Sewage Treatment Plants

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Sewage treatment plants are used to treat wastewater in environments where access to mains drainage is not possible, making the water suitable for discharge into a watercourse or drainage field.

Unlike a cesspit or septic tank, a sewage treatment plant treats the sewage inside to a safe level, eliminating the risk of potential diseases being discharged in the effluent.

When a sewage treatment plant fails, it can have devastating effects, with essential facilities like toilets becoming unusable as well as potentially dangerous gases being released from the unit.

At Mawdsleys Pump Services, we provide a complete installation, repair and maintenance service for sewage treatment plants and can provide on-site fixes for common faults.

Too much effluent, plant needs emptying
Blower not turning on or not pumping air
Pump failure or underperformance
Bad smells coming from the unit
Sewage treatment plant has gone septic
Pump alarm is sounding
Toilet facilities are no longer working properly
Problems with the soakaway
Compressor motor failure or underperformance
Treated effluent not meeting targets

To prevent common faults from developing, it is highly recommended that you have your sewage treatment plant services by an expert on an annual basis.

If you have an emergency problem with your sewage treatment plant, don’t hesitate – call Mawdsleys today on 0117 954 8030, we offer a 24/7 emergency pump repair service.

Discharge Consent for Sewage Treatment Plants

If you have a sewage treatment plant, you will need to get discharge consent before releasing sewage. Mawdsleys Pump Services can assist with discharge water testing and acquiring discharge consent for your unit.

To ensure that the effluent being discharged by your sewage treatment plant does not harm the environment or pose a health risk, it must not exceed enforced limits of elements such as suspended solids or ammonia.

To ensure your plant meets the required standards, Mawdsleys can carry out water testing which highlights any elements found in your plant’s effluent that are above the maximum limits.

There are 3 common methods of sewage treatment and disposal: septic tanks, cesspits/cesspools and sewage treatment plants. Whilst all have their own drawbacks and benefits, sewage treatment plants are now the recommended systems for disposing of waste when not running on a mains water system:

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Cesspit / Cesspool Cesspits are sealed underground tanks designed to simply store waste, no treatment occurs and the tank has no outlet meaning it must be emptied by a licenced professional.	Lower installation costs.	Sewage inside is not treated. Must be emptied when full. Can cause pollution if damaged. Difficult to sell a property that relies on cesspit system.
Septic Tanks Septic tanks store and partially break down organic waste, making the effluent suitable for discharge in some areas.	Lower installation costs.	Must be emptied on an annual basis. Causes pollution and can harm wildlife as effluent is not 100% clean.
Sewage Treatment Plants Sewage treatment plants use microbial technologies to break down organic waste, making it safe for discharge. There are many different types of sewage treatment plants available to suit all requirements.	Treats sewage inside to a safe level. Eliminates the risk of potential diseases being discharged in the effluent.	Requires regular servicing and emptying.

Bespoke Design and Installation

Nationwide 24-Hour Breakdown Attendance 365 days per year

Telemetry Units and Full Monitoring Systems

Compressor Motor Rewind and Replacement

Service Plans to allow smooth operation

Upgrade of Equipment to meet Guidelines

Pump Equipment Repair or Replacement Service

Can I install my own sewage treatment plant?

Whilst it is possible to install your own sewage treatment plant, we would highly recommend that you do not attempt this without the right knowledge and equipment.

How much does a sewage treatment plant costs?

In domestic premises, costs start from £2000+ VAT subject to size of treatment plant. The installation price is subject to a site survey

How does a sewage treatment plant work?

Sewage treatment plants break down solid waste to convert wastewater into a cleaner and more environmentally friendly substance.

Do sewage treatment plants need planning permission?

When installing a sewage treatment plant, you must have building regulations approval and you may also need planning permission.

How often should a sewage treatment plant be serviced?

To ensure that your plant performs efficiently and is not at risk of breaking down, it is recommended to have a service performed by a professional pump engineer on an annual basis.

What are the general binding rules?

The general binding rules are a set of rules that govern small sewage discharges from septic tanks or sewage treatment plants in England. The rules include limits of the amount of water that can be discharged as well as the quality of the water and where the water is discharged.

If you own the property that uses the sewage treatment plant then you are classed as the ‘operator’ of the plant and must meet these rules or apply for a permit if you do not.

Download the full general binding rules for sewage discharges (SSDs).