SEWAGE TREATMENT
What Wastewater Treatment System is available ?
OVERVIEW
If like many houses in Ireland yours is not connected to the public sewer, you are in need of a septic tank or a wastewater treatment system.
See below information regarding our Septic Tank range as well as the Wastewater Treatment Plants available (including the type of treatment, running costs and desludging).
Septic tanks or Wastewater Treatment Plants?
Generally cheaper than wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks can represent a suitable option to treat domestic wastewater. However, there might be a case for your project to install a Wastewater Treatment Plant. The best thing to do is to contact us for advice.
Table of Contents
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Wastewater Treatment System
A wide variety of wastewater treatment systems are available on the market, the process of how we treat the wastewater and the quality of effluent then released vary. However, no matter which system is in use, all the wastewater treatment system require certification to EN12566-3. & S.R. 66 A professional Site Assessor should be contacted to assess your site and recommend the best-suited treatment units for your needs.
Types of domestic wastewater treatment plants:
- Biological Aerated Filter (BAF) or Submerged Aerated Filter (SAF).
- Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR).
- Activated Sludge Plant (ASP).
- Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR).
- Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC).
- Non-electric Filters.
Types of domestic wastewater treatment systems:
Biological Aerated Filter (BAF) or Submerged Aerated Filter (SAF)
With the BAF or SAF wastewater treatment systems, the treatment process requires three chambers: a primary settlement chamber, the aeration chamber and finally the settlement chamber. Most of the BAF systems for single dwellings are available prefabricated, with all the chambers built into one single unit. They usually commonly from GRP or concrete. The media used in these units is a fixed bed system. These are popular systems as they are easy to install, simple to use and maintain and components are easy to replace if required.
An example of a BAF system is the Tricel Novo.
Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)
This system type is a similar system to the BAF or SAF (in using three chambers), the difference is that it does not use a fixed, but moving, media. The format is also popular wastewater treatment solutions, they provide good treatment efficiency and are easy to maintain.
Activated Sludge Plant (ASP)
ASP plants use a V-shaped tank, which consists of a central aeration/biological chamber and an outer clarifier/settlement chamber, aeration is continuous. This solution generally is high in energy consumption and also generates a lot of suspended solids in the effluent, increasing the risk of clogging the percolation area.
Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)
Sequencing batch reactors, or SBRs, generally treat wastewater in two separate chambers they use a primary/pre-treatment section to mechanically hold back solids and a reactor chamber to treat the wastewater. SBR wastewater treatment systems clean incoming sewage over cycles using pumps that transfer the wastewater between the two chambers. It is a popular option as it offers a high level of treatment efficiency. It is also low in energy consumption and the technology better supports the load’s variations. Tricel Vitae is an SBR system.
Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC)
RBC systems use a rotating disc to treat the wastewater, the media is submerged partially in the wastewater, and a biofilm develops on the media over time. It is this biofilm that treats the wastewater. Due to the harsh nature of effluent, and the continually submerged drive shaft, they can be expensive to repair. They are a popular solution for more substantial wastewater treatment requirements, above 700 P/E, where a dedicated person does regular service and maintenance.
Non-electric Filters
Generally used as secondary treatment (after a septic tank) or as tertiary treatment (following a wastewater treatment plant) solutions. Non-electric filters are usually simple to install, economical, easy to maintain and provide a high-level of treatment. They all require a pump to move the effluent from the septic tank or wastewater treatment plant into them from the primary unit. The effluent then percolates through the media receiving treatment by passive biofiltration processes. Media used are varied, such as coconut fibre, in the Tricel Tero & Tricel Puraflo, or filtration sand as in the Tricel Sandcel polishing filter.
Running costs of wastewater treatment system
As well as the initial cost of the wastewater treatment plant or septic tank, you should also take into account the following hidden costs:
Ease of installation
A light, shallow dig tank is easier to install (less machinery, people, time) therefore saving you money during the installation stage.
Energy consumption
Some wastewater treatment uses mechanical parts, air blowers, compressors and other elements which all use electricity to run. Comparing systems and making sure the running costs are low saves you money over the years.
Guarantee and technical support.
As with any appliances, check the manufacturer guarantees for both tank and mechanical parts.
Servicing & maintenance requirements.
Different systems require different servicing and maintenance. Read more in section three.
Maintenance and repairs: As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to make sure your system is correctly installed, operated and maintained and does not pose a risk to human health or the environment.
Desludging
The sludge is a build up of all solids. Both septic tanks and wastewater treatment plants require regular desludging. Refer to the installation manual and guidelines from the manufacturer regarding the frequency. It varies depending on the usage.
Only competent approved personnel should carry out desludging.
Desludging costs vary between counties and suppliers, as a rule of thumb the expense sits between €200 and €400. Make sure to get a waste disposal certificate from wastewater disposal company.
Regular checks
Why is maintaining your wastewater treatment system important?
Your wastewater treatment system gets used on a daily basis. Therefore, it requires regular monitoring. This monitoring ensures its efficiency, so it does not wear prematurely, and therefore lasts.
You should perform regular checks on your wastewater treatment at home, such as:
- Check the sludge level – visual inspection. If the tank is more than half full, it might be time to book a desludging service.
- Also check outlet distribution box when available (the effluent should be free-flowing and clear).
- Check all vents (not blocked or covered with overgrown grass).
- Look at the air blower (when available); you should hear a gentle sound.
- Check for odours.
Service Maintenance
Service secondary and tertiary treatment systems on a regular basis. Some require more regular servicing than others (either quarterly, every six months or yearly). Refer to the installer’s manual for full details.
The following gets checked on a Tricel wastewater treatment plant during the yearly service:
- The functionality of blower and/or pump pressure
- Pump filters get replaced
- Pump diaphragm checked
- Alarm checked
- Ventilation function tested
- Diffuser monitored to check for dispersion of air
- Covers and locks Manifold adjusted
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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 every project over 50 Population Equivalent.
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
50 years in business
A highly successful multinational corporation with over 50 years’ valuable industry experience
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
Plants available for all capacities, from 1PE up to 50PE. Free advice on request.
Fast Delivery
On-time delivery is a core requirement of our successful business operations
Key features
Cost-Effective
Operating costs are reduced to
a minimum
quality
Sewage treatment plants are extremely reliable and durable as they are made out of long-lasting materials (20 to 40 years)
Certified
All Tricel Novo sewage treatment plants are tested to the highest quality standards and are EU Certified to EN12566-3
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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