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Septic Tank Installation

Septic tank installations across Surrey and Hampshire

Septic Tank Installation

Hampshire & Surrey Septic Tank Installation

Alton Pump Services are the South’s leading suppliers and installers of home sewage treatment plants, septic tanks and pump stations.  We design and install septic tank systems and sewage plants throughout Hampshire, Surrey, London and across the South.

Septic tanks manage the wastewater for rural homes and businesses and are typically installed in remote properties that cannot be connected to the public sewage network. With facilities in both Hampshire and Surrey, we are your local experts in wastewater treatment. If you require a tank for a new build property, or need to replace your old tank, call our team on: 01420 561661.

Septic Tank Regulations

Your local Water and Sewage company will be responsible for the pipe work that runs from the boundary of your property.  As a property owner you are responsible for the waste from your property’s toilets, sinks, showers and kitchen appliances until the pipework meets with a main sewer.  If you aren’t connected to the mains, you will be responsible for the treatment and removal of waste from your property.

General Binding Rules for small sewage discharges

Rules introduced in 2015 by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs means any new systems septic tank or cesspit systems must not pollute the land and dictate where a system can be located, and how the waste can be discharged. As of the 1st of January 2015 if you have a new soakaway installed for foul water it has to conform to BS 6297: 2007 and the installation must be signed off by building control. If you do not do this, without obtaining a permit from the EA not only are you breaking the law, you will have to rectify this prior to selling your house. If your discharge to the ground was before this date, then you still have to comply with the General Binding Rules, or get a Permit for the discharge from the Environment Agency.

Installing a septic tank requires standard planning permission and building regulations approval. As part of the planning process it is important to review the following:

  • The volume of sewage your property will discharge
  • Where the treated wastewater will be released
  • If your property is in a protected zone.

Septic Tank and Soakaway Regulations 2020

In 2020 the  Environment Agency regulations governing septic tanks came into full effect.  The regulations stipulate that septic tanks can no longer discharge directly into a watercourse. Failing to comply could lead to a fine of up to £100,000.

Building Regulations 2010 – Drainage and waste disposal

Building regulations state that it is a legal responsibility of the property owner to ensure that their waste treatment system doesn’t ’cause pollution, a health hazard or a nuisance’.

The regulations outline the requirements for septic tanks, drainage fields, cesspits and sewage treatment plants. Local authorities can check that your system is:

  • Correctly located
  • Suitable size for the property (or properties)
  • Appropriate for the local ground conditions
  • Maintained regularly to avoid environmental pollution.
septic tank installation

SEPTIC TANK , CESSPIT OR SOAKAWAY – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

WHAT IS A SEPTIC TANK?

A septic tank is an underwater sedimentation tank used for wastewater treatment as a result of biological decomposition and drainage. Septic tanks can come in all different shapes and sizes. Older tanks may be brick built or concrete, modern ones are made of reinforced plastic. Septic tanks differ to cesspits as they are not sealed. Bacteria inside the tank breaks down the solid waste decomposing it more rapidly allowing the liquids to separate.

Septic tanks don’t have any mechanical parts or perform any treatment of the waste.  The process is:

  • Waste enters the tank.
  • Waste separates into three different layers.
  • Middle layer of separated waste water leaves the tank via soakaway system.
  • Solids are broken down due to the bacteria.

WHAT IS A SOAKAWAY?

A soakaway system is a network of slotted or perforated pipes typically built to reduce standing surface water. They consist of a large hole or pit that receives surface rainwater via a drainage pipe, which then percolates through the soil.    Designed to store a large volume of water, a soakaway slowly releases water into the ground (i.e. in a heavy downpour) to help prevent high volumes of runoff entering the main sewer system and overwhelming it. By installing a soakaway the risk of flooding is reduced.

Soakaways can also be used to dispose of the effluent from septic tanks. As part of a septic tank system, the soakaway treats the effluent, allowing waste water to percolate through the sub soils via a drainage field – designed to add additional treatment to the water. Remaining contents of the tank are removed at regular intervals by a tank emptying company.

WHAT IS A DRAINAGE FIELD?

A drainage field is a system of infiltration pipes placed in trenches to safely discharge effluent to the ground. Sewage effluent, even from a sewage treatment plant, contains bacteria and viruses. These must be digested by the aerobic natural soil bacteria, which cannot live lower than 1 metre below ground, due to the lack of air. The field must be constructed in a certain way that allows for the effluent to be treated in the soil through aerobic digestion.

WHAT IS A CESSPIT/ CESSPOOL?

Put simply a cesspit is a holding tank for waste. Waste does not soak away – it stays there until the tank is emptied. There is no treatment of the waste that goes in, it simply separates into three layers within the tank. Because of the gas build up in the pit an exhaust is used to allow the gases to escape.  As a result of the toxic, untreated nature of the waste, cesspits pose a greater threat to the environment if they fail. Cesspits require more emptying than septic tanks which can become expensive, so consequently they are not as common.

 

Installing A Septic Tank

IDENTIFY LOCATION FOR THE SEPTIC TANK

Septic tanks are installed below ground. As such you will need to identify a suitable area to bury the tank away from utility lines or tree roots  The tank should in installed level and have sufficient ventilation.

SOIL QUALITY

During the survey process the soil quality should be checked. The soil composition can effect the way the system should be set up and the design of the corresponding soakaway.

The size and location of the soakaway is adjusted according to the permeability of the soil. Sandy and undisturbed soil typically deliver the best results as compacted ground soil slows the water flow allow less time for the filtration process. Gravel rich or loose soil can cause water to drain too quickly.

WHY DO SEPTIC TANK SOAKAWAYS FAIL?

The integrity of your soakaway system is reliant on several factors. This includes: the maintenance of the tank, the soil type, the soil quality, the height of the ground water table and also the specification of the septic system.

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLTION

Alton Pump Services provide property owners peace of mind that your septic tank installation will be completed professionally and efficiently.  From guiding you on the location and size of your septic tank, through to supply, installation, maintenance and tank emptying – we will help you with the entire process.

Alton Drainage Services

  • Blocked Sinks
  • Blocked Shower
  • Blocked Toilet
  • Blocked Septic Tank
  • Blocked Cesspit
  • Blocked Downpipe
  • Descaling & Root Removal
  • Drain Excavations
  • Sewer Repair
  • Grease Traps
  • Interceptor Cleaning
  • Gully & Storm Drain Cleaning

Septic Tank Installation Near You

If your property is in a rural location around Alton in Hampshire, like Four Marks, Alresford as well as Medstead, Ropley, Chawton. Including Beech, Beech, Bentley, Liss or Surrey like; Haslemere, Farnham, Crondall, Tilford, Churt, Elstead or Frensham – it’s likely that you will have off mains drainage. This means that you will have a self contained drainage system which will take the waste from your property. Get in touch with our team for septic tank installation and maintenance services on: 01420 561661.

WHY CHOOSE ALTON PUMP SERVICES?

EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS

Our knowledge and experience is second to none. We have the skills and training to resolve even the most challenging issues.

REPUTATION FOR QUALITY

All our work is carried out to the highest standards – this keeps our customers happy and returning to us year after year.

24/7 CALL OUT

Problems occur when you least expect it. Our engineers are on hand 24/7 to assist.

For professional pump & drain services Call: 01420 561661 today