Understanding Septic Tank Servicing Requirements in the UK
If you’re a homeowner with a sewage treatment plant in the UK, regular servicing is crucial for its efficient operation and environmental compliance. Neglecting this essential maintenance can lead to various problems with your sewage treatment plant and become far more costly in the long run.
System failures as a result of neglecting servicing can cause sewage to back up into your property, leading to significant inconvenience and potential health hazards. Untreated wastewater discharged from a malfunctioning treatment plant can pollute local rivers, streams and lakes, harming wildlife and the environment. Additionally, faulty sewage treatment systems can pose health risks due to the spread of bacteria and viruses. To compound these issues, non-compliance with regulations around servicing and maintenance can also result in hefty fines and legal action from official bodies.
Key Septic Tank Service Requirements in the UK
To ensure your sewage treatment plant functions optimally and adheres to UK regulations, consider the following service requirements:
- Regular Inspections
It is important to regularly inspect your sewage treatment plant to identify potential issues, check for blockages and assess the overall health of the system. You should aim to do this at least once a year, and professional help is available. - Desludging and Desludging Tank Emptying
Arguably the most important maintenance of your plant is sewage treatment plant desludging. This is where a professional like the Owls Hall team will remove accumulated sludge and solids, preventing system overload and ensuring efficient treatment. - Pumping of Effluent Pump
Another vital maintenance task usually performed during professional septic tank servicing is effluent pumping, designed to remove any blockages or debris that may hinder the pump’s performance and affect the overall system. - Biological Treatment Unit Cleaning
Every two or three years, or as recommended by your sewage treatment plant manufacturer, the biological treatment unit should be cleaned. This is to remove accumulated sludge and biomatter, ensuring optimal biological treatment. - Electrical Component Checks
While performing the regular inspections already recommended, it’s a good idea to check electrical components. This will help you quickly spot and fix any electrical system failures that may affect the sewage treatment plant’s operation. - Compliance with Regulations
We would also recommend regular monitoring and record-keeping to ensure compliance with all regulations. You should regularly monitor the sewage plant’s performance and keep a record of all maintenance and servicing activities you either perform yourself or pay a professional to do.
Tips For DIY Sewage Treatment Plant Maintenance
There are several things you can do yourself to keep your sewage treatment plant running well and help to prevent any long-term performance issues that require costly sewage treatment plant repairs. Firstly, it’s essential that you do not flush non-biodegradable items down your toilet or plugs. Items like wipes, sanitary products, condoms and other non-biodegradable products should be placed in the bin rather than flushed into your sewage treatment plant to cause blockages and build-ups. Also, you should also consider your overall water usage and try to limit it where possible, reducing the load on your wastewater treatment plant. Adding some rainwater harvesting to your property will help in this area, either in the form of a simple water butt or advanced rainwater harvesting system. And finally, regularly check your systems for any signs of trouble. Look out for foul odours, slow drains or pooling water around the tank, all of which may indicate issues that a professional can help with.
But the most important thing you can do to properly look after your sewage treatment system is to work with a professional servicing company like Owls Hall Environmental. We have the experience, expertise and equipment to maintain your treatment plant for years to come, keeping it running as well as it was the first day it was installed.
Contact us today for sewage treatment plant installation, servicing and repairs.