Off-mains overview

Specifying a septic tank or sewage treatment plant depends on several factors, including:

• Soil conditions for effluent distribution
• Population to be served
• Council and environmental agency policy
• Number of septic tanks already in the area

The most economical solution is to use a septic tank, but septic tank effluent normally has to discharge into an underground soakaway/distribution system. A "percolation test" has to be carried out on the soil to find out if it is suitable for this type of effluent and how long the soakaway system should be. If the soil fails the test then other treatment plant such as the CAP or SBR have to be considered as the effluent from these can be discharged directly into a watercourse, subject to approval from the environmental agencies.

In all cases advice should be sought from the local authority Environmental Health Department. It may also be necessary to consult:

• The Environment Agency (EA - England and Wales)
• The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA - Scotland)
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA - Ireland)
• The Department of Environment (DoE NI) in Northern Ireland.

Septic tank 4-22pop

Balmoral septic tanks are designed to provide primary biological treatment to crude sewage produced in a normal domestic environment. It retains solids and allows them to settle out and become partially broken down by biological action.

The effluent is then sufficiently treated to soak into the ground via an underground distribution system.

Continuous Aeration Plant (CAP) 6-12 pop

Balmoral's best selling sewage treatment plant is universally popular across the UK and the Republic of Ireland and provides full treatment to crude sewage produced in normal domestic situations.

Balmoral CAP effluent can be discharged directly into a watercourse without having to pass through a soakaway.

Balmoral HydroClear 6-50 pop

The premium performing domestic plant with BOD removal of 97%, the CE-marked HydroClear is easy to install and cost effective to maintain.

Balmoral HydroClear effluent can be discharged directly into a watercourse without having to pass through a soakaway.

Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) 6-120 pop

A flexible, high-end product the Sequential Batch Reactor is designed to provide full biological treatment to wastewater of variable flows from commercial sources. Highly adaptable, the SBR can be optimised to provide customised solutions to a variety of non-domestic requirements.

Balmoral SBR effluent can be discharged directly into a watercourse without having to pass through a soakaway.