Accepted by the Environment Agency for discharge to natural watercourse under Permit Certification.
Utilises the existing tank and fits through the manhole opening, providing a quick and efficient installation procedure.
Septic Tank Conversion Unit
The Mantair septic tank conversion unit is a sewage treatment system specifically designed to fit within an existing septic tank or cesspool, effectively converting the existing tank into a small sewage treatment plant producing a clear, odourless and harmless effluent. The Mantair unit provides a discreet, reliable and affordable solution to sewage treatment for domestic dwellings and small scale commercial premises without mains.
The Mantair septic tank conversion unit is ideal for situations where the existing septic tank is discharging untreated effluent to a watercourse or where a soakaway has failed. The Mantair unit is also ideal for converting Cesspool holding tanks, removing the need for frequent emptying.
No disruptive excavations required, avoiding the disturbance to established gardens.
No electrical pumps or motors installed within the underground treatment zone, providing lower maintenance and servicing costs.
Efficient air blower is economical with low running costs.
Works in high water table areas.
Installations have a lifetime Process Guarantee.
Produces a treated effluent in compliance with the Regulating Authorities.
How does it work
The septic tank conversion unit from Mantair is powered by a small air blower, which can be located in either an existing outbuilding or in a small remote housing. The blower can be located up to 25 metres from the Mantair unit and is powered by domestic 240v electrical supply. It is a connected to the Mantair unit by a small bore MDPE pipe concealed underground. The blower provides the air that is required for the treatment process and to lift the treated effluent to the discharge point.
official installers in South Wales
ALL ASPECTS OF DRAINAGE REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN
Work undertaken for Local Authorities, Landlords and Private Customers
We work on both domestic and commercial properties to ensure that if you are faced with a drainage, septic tank or sewage related problem, we can help sort it out. As a professionally run business we pride ourselves on the comprehensive services we provide and our high levels of customer satisfaction. Our staff have all been trained to the highest standards and are able to offer quick solutions to whatever problem you have.
Once installed, the Mantair septic tank conversion unit separates the existing tank into two compartments / zones. The majority of the existing tank is transformed into an Aeration/Mixing Zone. Air is supplied to this zone via an aerator contained within a draught tube. Within this zone the aeration and mixing encourages the growth of aerobic micro-organisms which degrade the sewage and break down large and heavy solids.
The contents of aeration / mixing zone where the micro-organisms are maintained in suspension are referred to as ‘mixed liquor’. As further flow enters the tank, part of the mixed liquor is displaced into the second compartment, referred to as ‘the final settlement zone’. Here the micro-organisms separate and form a thin sludge. This is continuously returned to the aeration/mixing zone, thus maintaining the levels of micro-organisms in the mixed liquor.
The liquid which remains in the upper part of final settlement zone is the treated effluent which is discharged from the Mantair unit via the Final Effluent Airlift.
The final effluent airlift controls the rate of discharge from the system and prevents any shock hydraulic loads from upsetting the treatment process. The use of an airlift enables the Mantair unit to discharge the effluent at a higher level than the tank inlet.
Specification
Mantair septic tank conversion units are designed to treat domestic sewage and to achieve a final effluent standard that complies with the Environment Agency’s requirements for discharge to a natural watercourse.
Model selection
The Mantair unit is available in population equivalents of (PE) 5 – 25. When sizing a sewage treatment system the British Water Flows & Loads Code of Practice should be used.
European Standard EN12566-3
EN12566-3 is the European Standard for “packaged sewage treatment plants” up to 50 population equivalent. An integral part of the test procedure is structural testing of the packaged plant tankage. As the Mantair conversion unit does not include new tankage, it cannot be tested and EN12566-3 is not applicable.
As there is not a European Standard for ‘in tank’ Conversion Units it is not possible for them to obtain a CE Mark. However, all components used in the manufacture of the Mantair conversion unit comply with the relevant European Standard.
The Environment Agency recognises the Mantair conversion unit as a sewage treatment system and authorises its use under Permit Certification, allowing the treated effluent from the system to be discharged directly into natural watercourses.
The Mantair unit should not be confused with other products marketed as ‘conversion units’ which involve the installation of additional tankage downstream of the existing septic tank. As new tankage is required these products can be tested under the European Standard. These products however do not ‘convert’ the existing septic tank, but provide biological treatment in additional tankage.
Installation
The Mantair septic tank conversion unit is supplied by Mantair and installed by Beacons Drainage ~ Official Installers for Mantair in South Wales (Licensed Contractor offering a comprehensive service. This includes an initial site survey, guidance and advice on system selection, complete installation and commissioning of your treatment plant and full after sales service). The system is not available through wholesale or retail outlets.
For further information or advise, please telephone us on 07817 322201 or contact us by email.
Sewage Treatment Plants
Sewage treatment plants are used in areas of the UK where mains drainage is inaccessible and provide a modern alternative to septic tank systems. Acting as an independent waste water treatment system, sewage treatment plants are designed to promote the growth of Aerobic Micro-organisms which degrade the receiving waste water, producing a treated effluent suitable for discharge to a natural watercourse.
There are various types of sewage treatment plants available in the UK, but these all work on the same principle of developing Aerobic Micro-organisms which reduce the polluting load in the effluent, followed by settlement to remove any fine solids from the treated effluent. This treatment principle for waste water is the same as the principle used at main sewage treatment works for towns and cities, but on a reduced scale. In most instances the level of treatment will enable the effluent to be discharged to a ditch, stream or river after approval from the Environment Agency is sought for England and Wales.
Sewage treatment plants have been available throughout the UK since the early 1980’s. Over the last ten years there has been substantial advances in the design and manufacture of small sewage treatment plants.
This together with more stringent regulations has resulted in sewage treatment plants being the preferred option over septic tanks and cesspools for the disposal of waste water for rural locations.
Sewage treatment plants are typically in the form of ‘single tank’ systems, with the majority of the tank structure being installed below ground with only access covers visible on the surface. The majority of sewage treatment plants operate using an air compressor (air blower). These air compressors are typically housed within a small housing located remote from the sewage treatment tank.
What’s the best sewage treatment plant for you?
Choosing the right sewage treatment plant is essential to ensure value for money, effective long-term performance and compliance with relevant legislation. No sewage treatment plant is the most suitable for every application and therefore choosing a sewage treatment plant that suits the site conditions is essential.
Beacons Drainage is not tied to any particular manufacturer of sewage treatment plants, and as a result of this, we have no vested interest in using any particular manufactures equipment. This enables us to provide our clients with a treatment plant that suits their needs and the site requirements.
For further information or advise, please telephone us on 07817 322201 or contact us by email.
Commercial Sewage Treatment Plants
Certain commercial applications such as pubs, hotels, theme parks, visitors centres and industrial units will require the installation of a ‘packaged sewage treatment plant’ to receive and treat the waste water. These sewage treatment plants are typically designed to treat the sewage to such degree that the resulting ‘treated effluent’ is suitable for discharge to a natural watercourse or underground drainage field / soakaway.
Commercial sewage treatment plants typically contain primary settlement, biological treatment and final settlement zones. They provide treatment for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Suspended Solids (SS) and ammonia (NH4). Some systems have an option of ‘add-on’ sand filters to provide further treatment before discharge. The Environment Agency in England and Wales are responsible for setting the quality of effluent the treatment plant would need to meet, and this standard can vary on each application.
Applications where commercial catering takes place will generate significant volumes of grease and fat which should not be allowed to enter the sewage treatment plant. In these applications a suitably sized grease trap should be installed upstream of the sewage treatment plant.
Here we've installed a 100 person treatment plant, a UV sterilising tank plus a phosphorus tertiary tank. The reason for this trio of treatment systems is that they output into the nearby reservoir, so in order to get the application passed with National Resources Wales we had to make sure the effluent readings were to their standard.
What’s the best sewage treatment plant for you?
Choosing the right sewage treatment plant is essential to ensure value for money, effective long-term performance and compliance with relevant legislation. No sewage treatment plant is the most suitable for every application and therefore choosing a sewage treatment plant that suits the site conditions is essential.
Beacons Drainage is not tied to any particular manufacturer of sewage treatment plants, and as a result of this, we have no vested interest in using any particular manufactures equipment. This enables us to provide our clients with a treatment plant that suits their needs and the site requirements.
For further information or advise, please telephone us on 07817 322201 or contact us by email.
Ground Percolation Testing for New Soakaway Fields
What is a Percolation Test?
“A percolation test (colloquially called a perc test) is a test to determine the water absorption rate of soil (that is, its capacity for percolation) in preparation for the building of a septic drainage field (leach field) or infiltration basin. The results of a percolation test are required to properly design a septic system. In its broadest terms, percolation tests are simply a way of observing how quickly a known volume of water dissipates into the subsoil of a drilled hole of known surface area. While every jurisdiction will have its own laws regarding the exact calculations for the length of line, depth of pit, etc., the testing procedures are the same.”
So basically, there are different soil types, and obviously a sandy fine soil is going to drain water away much faster than a dense thick blue clay will. Blue clay is common in the UK and was actually used over thousands of years as water-proofing for different types of structures.
So obviously, how large your soakaway will need to be, or if you can even install one at all, will depend on which type of soil you’re installing into, and a percolation test is the way to determine this.
Please note: We currently only carry out Ground Percolation Testing for New Soakaway Fields for foul water (Sewage).
Soakaway
Owners of septic tanks and sewage treatment plants who have access to a suitable area of land can consider discharging the overflow effluent into a properly designed and sized drainage field / soakaway.
There are various factors which determine whether a drainage field / soakaway is permitted and whether this disposal method would operate effectively. The location of the proposed drainage field is crucial as certain areas are designated by the Environment Agency as ‘Groundwater Source Protection Zones’. Within these areas the groundwater is extracted and used for drinking water, prohibiting the use of a drainage fields / soakaways in some areas for the disposal of waste water effluent.
The porosity of the sub-strata will also determine if a drainage field / soakaway will work, and if so, the area of soakaway required. To determine the porosity of the sub-strata it is necessary to conduct a Percolation Test which measures the time it takes for water to drop. The results of the percolation test must fall within certain parameters otherwise the drainage field / soakaway would not be permitted. It is also crucial that the area of land where the drainage field / soakaway is to be constructed does not flood or become water logged.
The size of a drainage field / soakaway would be calculated from the results of the percolation test, number of bedrooms within the property and the type of effluent being discharged i.e. septic tank or treated effluent. A drainage field / soakaway receiving the treated effluent from a sewage treatment plant requires 20% less plant area than that of a septic tank.
It is crucial to the operation and lifespan of a drainage field / soakaway that the correct materials are used during construction. Non-flexible perforated underground drainage pipework with slots or holes should be used with a clean stone surround. Coiled land drainage pipework and soakaway crates are not permitted for this use and therefore should not be used.
Drainage fields / soakaways are required to be a minimum of:
10M from a ditch or watercourse;
50M from a water abstraction point;
15M from any building and other soakaway network;
2M from any boundaries.
For further information or advise, please telephone us on 07817 322201 or contact us by email.
Soakaway
Owners of septic tanks and sewage treatment plants who have access to a suitable area of land can consider discharging the overflow effluent into a properly designed and sized drainage field / soakaway.
There are various factors which determine whether a drainage field / soakaway is permitted and whether this disposal method would operate effectively. The location of the proposed drainage field is crucial as certain areas are designated by the Environment Agency as ‘Groundwater Source Protection Zones’. Within these areas the groundwater is extracted and used for drinking water, prohibiting the use of a drainage fields / soakaways in some areas for the disposal of waste water effluent.
The porosity of the sub-strata will also determine if a drainage field / soakaway will work, and if so, the area of soakaway required. To determine the porosity of the sub-strata it is necessary to conduct a Percolation Test which measures the time it takes for water to drop. The results of the percolation test must fall within certain parameters otherwise the drainage field / soakaway would not be permitted. It is also crucial that the area of land where the drainage field / soakaway is to be constructed does not flood or become water logged.
The size of a drainage field / soakaway would be calculated from the results of the percolation test, number of bedrooms within the property and the type of effluent being discharged i.e. septic tank or treated effluent. A drainage field / soakaway receiving the treated effluent from a sewage treatment plant requires 20% less plant area than that of a septic tank.
It is crucial to the operation and lifespan of a drainage field / soakaway that the correct materials are used during construction. Non-flexible perforated underground drainage pipework with slots or holes should be used with a clean stone surround. Coiled land drainage pipework and soakaway crates are not permitted for this use and therefore should not be used.
Drainage fields / soakaways are required to be a minimum of:
10M from a ditch or watercourse;
50M from a water abstraction point;
15M from any building and other soakaway network;
2M from any boundaries.
Ground Percolation Testing for New Soakaway Fields
What is a Percolation Test?
“A percolation test (colloquially called a perc test) is a test to determine the water absorption rate of soil (that is, its capacity for percolation) in preparation for the building of a septic drainage field (leach field) or infiltration basin. The results of a percolation test are required to properly design a septic system. In its broadest terms, percolation tests are simply a way of observing how quickly a known volume of water dissipates into the subsoil of a drilled hole of known surface area. While every jurisdiction will have its own laws regarding the exact calculations for the length of line, depth of pit, etc., the testing procedures are the same.”
So basically, there are different soil types, and obviously a sandy fine soil is going to drain water away much faster than a dense thick blue clay will. Blue clay is common in the UK and was actually used over thousands of years as water-proofing for different types of structures.
So obviously, how large your soakaway will need to be, or if you can even install one at all, will depend on which type of soil you’re installing into, and a percolation test is the way to determine this.
Please note: We currently only carry out Ground Percolation Testing for New Soakaway Fields for foul water (Sewage).
For further information or advise, please telephone us on 07817 322201 or contact us by email.
Septic Tank Installations
Beacons Drainage have been septic tank installers for over 20 years and provides a professional service from an initial site assessment all the way through to installation and commissioning of the chosen septic tank system. For rural locations where mains drainage is unavailable, septic tank installations offer an economical way to dispose of waste water in conjunction with the use of a drainage field (soakaway).
Design
We provide a free advisory service including no obligation site visits and assessments. During our visits we will inspect the existing drainage arrangements and identify the reasons for any occurring problems. Following our site assessment we provide a detailed description and quotations for the works involved.
Delivery
On the majority of projects the chosen sewage treatment plant, septic tank or cesspool will be delivered direct to the site.
Installation
We are accustomed to the correct handling and installation of all makes and models of Septic Tanks.
If you have a requirement for a septic tank installation or need advice regarding a septic tank problem,call us today to find out how we can help on 07817 322201 oremail us
Further Information:
What is a Septic Tank?
Septic tank systems have been widely used in rural areas of the UK since the early 1900’s for areas where mains drainage is not available or the cost of connection is prohibitive.
A septic tank receives all of the waste water from the house, including toilet, laundry, bathroom and kitchen waste. The main purpose of a septic tank is to separate the solid material and allow the sludge formed to undergo a process known as anaerobic digestion. This has the effect of reducing the sludge volume and therefore the frequency of septic tank emptying by vacuum tanker.
The effluent from a septic tank is disposed of to a soakaway. Under no circumstances should it be allowed to discharge to a ditch or stream. Such a discharge is an offence under the Public Health and Water Resources Acts and renders the offender liable to prosecution by the Statutory Authorities. With environmental authorities becoming more stringent, the use of septic tanks has declined in recent years and need for sewage treatment plants has increased.
Requirements surrounding septic tank installations.
Although septic tank installations are a useful way of dealing with waste water, due to recent changes in legislation it is often necessary that a sewage treatment plant would need to be installed to ensure regulatory compliance. For instances where a septic tank installation is suitable it would also be necessary for a suitably sized drainage field to be installed to receive the effluent discharged from the septic tank.
The first stage in determining the suitability of a septic tank installation is to conduct percolation tests to ascertain if the sub-strata is suitable for the installation of a drainage field. Percolation tests identify the porosity of the sub-strata and the size of drainage field required. In situations where the sub-strata is not suitable for a drainage field, a sewage treatment plant would need to be installed with the resulting ‘treated’ effluent being discharged to a watercourse.
How does a septic tank work?
A septic tank receives all of the waste water from the house, including toilet, laundry, bathroom and kitchen waste. The main purpose of a septic tank is to separate the solid material and allow the sludge formed to undergo a process known as anaerobic digestion. This has the effect of reducing the sludge volume and therefore the frequency of septic tank emptying by vacuum tanker.
The effluent from a septic tank is disposed of to a drainage field. Under no circumstances should it be allowed to discharge to a ditch, stream or any other watercourse.
Components of a Septic Tank System
The components of a septic tank system are the septic tank, which in traditionally built systems can be one or two chambers, and the underground drainage field.
Anaerobic digestion takes place within the septic tank whereby anaerobic micro-organisms develop and partially degrade the receiving waste water. Within the septic tank solids settle to the floor of the tank and materials such as tissue float to the top of the liquids and form a scum layer.
Septic Tank Sizing
Septic tank systems should have as a minimum an operating capacity of 2700 litres for up to 4 persons in full time residence. The size should be increased by 150 litres for each additional user. The operating capacity of a septic tank is the volume below the outlet from the tank. If a septic tank does not have enough operating capacity this will result in finer solids passing through the tank and blinding off the drainage field.
In many traditionally built septic tanks, which are constructed from brick or concrete, the operating capacity is less than 2000 litres and as a result these tanks do not operate effectively. Older septic tanks are often smaller in size due to the daily flow being discharged to these tanks at the time of their construction being far less than modern day usage.
Septic Tank Design
Factory made septic tanks are available in glass reinforced plastic (GRP) or polyethylene and should meet the requirements of BS EN 12566-1. These factory made septic tanks are normally a single tank system and are available as a cylindrical or spherical tank. Within these tanks there are baffles which are designed to assist in the settlement and separation of solids and floating materials.
Traditionally built septic tank systems are usually one or two chamber systems. Two chambers systems can be either two separate tanks or a single tank with an internal partition wall. The floor of the tank is usually constructed of concrete and the walls are suitably rendered brickwork, concrete or prefabricated blocks. The tank should clearly be watertight and have the strength to withstand the weight of liquid contained and any external pressure.
Other:
Septic Tank Problems -Please see our desktop version of the website for more information.
For further information or advise, please telephone us on 07817 322201 or contact us by email.
Cesspit | Cesspool
A Cesspit is an underground chamber used for the storage of sewage. The appearance of a cesspit is similar to that of a ‘hand dug’ water well.
Cesspit’s were traditionally constructed by digging a cylindrical void into the ground of approximately one metre in diameter, and typically to a depth possible without machinery. The void would be lined with bricks, positioned approximately 2” apart, thus keeping small voids between the bricks. A concrete slab would be positioned on top of the bricks with a manhole access point.
The idea of a cesspit was to allow liquid sewage to soak into the ground through the soil base of the cesspit, and gaps between the bricks. The remaining sewage solids would settle and compost in the base of cesspit. This would have the effect of ‘blinding’ the base of the cesspit, preventing any of the liquids from soaking away.
The use of cesspit’s has not been permissible for some time, due to the significant pollution risks. The Public Health Act of 1936 prohibits their use, but this represents a consolidation of a number of previous Acts. Records show that a Government committee in 1875 stated that this style of cesspit be ‘utterly condemned’ (ref. Sewage Disposal Works, published 1890).
Cesspit’s should not be confused with Cesspools. Cesspools are sealed, watertight underground tanks designed to simply collect sewage without processing, treating or allowing the sewage to soakaway.
Cesspool
A Cesspool is merely a holding tank designed for the containment of sewage. Cesspools are typically constructed from fibreglass and are designed to be installed underground. A cesspool has one inlet for the connection of foul drainage and one socket for the connection of a vent. A cesspool doesn’t have an outlet. Therefore, if a soakaway / drainage field is present then an alternative form of sewage tank is installed, most likely a septic tank.
Cesspools should not be confused with septic tanks. Septic tanks provide partial treatment of sewage and have an outlet which connects to an underground soakaway / drainage field. Click here for further information on septic tanks.
A Cesspool would require frequent emptying by a Licensed Waste Carrier, and as a result, can cost the owner of the cesspool thousands of pounds per year in emptying charges. A cesspool should only be installed in situations where an alternative waste water disposal method cannot be achieved.
Cesspool Conversion
Some cesspools can be ‘converted’ into small sewage treatment systems by installing a Mantair conversion unit. The Mantair unit is designed to fit within an existing cesspool or septic tank, ‘converting’ the existing tank into small sewage treatment system. After installation of the Mantair unit the cesspool tank would only require emptying on an annual basis.
The treated effluent produced from the Mantair unit is suitable for discharge direct to a natural watercourse, or underground soakaway / drainage field. The Environment Agency recognises the Mantair unit as a sewage treatment system and authorises its use under Permit Certification, allowing the treated effluent from the system to be discharged directly into natural watercourses. Click here for further information on cesspool conversion.
For further information or advise, please telephone us on 07817 322201 or contact us by email.
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