SEWAGE TREATMENT
2020 septic tank general binding rules Homeowners responsibilities
OVERVIEW
The 2020 septic tank general binding rules are now in full effect. Suppose you own or manage property in either England or Wales, particularly in the countryside. In that case, there is a strong chance that you have a septic tank.
Under the code of practice implemented by the Environment Agency (General binding rules: slight sewage discharge to surface water), homeowners are responsible for installing and maintaining the sewage treatment system on their property and limiting its impact on the local environment.
If buying or selling a property, you are now legally required to inform any potential buyers in writing if the property has a septic tank and provide all information regarding maintenance requirements and the system’s location.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us
What is the situation?
Since January 2015, new rules relating to sewage treatment discharge came into effect in England and Wales. All direct discharge from a septic tank into a watercourse, such as a river, a lake or a stream, will no longer be permitted. An upgrade or a replacement of the existing septic tank will be required.
The situation is now, to comply with the 2020 septic tank general binding rules in England and Wales, homeowners will have to use a small sewage treatment plant to treat the sewage. These package treatment plants treat wastewater so it’s clean enough to be discharged to surface water.
2020 Septic Tank general binding rules in England and Wales
Who is affected?
This regulation affects any homeowners in England and Wales who currently has a septic tank discharging directly into a watercourse.
What is the deadline?
January 1st, 2020
What are the options?
- Connect to the main sewer
- Install a drainage field
- Upgrade your septic tank with a small sewage treatment plant
What to do next?
Contact Tricel today to assess your situation
What are the options?
If your septic tank is discharging directly into a watercourse, three solutions are available:
- Connect to the main sewer. However, this is only available in a few remote areas. If there is an obstacle to the public sewer, you may be unable to connect to it.
- Install a drainage field. This option is also known as an infiltration system. It allows the septic tank to discharge to the ground instead of the watercourse. Please note that, in many cases, the installation of a drainage system is impossible due to site constraints such as small space and/or the soil needing more drainage potential, such as clay soil.
- Upgrade your septic tank with a small sewage treatment plant, thus eliminating the need for any drainage field.
For the latter option, the Tricel Novo sewage treatment plant is a suitable, cost-effective solution for a septic tank upgrade. It is simple, reliable, easy to install and complies with environmental legislation.
All Tricel wastewater treatment plants have been tested to European certification EN 12566–3 and comply with the requirements of S.R. 66:2015. This certification pushes all plants for strength, water tightness, durability and treatment efficiency.
By using a CE-certified wastewater treatment plant, homeowners can rest assured that they are compliant with the standards currently in force, which guarantees a high level of security and efficiency.
What to do next?
For the latter option, the Tricel Novo sewage treatment plant is a suitable, cost-effective solution for a septic tank upgrade. It is simple, reliable, easy to install and complies with environmental legislation.
All Tricel wastewater treatment plants have been tested to European certification EN 12566–3 and comply with the requirements of S.R. 66:2015. This certification pushes all plants for strength, water tightness, durability and treatment efficiency.
By using a CE-certified wastewater treatment plant, homeowners can rest assured that they are compliant with the standards currently in force, which guarantees a high level of security and efficiency.
Tips for a hassle-free septic tank or sewage treatment plant
Sewage treatment plants provide treatment of the wastewater inside a tank. In contrast, septic tanks separate the solids from the liquid in the tank and use a percolation area or sewage treatment filters after the tank to provide the final treatment of the effluent.
A quick way of identifying the solution type that your property employs is by applying the following parameters:
- Most sewage treatment plants require power to run the aeration and carry out the wastewater treatment process; septic tanks do not.
- A septic tank generally requires emptying once per year. In contrast, sewage treatment plants are opened at intervals of three to sixty months.
- The level of treatment from a sewage treatment plant is very high, allowing for discharge directly to a stream, ditch watercourse or drainage field.
- A septic tank produces a much more pollutant effluent, which must be discharged to a drainage field for further treatment from natural aerobic soil bacteria to process the effluent to an acceptable purification level equal to that of a sewage treatment plant.
quality
Who choose Tricel?
With Tricel, you are guaranteed peace of mind through high-quality and certified products. Our range of sewage treatment plants is designed and tested to meet CE regulations and industry standards. Our solutions comply with the 2020 septic tank general binding rules.
Tricel is one of the largest manufacturers of sewage treatment plants in Europe and is regarded by regulators as the standard setters within the industry. Our company offers innovative and leading solutions that our customers can trust.
With Tricel, you are guaranteed the following:
- Free site consultation/advice
- A network of recognized and highly professional installers
- Free commissioning
- Maintenance and service contracts available on demand
Tricel product range
Tricel Vento Septic Tank
Shallow dig tank, strong & robust underground tank, No electrical or moving parts. Ideal for sites with good drainage & plenty of space.
Tricel Novo Sewage Treatment Plant
Durable & long lasting SMC tank, shallow dig tank, easy installation (Plug and Play), long life components.
Tricel Maxus Sewage treatment Plant
Commercial plant. Submerged Aerated Filter (SAF) technology. Ideal for every project over 50 Population Equivalent.
Tricel Puraflo Packaged filter
Ideal for sensitive sites, compliant to British Standard, small footprint.
Tricel Pumping Stations
Pump fluids from one place to another where gravity drainage cannot be used, easy and trouble-free installation
50 YEARS IN BUSINESS
A highly successful multinational corporation with over 50 years’ valuable industry experience
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
Plants available for all capacities, from 1PE up to 50PE. Free advice on request.
FAST DELIVERY
On-time delivery is a core requirement of our successful business operations
Recent projects with Tricel Novo Sewage treatment plant
Extensive industry experience, manufacturing since 1973.
Tricel manufacture deliver & install sewage treatment plants across a wide range of industry sectors throughout Ireland & the UK. Tricel also provide import/export services for our international clients. Top quality material offers outstanding capabilities including long life, durability and is a cost-effective solution for sewage treatment even in the harshest environments.
Tricel has installed many of its Tricel Novo Sewage Treatment Plants across the UK.
Check some of our projects by clicking on the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cesspool is a simple storage vessel with an inlet and no outlet. It’s a sealed storage vessel; all the water coming in stays within the tank. The advantage is it doesn’t need an outlet. The disadvantages are: there is no treatment, the tanks are huge, and it needs regular emptying. Everything which has gone in must be sucked out. Ideal for sites which have got very infrequent use (Sheppard huts, for example).
A septic tank has an inlet and an outlet; it’s a simple overflow system. See how a septic tank works here. The advantages of the septic tank are there is no mechanic and no electricity requirement for it to work. The disadvantages are you are discharging dirty water, and untreated sewage effluent, as a tiny breakdown has occurred in the tank. You can only release water to a drainage field for the water to go through the subsoil to treat the water.
A sewage or package treatment plant has an inlet and an outlet; the wastewater is treated inside the tank. Aeration is provided inside the tank for the aerobic bacteria to feed on the waste and remove it from the liquid. The advantages are the wastewater is treated and can be discharged to a watercourse.
Many package treatment plants are available on the market:
- Trickles filters
- Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC)
- Mobile media bio-reactors
- Activated Sludge systems
- Sequence Batch Reactor systems (SBR)
- Fixed Bed Systems (like the Tricel Novo)
UK sewage treatment plants must comply with EN 12566-3 2005 regulations.
You should also hire a professional to install your sewage treatment system. For any sewage treatment plants you intend to install, you should also check your local guidelines to determine if planning permission is required.
A sewage treatment plant is where domestic wastewater and sewage are treated. The sewage treatment plants break down organic matter through the primary settlement and aeration chambers. Sewage treatment plants require little maintenance and have low running costs, and sewage effluent is discharged into drainage fields or watercourses.
For example, the required standards are 20:30:20 for BOD, SS, and NH4.
Tricel® has achieved an 11:16:9 result during independent testing.
In order for the biomass to reach its optimum purification, it may take up to 16 weeks.
You may be able to discharge directly into a watercourse or to a percolation area depending on your region. Find out which option is best for you by contacting your local council.
The sewage treatment plant’s size depends on the effluent volume from your house. It is determined by the number of people using the system, which is calculated based on the number of bedrooms in your home. If you need further information, contact our team.
Occasionally, your sewage treatment plant will need to be emptied due to the accumulated sludge inside – usually once a year. The frequency of emptying your treatment plant depends on its size and usage. See our dedicated page about desludging septic tanks and wastewater treatment plants.
1) to prevent surface water from entering the tank and overloading the system as this can inhibit growth of the bacteria and could reduce the effluent quality.
2) to prevent water getting into blower housing which can harm the control panel and the air blower.
Learn more about Tricel Novo risers.
Get in touch