Do's and Don'ts
Regular servicing and desludging are essential for maintaining the quality of effluent and ensuring the long-term functionality of sewage treatment plants. By adhering to the following Do’s and Don’ts, homeowners can enjoy many years of trouble-free service from their treatment system. It’s crucial to understand that a sewage treatment plant operates as a biological process, rather than relying solely on mechanical components.
Do's
- The electrical supply to the treatment plant must be maintained constantly.
- Check the aeration pattern in the treatment zone is evenly distributed.
- Check the air pump inlet is free from dirt and the filter is changed if necessary.
- Be aware before you put anything down the sink, toilet or drains.
- When using cleaning products little and often so the treatment plant isn’t overloaded.
- Bleach can be used sparingly.
- It’s best to spread your washing throughout the week.
- Use the same washing, cleaning, dishwashing, and all other cleaning products. The bacteria in the sewage treatment plant work more effectively with cleaning products they are familiar with.
- Service engineer to carry out regular service schedule in accordance with you ‘Operation and Maintenance Manual’.
- The tank to be emptied of excess sludge – the interval is based on the size of the plant and its loading.
Don'ts
- Turn off electrical supply to the sewage treatment plant.
- Strong chemicals, house hold bleach, medicine, mouthwash, garden chemicals, disinfectants, ect. down toilet or sink.
- Put incontinence pads, cotton wool, baby wipes, disposable nappies, tampons, sanitary towels, condoms, ect down the toilet.
- Service the sewage treatment plant unless your trained service engineer.
- Use any replacement parts other than recommended manufactures part.
- Make any alterations, modify, repair, other than permission from the manufacture. Works must be carried out by a trained service engineer.
- Surface water or roof water to enter the sewage treatment plants.
- Macerator fitted to the kitchen sink.
The Environment Agency ask the owner to keep log-book of the past 5 years of all servicing, repairs, and tank emptying. Please check the ‘General Binding Rues’ to make sure your discharge to watercourse or soakaway complies to Environment Agency.
SIGNS OF PROBLEMS
- Inspection lid lifting.
- Wastewater backing up from the sewage treatment plant.
- Sewage treatment plant causing unpleasant odour.
- Land around the sewage treatment plant or soakaway wet, soft, or waterlogged.
- Effluent produced cloudy in colour or grey.
- Septic at discharge point e.g. sample point, watercourse, sewage treatment plant.