WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Wastewater System Maintenance
OVERVIEW
Wastewater System Maintenance and servicing is a legal obligation.
In this article you’ll read everything you need to know about maintenance and servicing on your wastewater treatment system: obligations, maintenance checks, products to avoid and general do’s & don’ts.
The importance of maintenance and servicing your wastewater treatment system
After installing your wastewater treatment system, there is still more work to be done.
You or your landlord are responsible for maintaining your system for several reasons. For instance, failing to de-sludge a septic tank can lead to sludge buildup, potentially causing system malfunctions.
If you’re curious about what maintenance & servicing entail and what you need to do according to your sewage treatment system, find out more below.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us
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Why wastewater system maintenance is important?
In Ireland, there are approximately 500,000 wastewater treatment systems, and most of them are septic tanks. Lack of tank desludging and maintenance of wastewater treatment system is an issue as this poses risks to health or the environment.
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS REGARDING WASTEWATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Part 4 of the Water Services Act, 2007 (as amended) and associated Regulations established a system for registration, inspection and enforcement of DWWTS and placed duties on owners, water service authorities and the EPA: ‘A person who owns, has in his or her charge or otherwise has control over a wastewater works shall cause it to be properly maintained’.
The property owner has, therefore, a legal responsibility to ensure that the system does not cause pollution, a health hazard, or a nuisance.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a report in 2021 which results that: ‘more than half of domestic wastewater treatment systems inspected (433 of the 809) last year were not up to standard, with almost a quarter posing a risk to human health or the environment according to rte.ie.
Therefore, the EPA introduced an operational change in the 2021 Code of Practice by adding a de-sludging frequency recommendation (Table 12.2 on page 72). The Code of Practice (CoP) aim is to provide guidance on domestic wastewater treatment systems. You can read more about it here.
What is involved in the maintenance of wastewater systems and servicing?
NOTE: the following paragraph relates to Tricel’s wastewater treatment solutions only. Please refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines if you have a system from another manufacturer.
Some servicing can be done by the homeowner to ensure that your system is functioning as it should. You can regularly monitor the following aspects:
- Nothing hinders the correct operation of the system; the inlet and outlet should be checked to remove anything that would block the flow.
- The mechanical parts (if there are any) are working properly.
- There are no smells or suspicious noises etc.
However, a professional should do the main part of the maintenance and servicing.
Tricel offers an annual maintenance contract which is a full service every year to guarantee the system’s efficiency. For smooth operation, service personnel must have unobstructed access to the tank.
Regarding desludging, Tricel recommends using a licensed company to carry out the desludging. This should be done with a vacuum tanker.
The EPA states that: ‘The Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations, 2012 require that de-sludging is carried out by a contractor authorised under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 (as amended) and the contents disposed of in accordance with all relevant national legislative requirements or directions pertaining at the time.’
Depending on the Tricel wastewater solution you have, we will adapt the maintenance:
- Tricel Novo wastewater treatment plant
- Tricel Vento septic tank
- Tricel Puraflo
- Tricel Sandcel sand polishing filter
If you are unsure whether your system is a Tricel one, have a look at what our solutions look like once they’ve been installed.
Maintenance Wastewater System – Products to avoid
The cleaning and household products we use daily can have a significant impact on the functioning of sewage treatment system, some are not recommended.
The proper functioning of the sanitation system requires the maintenance of its bacterial flora. To respect the environment that surrounds us, the proper functioning of your individual treatment plant and your health, we have listed below 8 products and liquids that should not be put into your pipes:
- Petrol, oil and its derivatives
- Methanol and other methylated spirits
- Metallic paints, paint cans
- Solvents such as white spirit and acetone
- Windscreen de-icers
- Glues and derivatives (neoprene glues)
- Aerosols, lacquers etc.
- Phytosanitary products, pesticides, weed killers…
- Certain solvents that contain a phenol derivative
- Substances containing heavy metals such as mercury, lead, etc.
You should not pour oils and fats into your system as they will solidify and clog your pipes. In the treatment process, they reduce the oxygen supply for bacteria.
You can dispose of small quantities of fats and oils in your household waste bin. Your local waste disposal centre can recycle larger quantities.
In addition, never allow clear water (rainwater, swimming pool water, etc.) to flow into your wastewater treatment system. Too much clear water would lead to untreated wastewater being discharged into the sewerage system or the natural environment. This “clear water” is free of organic matter. It does not require any special treatment.
Moreover, heavy rainfall or the emptying of your swimming pool would drain your station and discharge your wastewater directly into your sewage system or surface channels (gutters or ditches).
Whatever your sanitation system, non-biodegradable items such as plastics, cardboard packaging, condoms, tampons, cigarette butts, sanitary towels, cleaning wipes, etc. should not be put down the drain, as they can clog the pipes. This list is of course not exhaustive.
Medicines contain active substances that interfere with the proper functioning of your sewage system. You shouldn’t pour medicine down your drain; they can easily be recycled by taking them to your nearest pharmacy.
You should not pour waxes and resins, including natural resins into your installation. They solidify and clog your pipes. In the treatment process, they reduce the oxygen supply to the bacteria.
Finally, soil should not be put into your pipes as it is not very biodegradable. Bacteria cannot consume soil and it accumulates at the bottom of the tank. A increase of the sludge level will lead to increased emptying frequencies.
Products like disinfectants or bleach-based antibacterial should be used in moderation, without exceeding the doses that are acceptable to the bacteria. If you respect these doses, weekly use is safe for your installation.
The European Union introduced clear pictograms on the labels of your household products. It will help you to determine if your detergent is harmful to your wastewater system.
Wastewater Treatment Do’s
Wastewater Treatment Don’ts
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Our range of products
Tricel Vento Septic Tank
Shallow dig tank, strong & robust underground tank, No electrical or moving parts. Ideal for sites with good drainage & plenty of space.
Tricel Novo Sewage Treatment Plant
Durable & long lasting SMC tank, shallow dig tank, easy installation (Plug and Play), long life components.
Tricel Maxus Sewage Treatment Plant
Commercial plant. Submerged Aerated Filter (SAF) technology. Ideal for project over 50 PE.
Tricel Tero Tertiary Treatment
An eco-friendly and modular system with proven E.Coli Treatment capabilities in line with the new EPA requirements.
Tricel Puraflo Secondary treatment plant
Ideal for sensitive sites, compliant to Irish Standard, small footprint.
Tricel Sandcel
Sand Polishing Filter
Provides a dual function of polishing the effluent from a wastewater treatment system and disposing it into groundwater.
Tricel Pumping Stations
Pump fluids from one place to another where gravity drainage cannot be used, easy and trouble-free installation
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Plants available for all capacities, from 1PE up to 50PE. Free advice on request.
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Recent projects with Tricel Novo IE 6 treatment plant
Extensive industry experience, manufacturing since 1973.
Tricel manufacture deliver & install sewage treatment plants across a wide range of industry sectors throughout Ireland & the UK. Tricel also provide import/export services for our international clients. Top quality material offers outstanding capabilities including long life, durability and is a cost-effective solution for sewage treatment even in the harshest environments.
Tricel has installed many of its Tricel Novo Sewage Treatment Plants across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS PE ?
PE represents the initials of Population Equivalent. Population equivalent: conversion value which aims at expressing non-domestic applications in terms of domestic loading based on 1 person creates 60 g/day BOD5 and 150l/day. (Code of Practice: Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e. < 10), EPA)
DIFFERENT PRODUCTS SOLD BY TRICEL
Tricel Novo & Vitae
Both are wastewater treament plant solutions manufactured by Tricel. Wastewater treatment plants offer a superior quality of treatment. For example, the Tricel Novo comprises of three independent wastewater treatment zones and offers an average of efficiency of 95.9% BOD removal.
This is a higher treatment standard than the effluent from a septic tank. Please note: all wastewater treatment plants used in Ireland must comply with the EN12566-3 standard and all septic tanks must comply with the EN12566-1 standard..
Tricel Vento
The septic tank from Tricel is manufactured as a primary treatment. Designed for the settlement of your effluent. This product may need an additional treatment like the Sandcel or Puraflo.
WARRANTIES
Most Tricel products have a warranty. To discover all the guarantees on our products, as well as on the internal parts, consult our dedicated product pages.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF THE WASTEWATER PRODUCED?
The required standards are 20:30:20 BOD, SS, NH4. All Tricel produces exceed the requirements when tested to En12566-3 and comply with SR66.
Learn more about our certification
MAINTENANCE ON THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Tricel recommends that you maintain your device to the fullest. You are obliged by law to avoid all types of pollution or nuisances. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information on our service contracts. An annual maintenance contract may be offered.
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