Pollution Control. Klargester Off-mains. Market Leading Off-mains Sewage Solutions. klargester.com

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1 Pollution Control Klargester Off-mains Market Leading Off-mains Sewage Solutions klargester.com

2 Off-mains Drainage: Get It Right First Time......install a BioDisc BioDisc is designed to exceed current effluent standards An increasing number of local authorities insist on treatment plants rather than septic tanks BioDisc is easily installed and simple to maintain The system is quiet and odour free BioDisc will enhance the value of rural properties BioDisc systems are manufactured in a range of sizes to meet different population requirements Below ground installation minimises visual impact Carries a BBA and IAB Certificate Septic tanks are not the answer. CIRIA Technical Note 146 reported that several thousand septic tank soakaways fail each year. Part H2 of the 2000 Building Regulations state that Septic tank effluent can be harmful. Recent reports issued by the DTLR and CIRIA all point out that septic tank soakaways are a major cause of failure. In all cases a treatment plant should be considered ahead of a septic tank. Septic tanks only partially treat sewage Effluent through septic tanks can be a major cause of pollution Some areas of the UK and Ireland now prohibit the installation of septic tanks Future legislation will demand better performance which septic tanks cannot deliver The use of septic tanks can pollute gardens and properties Your property can be devalued by inadequate sewage treatment facilities Unsatisfactory off-mains sewage disposal proposals can adversely affect the planning process Septic tanks do not work in areas of high water table The decision on whether to grant planning permission by local authorities can be based on an assessment of the impact of foul drainage facilities Untreated effluent can flow from a septic tank and put public health at risk Septic Tank A septic tank system is likely to fail if it is installed in unsuitable land. For a septic tank to work efficiently the site must have: Suitable sub-soil Favourable topography and land area The correct level of water table which must be at least 1 metre below floor of soakaway trench A satisfactory percolation value Effluent quality from a septic tank does contain high levels of pollutant and caution must be observed The data obtained from a thorough assessment of these criteria can be used to ensure that both the tank and drainage network are adequately sized. Effluent Pumping When the immediate soil conditions are unfavourable for drainage, by using an effluent pumping package, the septic tank discharge can be raised to a higher level in the subsoil or even to a remote location. 2

3 Treatment Plant Unless the site assessment can totally justify the use of a septic tank, planning authorities are likely to favour the use of a packaged waste water treatment plant. The BioDisc treatment plant accelerates natural treatment processes to produce higher quality effluent which meets strict Consent to Discharge standards. This effluent can then discharge direct to subsoil or to a natural watercourse (see diagram). However even treated effluent may not be permissible where porous underlying strata contain valuable potable and ground water resources. In some cases a drainage mound can be used with a BioDisc. Cesspool Installed when neither a septic tank nor BioDisc would be suitable, a cesspool is a sealed container which provides no treatment to waste water and must therefore be emptied at regular intervals. It is usually only installed in dense clay, in locations where no discharge point is available, or to serve properties such as holiday homes where usage is intermittent and where water resources require protection. Pumping Off-site It is sometimes feasible to pump waste water off-site to a nearby main sewer. Sub surface irrigation - The heart of most on-site effluent disposal systems. Who s Who in Off-mains Drainage It is vital to address off-mains drainage issues as early as possible in your project, in fact your evaluation of the site s drainage characteristics should influence your assessment of the plot s overall development potential. You should also draw on local expertise and liaise with the relevant authorities before submitting a planning application. Remember too that individual sites can vary greatly, even within a small geographical area. Planners: These consult with the Environment Agency as well as Environmental Health and Building Control when preparing planning. Environmental Regulator: The Environment Agency and its equivalents in Scotland and Ireland are responsible for protecting national water resources and issue Consents to Discharge where appropriate. Building Control: Responsible for ensuring compliance with the drainage requirements of the Building Regulations. Environmental Health: Usually consulted by Planning and Building Control before approvals are issued. Mortgage Providers: May need to be satisfied that the property has a sound and sustainable drainage system. Construction Insurers: Organisations such as NHBC will provide a warranty on dwellings as long as the installation of the drainage system is in accordance with their Standards. Such insurance is often a prerequisite for successful mortgage applications. Sub surface irrigation systems following treatment plant are 20% smaller than from a septic tank. In areas with a high water table, drainage mounds may be more suitable. Klargester have Agrément Certification on a drainage mound. Top Soil Geotextile membrane Drainage network Typical 20-50mm stone rejects 3

4 Site Assessment & System Selection The flow chart below gives an overview of the principal off-mains drainage options, helping you select the best solution for your site. Whatever system you choose, you must satisfy the relevant authorities that it will: Domestic drainage scheme required? Treat or contain the effluent, providing a long-term sustainable solution Be correctly specified to cope with expected usage levels Pose no threat to water resources Prevent nuisance Is a foul sewer available locally? Is a gravity connection possible? Connect to sewer Can you pump waste water off-site? Pump off-site Is the site large enough for a septic tank and drainage field? Is the Step 1 visual inspection assessment percolation test favourable? Is the Step 2 (trial hole) favourable? Is the Step 3 satisfactory? No risk of groundwater pollution or effluent migration Install a septic tank with and drainage field Can you pump to an alternative location? Pump to a different location? Is the Step 3 percolation test satisfactory? No risk of groundwater pollution or effluent migration Install a septic tank with pump and drainage field Is it feasible to discharge treated effluent to a drainage field? Is the Step 1 visual inspection favourable? Is the Step 2 assessment (trial hole) favourable? Is the Step 3 percolation test satisfactory? No risk of groundwater pollution or effluent migration Can you pump effluent to a drainage mound? Is the Step 3 percolation test satisfactory? Install a BioDisc and drainage field or drainage mound Is a suitable watercourse available for discharge? Is consent available from the Environment Agency? Install a BioDisc and discharge to watercourse Is a cesspool an acceptable and permissible alternative? Install a cesspool No solution possible 4

5 On-site: Critical Factors to Consider As the flow chart shows, site assessment is a vital stage in the system selection process. A septic tank installation in unfavourable conditions is likely to result in failure and expense. To minimise assessment costs, particularly for sites which prove unsuitable, Klargester recommends a 3 step procedure. Is Step 1 - Consultation & Visual Inspection - Favourable? Make an initial visual assessment of the land s suitability for septic tank drainage: 1. Consult the Environmental Regulator and other sources of local knowledge. 2. The drainage field should be sited on land sloping away from the property. 3. There should be adequate access for desludging vehicles. 4. Any stream, well, borehole or spring on-site can affect the positioning of the unit. 5. The site area and proximity of the site boundaries will help determine whether an adequate drainage field can be installed. 6. Water loving plant species could indicate poor drainage. Is Step 2 - The Trial Hole - Favourable? If the results in Step 1 are satisfactory, further investigations can take place which involve breaking the ground: 7. Well drained soil is usually brown, reddish or yellow. Grey or blue subsoil often means heavy clay or poor drainage. 8. The position of the water table must not rise to within 1 metre of the effluent distribution trench. 9. There should be at least 0.5 metre of suitable subsoil available below the base of the distribution trench. Is Step 3 - Percolation Testing - Favourable? If Steps 1 and 2 are favourable, it is essential that you carry out a percolation test in accordance with BS 6297 and building regulations. The percolation test will indicate soil porosity values. Excessively rapid percolation can threaten groundwater resources, whilst very slow percolation can result in surface ponding. Percolation test results will help you decide on the area of land needed to provide a sustainable drainage field Building Regulations Part H2 now provide new guidelines on percolation testing which indicate that the test has to succeed within certain criteria. Even when tests fall outside this criteria, treatment plant may be an acceptable option. Conclusions In the site shown, the left hand soil profile shows: A low water table Suitable subsoil Advantageous topography Good access Adequate land area These indicators, when combined with satisfactory percolation, would all suggest that a septic tank system may be sustainable. On the right side of the site a high water table, shallow subsoil and heavy clay suggest that percolation testing results will be unsatisfactory and an alternative disposal system should be installed. Klargester will provide further advice

6 Universally Specified & Approved Once you ve decided on the most appropriate system for your site, you need to install quality equipment which provides a practical and reliable long-term solution. Klargester s continuous R and D programme has resulted in widely specified products which are easy to install, user-friendly, economical and environmentally safe. This commitment to quality is recognised in the award of British Board of Agrément Certification for Klargester products; the company is also accredited under BS ISO 9001: 2000 quality management systems. BioDisc Sewage Treatment Plant BioDisc is Klargester s premier sewage treatment plant and offers a high performance, low maintenance system producing effluent which meets the rigorous quality standards demanded by the Environmental Agency. It is the only domestic treatment plant using a Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC). Operating costs are minimal, with an extremely quiet and reliable low power electric motor. BioDisc uses rotating discs as a medium for supporting bacteria which carry out the aerobic treatment process. Primary and final settlement are contained within the unit which also has a totally unique flow management system to provide optimum performance under all circumstances. The 2000 Building Regulations require that soakaway overload be avoided. BioDisc flow management uniquely achieves this. BioDisc is fitted with an unobtrusive low profile cover which provides full access for maintenance and annual desludge. For extra peace of mind and guaranteed long-term performance, Klargester offers a BioDisc service package. The exceptional quality of BioDisc is recognised worldwide, having achieved DIN approval in Germany, SFT certification in Norway, IAB for Ireland, NSF approval in the USA and UK Agrément certification. AirFlow Sewage Treatment Plant Klargester AirFlow is a low maintenance single piece treatment plant incorporating both primary and aerobic treatment. Using modern compressed air technology to bubble effluent through a static media, it offers good quality effluent with a low operating cost and has been specifically designed to eliminate all moving parts from within the underground chamber. Controls are located in a remote housing. The product has a small footprint and ground level cover and as such, is ideal for domestic applications. AirFlow has full Agrément Certification in the UK and Ireland and has a proven track record over many years. Klargester offer a full maintenance backup service on AirFlow. Alpha Septic Tank Subjected to rigorous performance tests, including a series conducted under stringent Swedish standards, the Klargester septic tank is robustly constructed from corrosion and maintenance free materials and has become the industry standard and market leader. A unique baffle arrangement minimises turbulence ensuring optimum settlement, even of fine solids, thereby maximising the life of the drainage field. It is important to desludge a septic tank annually to protect the drainage field from clogging. Recently introduced guidelines require that particular care should be taken with regard to soakaway design, particularly when using septic tanks. 6

7 Cesspool Where neither a septic tank nor a BioDisc or pump can be used, a Klargester cesspool provides a reliable alternative. Easy to install and maintain, all our cesspools are factory tested to ensure they are watertight and structurally sound. An optional early warning alarm is available to indicate that emptying is required. Emptying frequency depends on the size of the cesspool and the occupancy level of the property. Recently introduced building regulations effectively increase the minimum capacity of a cesspool for a domestic property of four people to 31,600 litres. Off-mains Water Specialists Recognised leaders for over 35 years in the design and manufacture of off-mains drainage solutions, Klargester is in the ideal position to help you get it right first time. More than just a supplier of products, Klargester maintains close links with regulatory authorities and relevant industry bodies. The Company has also invested in a dedicated technical team which has successfully pioneered industry leading new product developments. Our nationwide team of technically trained sales consultants is qualified to provide in-depth assistance with onsite guidance, product selection and specification. Klargester can also provide expert site assessment and has established a national network of Certified Installers to ensure correct installation of BioDisc plant. Furthermore Klargester provides comprehensive service packages with controlled annual costs to maintain equipment in peak condition and ensure maximum operational life. Delivery & Installation Units are normally delivered by flat bed vehicle and cranage facilities should be available on-site for off-loading. Comprehensive installation instructions are supplied with every unit or we can provide an installation service through our nationwide network of Certified Installers. HillMaster Pumping Stations Klargester manufactures the HillMaster range of packaged pumping stations suitable for use with either raw waste water or settled effluent. Best practice should always be to pump sewage to a mains sewer if there is one within reasonable proximity. Klargester will be pleased to give advice regarding this on an individual site basis. Full 12 Month Warranty A full initial 12 month warranty covering all mechanical and electrical components against malfunction accompanies every BioDisc maintained by Klargester or by a nominated Certified Installer, in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. Nationwide Availability Klargester products can be sourced from your local builders merchant or pollution control specialists. Unique Customer Care Klargester offers a unique and comprehensive care package both before and after care. Throughout the UK, our team of service engineers is always on hand to ensure that Klargester products provide their owners with a long and cost-effective life. Call our Customer Care Department for further information. 7

8 Klargester Off-Mains Solutions Heading Sub-heading BioDisc Sewage Treatment Plants AirFlow Sewage Treatment Plants Sigma Sewage Treatment Plants HillMaster Package Pump Systems Septic Tanks Cesspools Grease Traps Light Liquid Separators Silage Effluent Tanks Reed Beds Rainwater Harvesting Certified Installers Strategically located throughout the UK, Klargester Certified Installers are appointed following rigorous selection procedures which assess their installation expertise, reputation and financial status. These performance criteria, together with their design skills and knowledge of Klargester products are also reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the highest levels of professionalism are maintained. Klargester Service Klargester have a dedicated service division providing maintenance for waste water treatment products. Factory trained engineers are available for site visits as part of a planned maintenance contact or on an on-call basis. In keeping with Company policy of continuing research and development and in order to offer our clients the most advanced products, Klargester reserves the right to alter specifications and drawings without prior notice. Klargester Support Sizing biological treatment plants requires specialist knowledge. Klargester are here to help. We offer the benefit of over 35 years experience free to customers through our Applications Engineers. Free Site Visit To help determine your exact requirements, Klargester offer free site visit support from our team of specialist Area Managers. Please call, fax or click for more information. +44 (0) (0) klargester.com +44 (0) DIN 4261-Toil 2 Z IAB No 00/0094 Issue No. 2: January 2006 Klargester Environmental Head Office: College Road North, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP22 5EW Tel: +44 (0) Sales Office Tel: +44 (0) uksales@klargester.co.uk Klargester Scotland: Tel: +44 (0) Klargester Ireland: NI Tel: +44 (0) ROI Tel: +353 (0) info@klargester.ie klargester.com