SEWAGE TREATMENT
What is the cost of a sewage treatment plant?
OVERVIEW
Whether you are a professional taking care of a customer’s order or a homeowner who would like to install his new sewage treatment solution on his own, there’s a mutual question: “how much is the cost of a sewage treatment plant?”.
Even though it sounds like a very easy one to respond to, it is not.
Every project has its own specifications and costs, constraints, and difficulties. However, there are a few elements you could put together to get an idea of where you are going. Have a look!
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If you have any questions, feel free to call us
Choosing your treatment tank
Cesspool, septic tank or sewage treatment plant?
Wastewater treatment systems come in various options, each with its features and costs.
The simplest option is a cesspool, functioning as an underground holding tank for wastewater. These start at around £500 for a basic model.
A step up is the septic tank, priced between £800 and £1500. A septic tank separates waste into chambers, with cleaner water flowing to a drainage field. Maintenance involves periodic emptying.
More advanced are the sewage treatment plants. This type not only holds waste but also treats it to a high standard, allowing direct discharge into watercourses. The cost of a sewage treatment plant ranges from £2,000 to £4,000, with variations in effluent quality and additional features such as automation, monitoring systems, and treatment enhancements.
Selecting a system depends on desired standards and features. Generally, a sewage treatment plant for a 3 to 5-bedroom house won’t exceed £3,000.
Installation costs must also be considered, contingent on property modifications. Different soil types might require extra expenses for drainage field installation.
Understanding these variables is crucial for informed decision-making.
Tricel Novo sewage treatment Plant – how does it work?
Our wastewater treatment plant, the Tricel Novo, offers a simple yet efficient solution to treat your domestic effluents. It is a three-step purification plant made of three different chambers.
- Within the primary settlement chamber, most of the solids are isolated from the waste. It will settle to the bottom of the tank whilst the rest of the water is making its way to the next area of treatment.
- During this second stage of the wastewater treatment, natural bacteria (sustained by an air compressor) stand as a purification medium. They are feeding themselves with the sewage and erasing it from the liquid.
- Once it is mostly purified, the liquid goes into the final settlement chamber. The remaining impurities will be dropped down to the bottom of the plant before returning to the first chamber, thanks to a sludge return system.
There is no such thing as a typical household and project.
Every buyer who comes to us has a very different plan and vision of how he would like things to be for his property. Once his needs have been identified and the site assessment has been done, we are ready to intervene.
For those interested in a Tricel Novo, our sewage treatment plant, we will simply need to find the plant that fits you the best based on the PE (Population Equivalent) and the recommendations that have been made.
What is Population Equivalent (PE)?
Whenever you hear ‘Population Equivalent’ or ‘PE’ we reference the number of rooms you have at home and the number of people living under your roof.
Typically, if you have 4 bedrooms, your PE is equal to 6. See below to see which plant coincides with your PE.
| Design population | UK6 | UK8 | UK10 | UK12 | UK18 | UK24 | UK30 | UK36 | UK42 | UK50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nbre of people | 1-6 | 2-8 | 3-10 | 4-12 | 6-18 | 8-24 | 10-30 | 12-36 | 14-42 | 16-50 |
In terms of cost, here’s what you should expect: for a Tricel Novo UK6 to a Tricel Novo UK10, the retail price range will evolve from £2,099 to £2,339.
| Novo | Nbre of people | Weight (empty) kg | Length (m) | Width (m) | Height (m) | Air blower rating (watts) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK6 SR | 1-6 | 270 | 2.1 | 1.64 | 2.24 | 50 | |
| UK6 | 1-6 | 300 | 2.6 | 1.64 | 2.24 | 50 | |
| UK8 SR | 2-8 | 300 | 2.6 | 1.64 | 2.24 | 64 | |
| UK8 | 2-8 | 300 | 2.6 | 1.64 | 2.24 | 64 | |
| UK10 | 3-10 | 370 | 3.1 | 1.64 | 2.24 | 86 | |
| UK12 | 4-12 | 400 | 3.6 | 1.64 | 2.27 | 100 | |
| UK18 | 6-18 | 500 | 4.6 | 1.64 | 2.27 | 215 | |
| UK24 | 8-24 | 600 | 5.6 | 1.64 | 2.27 | 215 | |
| UK30 | 10-30 | 700 | 6.6 | 1.64 | 2.27 | 215 | |
| UK36 | Tank A | 12-36 | 300 | 2.6 | 1.64 | 1.99 | 215+86 |
| Tank B | 600 | 5.6 | 1.64 | 2.27 |
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| UK42 | Tank A | 14-42 | 400 | 3.6 | 1.64 | 1.99 | 215 x 2 |
| Tank B | 600 | 5.6 | 1.64 | 2.27 |
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| UK50 | Tank A | 16.50 | 400 | 3.6 | 1.64 | 1.99 | 215 x 2 |
| Tank B | 700 | 6.6 | 1.64 | 2.27 |
Additional costs of sewage treatment plants
Site specifications
Depending on the site’s specifications and the soil quality, you might need some add-ons on top of your initial investment to follow the environmental and governmental guidelines.
It includes a gravity outlet or pumped station to facilitate the evacuation of the treated sewage water, but also a potential tertiary treatment solution (packaged filter system). Those will be recommended by the site assessor if it’s needed or not for your property.
The access, whether or not you have an old system to remove, and the location will impact on the installation costs of your sewage treatment plant.
The installation price
As mentioned earlier, once you bought your plant, you have two options. You could either go with a contractor and let them take care of the installation or do it on your own.
- Going with a contractor: fewer responsibilities, things to plan, and fewer working hours than you would spend on.
- Installing the plant on your own: If you have the material required and the knowledge (particularly for those working in the construction field), it should be pretty easy. However, if you need to rent the required tools (mentioned in the brochure), you might end up spending more time on the organisation, which could be a down for a few people.
While the provided price estimates are approximate, accurate cost assessments can be provided once more information is gathered.
Estimates of Sewage Treatment Plant Installation Costs (summary):
The exact expense varies based on system size, materials, location, existing infrastructure, and more. As a rough guideline for residential setups:
- Cost of the sewage treatment plant itself: £2,000-£4,000.
- Installation costs: approximately £5,500-£7,000.
On average, the combined cost of purchasing and installing a domestic sewage treatment plant ranges from £7,500 to £11,000.
Operating costs
The operating cost of a sewage treatment plant depends on various factors. For instance, in the case of a domestic system, after covering installation expenses, the annual running cost breakdown might be as follows:
- Emptying / desludging costs: Depending on system specifics, emptying might be required once a year or every six months, with potential yearly costs ranging from £130 to £260.
- Running Costs: Power supply expenses linked to the system could range from £80 to £180, contingent on the chosen model.
For the Tricel Novo, check our FAQ section “How to calculate the electrical consumption of a Tricel Novo?“
- Regular Maintenance: Annual maintenance costs, determined by the system type, could fall between £75 to £375.
Considering the variability of system characteristics, a definitive cost estimation without additional information is challenging. On average, yearly expenses might range from £285 to £815 for a traditional system.
Be cautious of suppliers claiming the lowest running or maintenance costs without considering system-specific details.
Note: These are estimations and costs can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and system types.
Articles you might be interested in
- Our sewage treatment plant : The Tricel Novo
- Ready for a septic tank upgrade?
- Sewage treatment plant process
- Types of sewage treatment plants
Get in touch
Installing sewage treatment plants is highly beneficial for properties unable to connect to the mains. Choosing the appropriate system within your budget is essential.
At Tricel, we specialise in sewage treatment solutions for both domestic and commercial usage. We offer sewage treatment plant solutions for both upgrades and new installations.
For further information or personalised advice, our team can be reached via phone, email, or the provided contact form.