Wastewater Treatment

Cesspits

A cesspit or cesspool is a sealed tank that is used to collect sewage and that does not discharge to the environment. It has no outlet and therefore requires regular emptying. There is no requirement for a permit for a cesspit, but you do need to make sure it doesn’t leak or overflow. Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency (England) have guidelines that must be adhered to and we at Egan Waste Services can advise you on these requirements, and arrange for your cesspit to be emptied on the necessary basis as to prevent any overspill, unpleasant odours and blockages. Cesspits are designed to be trouble free, but you should ensure the following:

Empty the system regularly. Regular emptying depends on many elements, that including the size of the property, size of the tank, the number of occupants and usage, such as toileting, bathing or showering each day.
Don’t allow flammable or hazardous liquids to enter the system.
 

Septic Tanks

A septic tank is designed to collect sewage and waste water that is disposed into a soakaway.

The older tank usually comprises of one or two chambers and as sewage and waste water enters the tank, the solids are encouraged to settle and begin to decompose in the first chamber. Meanwhile, liquids flow through to a second settlement chamber to allow any smaller suspended solids to settle before exiting the tank into the soakaway and then finally into the environment.

As an ‘operator’ of a septic tank or a waste water (or sewage) treatment plant you must check you meet the general binding rules. You must apply for a permit with Natural Resources Wales or the Environment Agency (England) if you don’t.?

You are defined as an operator if any of the following is true; you own the property that uses the system; you own a property that shares the system with other properties - each property owner is an operator, and you’re jointly responsible for complying with the general binding rules; you have a written agreement with the property owner that says you’re responsible for the system’s maintenance, for example, you are renting and it is in your tenancy agreement.

Septic tanks are designed to be trouble free, but you should ensure the following:

• Use biologically friendly cleaning products
• Have the tank de-sludged regularly, this may be at least, every six months
• Don’t allow commercial chemicals, bleach, medicines or hygiene products to enter the system
• The bacteria in the tank is vital to the biological process, and Egan Waste Services has the expertise to allow the tank to be serviced to meet the necessary requirements.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: before the 1st January 2020 all Septic Tanks within Wales & England that currently discharge to surface water will need to have been upgraded or replaced with a Sewage Treatment Plant.

Natural Resources Wales, the Environment Agency, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) introduced new regulation changes in January 2015 stating:

"You must use a small sewage treatment plant to treat the sewage if you're discharging to a surface water such as a river or stream.  A small sewage treatment plant (also known as a package treatment plant) uses mechanical parts to treat the liquid so it's clean enough to go into a river or stream.

Discharges from septic tanks directly to surface water will not be allowed under the general binding rules. If you have a septic tank that discharges directly to a surface water you will need to replace or upgrade your treatment system by 1 January 2020, or, when you sell your property if before this date."

If you live in Wales or England and currently have a Septic Tank that discharges to surface water you might need to replace your tank with a Sewage Treatment Plant.

The options given are:

• Connect to mains sewer
• Install a drainage field or infiltration system
• Replace your Septic Tank with a Sewage Treatment Plant

If the first two options are not possible, then you will need to upgrade to a Sewage Treatment Plant.

Look no further than Egan Waste to install your Sewage Treatment Plant, that will suit your requirements and budget.

Waste Water (Sewage) Treatment Plants

Sewage treatment plants are the environmentally preferred alternative to septic tanks and cesspits and are becoming more prevalent as a durable waste solution in areas where mains sewers are not available.

If you have, or you share a waste water (sewage) treatment plant, you’ll have the support of Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency (England). The aeration process breaks down the waste and produces a higher quality effluent that is partially treated and unpolluted enough to dispose of without harm to the environment. The waste water (sewage) treatment plant process and care are similar to that of a septic tank but mechanical components provide a further process to help break down the solids in turn producing a cleaner, more environmentally friendly effluent.

Wastewater and sewage are fed into the primary settlement tank where solids and liquids separate and the liquid flows into the biozone chamber. In that chamber, a pump aerates the waste and encourages the good bacteria in order to digest the organic matter, breaking it down and cleansing it. As it leaves the final chamber, the effluent can be up to 95 percent clean and suitable for discharge into a watercourse, ditch or land drainage system. Although subject to consent by Natural Resources Wales or the Environment Agency (England).

Septic Tank, Treatment Plant & Soakaway Installation and Repairs

With over 40 years’ experience in the supply, installation and repair of cesspits, septic tanks, waste water (sewage) treatment plants and soakaways, we can offer a service that is second to none. We can provide all makes and models, and can advise you on the most suitable arrangement that meets your location and budget. At Egan Waste Services, we are conversant with the current rules and legislation required for all installations and have had proven records of such at commercial properties including hotels. We can also provide you with advice on current legislation, or, feel free to visit https://www.gov.uk/permits-you-need-for-septic-tanks . Our advisors can also provide a percolation test and report that will advise you on the requirements needed for your property.

Interceptor (Separator) Servicing

Egan Waste provides a safe and reliable interceptor cleaning and maintenance service.

The service and maintenance of interceptors, also known as separators, is essential for legislative reasons. Environmental standards, which should be followed, state that your interceptors, or separators should be serviced at least twice a year.

We can service / maintain the gullies, manholes and ensure that the interceptor chambers are cleared and cleaned. We offer a maintenance service for which we carry out all these services at the same time, therefore reducing your costs and keeping your premises working at its highest level, and ensuring legality.

Confined Spaces

Working in confined spaces presents complications and dangers, as well as strict health & safety regulations that control the people who are required to carry out the work. Egan Waste Services can provide competent and experienced confined space operatives, trained to city and guilds standards for your requirements, whether that be for interceptor servicing, tank entry and cleaning, drainage pit surveying etc. Safety is our first priority, so our teams will always arrive on site fully equipped with gas monitoring equipment, resuscitation, retrieval and other safety equipment. We will also carry out and supply risk assessments and method statements before starting work. Therefore, we will ensure everyone’s health and safety is paramount and leaving you with the peace of mind whilst we carry out the necessary task in hand.