sewage treatment plant

[charliegs3]

Hi, me and my partner have had an offer accepted on a period cottage which we are told dates back to 1880. We found out from our survey that there is no mains sewage and that the old cesspool has been upgraded to a sewage treatment plant. We are both first time buyers and very excited about moving into a period property but was wondering if anyone with experience of living with a sewage treatment plant could give us some advice. Is this going to be something that is going be a problem? We are told that it is emptied and serviced once a year.

thanks.

 

[Keith Bowman]

It won't be a problem. Just ask to see the receipts to check it really has been serviced regularly. And don't put silly things down it like wipes, cotton buds etc - just pooh, pi55 and paper!!

 

[Hobden]

Make sure you know where the output from the STP is going and make sure that that's onto your own land (or if it isn't, make sure you have the necessary easements over the adjoining land).

 

[wobs]

I don't have a sewage treatment plant personally, but I've been to a few domestic sized plants as well as many larger sewage works.

I would check all inputs (don't assume its just from one source - there could be others, such as from other buildings, or stormwater).

If it is pumped out, who does it, and where is it taken?

Are there any outputs to soak away or water course? If so, what permissions are required (EA could be the place to go to for this, as it may need to be registered). As has been said, is any output on your land?

Is it in good repair?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/485181/pmho0706bjgl-e-e.pdf

 

[Pennyviz]

I had a sewage treatment plant put in about 2 years ago as the existing set up was a tiny septic tank which overflowed into stream at bottom of garden, with all the stormwater also draining into it (which was rerouted). Have emptied once so far (there are two of us), seems to work well. As others have said check output situation, into stream or where (if stream or river check has one way pump in case of flooding), it will need power too - a small bill but more than a septic tank!

Penny

 

[Hobden]

I had a sewage treatment plant put in about 2 years ago

Which make/model did you choose? I read that can be problems with some makes when there are only two people using it (not enough, er, solids to allow it to digest properly). We hope to be in your situation fairly soon and I need to be thinking about this sort of stuff.

 

[Pennyviz]

Klargester Bioficient. Took advice from installer. I try to pace amounts of laundry etc to regulate water flow into system (so not 5 loads one day then none the next), and as I said make sure there are no rain drains running into it. Emptied it after 12 months but chap said could have gone for 18 months.

Penny

 

[Hobden]

Thanks Penny.

 

[MikeG]

Brilliant bits of kit compared with a septic tank. Be grateful for the upgrade!

 

[Flyfisher]

What are their advantages over a septic tank? Just wondering as we have a large septic tank that only needs emptying every two years or more, is completely invisible except for a small inspection cover and has been no trouble in nearly 10 years, and presumably many more before that.

Some near neighbours have modern treatment tanks that require emptying every year, a power supply for a pump or aerator (I'm not sure which) and are 3 or 4 feet in diameter poking above their lawns.

 

[Pennyviz]

As I recall to do with output, STP produce much cleaner output (supposedly drinkable according to the salesman. Yuk), so can discharge straight into watercourse. However, there was that thread not so long ago that mentioned nitrate and phosphate levels, but I don't how either fare on those.

We only have a air pipe above ground and a small motor thing, about 2 foot square.

Penny

 

[Hobden]

Yes, cleaner output that be discharged directly to a watercourse (though you might have to ask permission from the Environment Agency, and there are some areas where you can't do it, fullstop), whereas, from Jan 2015, you are no longer allowed to do this with a septic tank. And if you are doing this you have until 2020 to change it - either install an STP, or take the septic tank runoff to a drainage field ("soakaway").

 

[Pennyviz]

Site of the STP next to old garden privy. Air pipe on left, 2 manhole covers dead centre and behind bush centre back next to wall is cover for motor (you have a struggle to see it even without foliage).

Penny

 

[Flyfisher]

Yes, very discrete. Perhaps our neighbour's installation is not typical:




Our septic tank used to be more discrete than it is today, after I broke the half-buried and rather fragile paving stones being used to cover the access chambers, so I replaced them with more substantial covers that would bear the weight of a vehicle. I've no idea about the drainage arrangement but I assume the excess water just soaks away into surrounding grass area. The pond I mentioned earlier is in the distance behind the willow tree, but it was definitely dug out after the septic tank was built so it certainly doesn't discharge into the pond.




A not very clear picture of the pond, which could really do with some attention to clear the encroaching trees - it's on the list!

 

[Bogart]

They are not a problem as such. The manufacturer will let you know what can and cannot be put down it. If you are in a hard water area a salt based water softener is a no no. The guy who serviced ours said if you cannot eat it do not put it down it :shock: Ours is a Kingspan version. Servicing by them costs about twice as much as by an independant contractor. Mind you the service is not exactly rocket science and is a definite DIY capable job. Only reason we get it serviced is that it discharges into a neighbours ditch, then pond, then into the local river. There is an environmental permit in force, so to keep on the right side of them I like some paperwork saying it has been serviced. As for how often it needs emptied is a question you should ask the manufacturer. The previous owner of our property got it emptied with the annual service which was a bit over the top. It all depends on how many occupants are using it in our case two so in theory only needs emptied once every 3 years.