SEWAGE TREATMENT
Concrete Septic Tanks in Northern Ireland
OVERVIEW
Are you considering concrete septic tanks, a standard septic tank, or a sewage treatment plant?
Concrete, plastic, or GRP—feeling unsure about which option is best for you?
Read more below or contact us for expert advice.
- What are septic tanks and what factors to take into account to choose one?
- Which septic tank is best plastic or concrete?
- How much is a typical septic tank in Northern Ireland?
- What certifications should a septic tank have?
- What are the alternatives to a concrete septic tank? Why not try a sewage Treatment plant?
- Why choose a wastewater treatment plant over a septic tank?
If you have any questions, feel free to call us
What is a septic tank?
A septic tank is an underground wastewater treatment system that is self-contained. It is an efficient and reliable way of treating and disposing of household waste.
When choosing a septic tank, one important factor is the material it is made from, such as concrete septic tanks.
However, several other factors should also be taken into account when selecting your septic tank:
- Site suitability
- Available space
- Cost
- Ease of installation
- Warranty
- Maintenance and servicing needs
How does a septic tank work?
A septic tank is an underground tank which can be made of concrete, GPR, or plastic through which domestic wastewater (sewage) flows for basic sewage treatment.
It has an inlet and an outlet, and it is a simple overflow system.
There is no mechanics, no air compressor, no discs.
As seen on the image (Tricel Vento), the water comes in from the house through the dip pipe (1), the solids in the water sink towards the bottom, and the lighter of the solid matter float to form a scum layer.
Then, the untreated wastewater overflows into chamber number 2 keeping most of the solids on the inlet side. The fluid passes over the baffle (2), and it is discharged through the outlet pipe (3), having gone through a filter (in the example).
Septic tanks can have one, two, or three chambers. Discharge from the outlet is only permitted into a drainage field, as additional treatment is necessary.
are concrete septic tanks best?
Below are the procs and cons of each solution:
PLASTIC SEPTIC TANKS
The type of plastic used is crucial, as not all plastics are the same. At Tricel, we utilise high-density polyethylene (HDPE) combined with advanced blow moulding technology. Our tanks are:
- Strong and durable
- Easy to install (featuring a super low profile, requiring minimal excavation)
- Reliable and effective
- May need a concrete base or backfill in wet site conditions
CONCRETE SEPTIC TANKS
In general, concrete septic tanks are perceived as strong and durable. However, the quality can vary considerably depending on the grade and quality of the concrete used during manufacture and the production/moulding process. They can also be:
- Heavy to manoeuvre
- Challenging to install (requiring bigger machinery)
How much are concrete septic tanks in Northern Ireland?
The cost of a septic tank is ultimately determined by the size of the tank that is being installed.
There is a difference between a septic tank and a wastewater treatment system. Offering a higher treatment, the wastewater treatment or sewage treatment plants are more expensive to buy than a septic tank.
What certifications should a septic tank have?
All septic tanks in Northern Ireland must have EN12566-1 certification, which also conforms to the Irish Standard – S.R.66.
What are the alternatives to concrete septic tanks in Northern Ireland?
One of the alternatives is to use a HPDE septic tank.
Another one is to install a wastewater treatment plant (secondary treatment) which will treat the wastewater before discharging it.
Why not try a sewage Treatment plant?
Different sewage treatment systems are available on the market, such as:
- trickle filter systems
- rotating biological contactors (RBC)
- mobile media bio-reactors
- activated sludge systems
- sequence batch reactor (SBR) systems
- At Tricel, we offer a fixed bed system, the Tricel Novo
See below how it all works:
This is a three chambered underground tank where the wastewater comes in by the inlet (1) into the primary chamber (similar to a septic tank chamber). This chamber is where most solids are kept throughout the whole process (2).
The water then overflows by gravity through the 2nd chamber (3), where is located the fixed bed media (the media doesn’t move, it is fixed to the tank). Below is a ceramic diffuser at the bottom (like in a fish tank) fed by a pipe from the air compressor at the top. The diffuser creates bubbles that pass through and rise through the media feeding the bacteria and allowing them to treat the wastewater.
The treated water then overflows into the third chamber by gravity and through the outlet (5).
As a higher treatment is achieved in the wastewater treatment plant, you might be able to discharge directly into a watercourse or, if required, a small percolation area, and a much smaller one than one needed after a septic tank.
In Northern Ireland, we offer two solutions: Tricel Vitae and Tricel Novo.
Why choose a wastewater treatment plant over a septic tank?
A sewage treatment plant has a higher treatment efficiency than a concrete septic tank. Therefore it reduces the size of the percolation area or eradicates it.
See below some of the other benefits (with the Tricel Novo as an example):
- Made of SMC, the tanks are strong, durable, and lightweight.
- Easy to install – plug & play system.
- Shadow tank system, very easy to install in high ground situations or rocky ground saving the contractor and homeowner money when installing the system.
- No concrete backfill on most sites.
- This plant has no moving components or pumps, ensuring reliable operation and low maintenance and repair costs.
- Integrated pumped outlet available on all systems.
Tricel with Depawater fits septic tanks and sewage treatment plants throughout Northern Ireland. Contact us today to discuss your project and quote a quote.
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Key features
Fast Delivery
Fast delivery + Rapid response to all our customers
Certified
Tricel Products are certified to EN12566-1 and EN 12566-3 certified
Technical expertise
Unrivalled technical expertise by our team regarding wastewater treatment solutions
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