must be at least one metre below a septic tank outlet. In this instance, and if your property is in a flood risk area, you will need to install a sewage treatment plant.

Click here to find out why you should install a sewage treatment tank over a septic tank.

A soakaway, also known as an infiltration system, is a type of drainage system used to manage surface water runoff. It consists of a pit or trench filled with gravel, stone, or other porous materials that allow water to percolate through them and into the ground.

Soakaways are typically used in areas where the soil has good drainage characteristics, and they are often used to manage water from roof gutters, surface water drains, or other impermeable surfaces. The idea is that the water is directed into the soakaway, where it slowly percolates into the surrounding soil, reducing the amount of runoff and preventing flooding. 

A typical sewage treatment plant consists of several components, primary settlement tank, biological treatment and final settlement tank. 

A sewage treatment plant works by holding back large solids and debris from the wastewater within the primary settlement tank. The wastewater then goes through the biological zone where bacteria and microorganisms break down and consume the organic matter. Finally, the treated water is discharged safely and sensitively through a drainage field or directly into a watercourse*.

The solid waste generated in the sewage treatment process, also known as sewage sludge, is typically treated further through processes such as anaerobic digestion or composting, and then can be disposed of or used as a fertilizer.

A well-designed and properly maintained sewage treatment plant can have positive environmental impacts by reducing water pollution and protecting aquatic ecosystems. However, if not properly managed, a sewage treatment plant can also have negative impacts such as odours, noise pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases. With our Klargester BioDisc we remove all these negative impacts with our top of the range sewage treatment plant. 

There are a whole host of benefits if you decide to invest in a domestic wastewater plant. These benefits include:

• Environmentally friendly – domestic wastewater treatment plants use natural biological processes to break down sewage and safely process harmful compounds. This reduces pollution and is vital for protecting the local flora and fauna.
• Preserves your drainage field, unlike a septic tank which only holds solids and therefore the treatment occurs in the drainage field, leading to a high risk of ground pollution. 
• Safety – untreated sewage, or old sewage systems can release hazardous materials into your local watercourses. 
• A sewage treatment plant actually treats the wastewater and you can sample it to see whether it’s working correctly.
• A long term solution - Most modern plants also have a long lifespan and are a solid investment for any property. 
• Efficiency – the overall treatment process is efficient at breaking down sewage and there is a far lower chance of suffering annoying blockages.

It’s important that your sewage treatment plant or septic tank system is emptied and serviced regularly to continue operating optimally. Poorly performing systems can cause serious health hazards as well as local pollution risks. Recent Building Regulations state that regular emptying and maintenance of small sewage treatment plants must be undertaken by the homeowner at least once per year, or as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. 

As a homeowner, you must also ensure that your  Klargester system remains in good repair and replace it when necessary. If you have just purchased your Klargester sewage treatment plant or septic tank, it’s your responsibility to have it properly decommissioned. We do recommend that you keep a detailed log of when your system is inspected, maintained, emptied or serviced as you may need these details in future. Contact our service team at 0333 240 6868 to book your next service visit.

To find out more contact our expert technical team via the details below.

*Subject to EA or SEPA permits.