You may have heard of sewage treatment plants, but do you know how they actually work? To help you understand the benefits of wastewater management systems and when you might need one, here is our complete guide on sewage treatment plants.
Why do homes have sewage treatment plants?
If your property cannot be connected to the main sewage system, for example - you live in a remote rural location, then you must have a way to effectively manage your waste onsite. A sewage treatment plant collects and treats domestic wastewater, including sewage, food waste, and water from showers and laundry. Once the water has been treated, it can then be safely released back into the environment and join watercourses like canals and rivers. In some circumstances having a waste management system is a necessity, but many people choose to install a sewage treatment plant on their property even when they have access to the main waste systems. This is because an onsite sewage treatment plant offers a number of great benefits.
What are the benefits?
One of the main benefits of having an on-site sewage treatment plant, is that it’s considered more environmentally-friendly than being connected to the main sewage system. Managing your own waste onsite, means you are responsible for maintaining your system and preventing any leaks or other issues that could cause environmental harm. On the other hand, public sewage systems are more prone to leaks, which can have a serious negative impact on the surrounding environment. Households with sewage treatment plants also tend to be more aware of their water use, and become more proactive when it comes to reducing water waste. Conserving water will help reduce your carbon footprint and can also save you money on energy bills. For that reason, having a sewage treatment plant installed on your property may also appeal more to potential buyers if you decide to sell.
How do sewage treatment plants work?
So now you know the great benefits, let’s look at how a sewage treatment plant actually works. Domestic wastewater enters the sewage treatment plant and gravity causes the solids and liquids to separate. The liquid then flows into a second tank and a pump is used to aerate the chamber. The extra oxygen accelerates the biological processes by encouraging the growth of bacteria that destroys harmful contaminants in wastewater. Once this treatment is complete, the remaining effluent can be safely disposed into natural watercourses like streams and rivers.
How do sewage treatment plants differ from septic tanks?
Sewage treatment plants and septic tanks are both wastewater management systems that store and treat domestic wastewater. While they work in a similar way, there are a few key differences that you should be aware of. One of the main differences is that sewage treatment plants use mechanical components that require an electrical supply to operate. On the other hand, septic tanks use a simple method to seperate wastewater from solid waste. With a septic tank, domestic wastewater enters a settlement chamber and gravity separates the solids from the liquids. The heavier solids sink to the bottom of the chamber and form a sludge layer, while other matter like oil and grease, float to the top and scum layer. This can then be easily removed from the liquid. Once this has been completed, the remaining liquid is passed through a drainage field where it is absorbed by the ground to receive further treatment from the bacteria found in soil.
Another key difference between sewage treatment plants and septic tanks is the effluent they produce. Sewage treatment plants provide treatment of wastewater and produce a far more clean and environmentally-friendly effluent that can be safely discharged directly into a watercourse. Whereas, septic tanks simply separate solids from liquids and the remaining effluent is highly polluting and must be discharged into the ground to receive further treatment by the natural bacteria found in soil. Sewage treatment plants are therefore considered the more environmentally-friendly option.
Finally, you should be aware that the required maintenance differs between septic tanks and sewage treatment plants. Under current regulations, septic tanks do not require any form of servicing. Whereas sewage treatment plants have minimum maintenance requirements and usually require a full service once or twice a year. The requirements depend on the type of system you have, so make sure you refer to the manufacturer's guidelines. It is also worth noting that septic tanks require emptying more often. Most septic tanks need emptying at least once a year, while sewage treatment systems only need emptying every 3 to 60 months, depending on the type of system you have.
