Sewage treatment plants provide an off-mains option to using the public sewer system for houses and commercial properties, saving money and reducing pollution.
They’re well-liked in rural communities because they are self-sufficient, but their environmental advantages have induced them to be utilized elsewhere. Sewage treatment plants may be needed in specific regions, especially when compared with a septic tank, which gives a considerably cleaner discharge.
In this post, our specialists analyse when and why a sewage treatment plant is needed.
What Are Sewage Treatment plants and How Do They Work?
Sewage treatment plants are a fantastic way to break down sewage and wastewater in your backyard or on the premises of a business property.
Outside, sewage is collected from a building through pipes and sent to a sewage treatment plant, which is usually placed outside. The sewage treatment plant then separates solids and liquids before bacterial digestion processes hazardous pollutants.
The electricity required to power a sewage treatment facility is derived from a nearby source. The breakdown process requires fans to circulate the air, which allows for it to break down. After treatment, the final effluent is extremely clean and may usually be discharged directly back into a local waterway or even recycled and reused if additional processing is required.
Why Would You Need a Sewage Treatment Plant?
Over a million dollars has been saved in the effort to extend access and connectivity for more communities. There are many reasons why sewage treatment plants are preferable to public sewers, including the fact that they provide a variety of benefits over time.
Installing a sewage treatment plant on your property is one of the most cost-effective methods to improve water quality. Here are the top reasons for installing a sewage treatment plant on either commercial or residential premises:
1. As an Off-Mains Sewer Solution
Sewage treatment plants allow you to get rid of your waste without depending on the public sewer system. They are quite self-sufficient, which is why they are one of the most popular technologies for properties in rural areas with no access to public mains.
Saves money on sewer bills by using an alternative off-mains sewage treatment system, which may also help you avoid hefty sewage charges. A big sewage treatment plant can end up being a good long-term investment for businesses that are paying high rates to the local council for these services because it is a cost-effective alternative to expensive sewer systems.
Sewage treatment plants, of course, require electricity to operate, but they may be easily linked to the local grid or even run on a generator.
2. In Areas of Environmental Concern
After breaking down the germs in the waste that is pumped through the system, sewage treatment plants generate a very clean effluent. After separating solids from liquids, liquids are subjected to a rigorous treatment procedure before being released from the system.
Many places in the country, particularly rural areas, have homes built near watercourses that serve as community water supply points or areas of natural beauty or environmental concern with fragile ecosystems.
In order to avoid polluting the environment or contaminating drinking water, sewage may only be released back into the environment after it has been treated. Sewage treatment plants generate an effluent that is clean and safe enough to be discharged into local waterways without harming the ecosystem or affecting drinking water supplies.
If a company wishes to improve its environmental reputation and help local ecosystems, sewage treatment plants may be used instead of other waste disposal methods.
3. If You Require Little Maintenance and Upkeep
Sewage treatment plants are ideal for rural regions since they require minimal upkeep. The system is very self-contained, with just one emptying every year, as well as a constant supply of power.
The system can continue to operate effectively for years if sludge isn’t allowed to accumulate inside the tanks. This not only helps to keep running costs down, but it’s ideal for anybody who wants an off-mains sewage system without having to worry about anything too technical.
4. If Minimal Odours Are Desired
Sewage treatment plants are extremely efficient and self-contained, with a resulting system that is surprisingly odour free.
Cleaning your septic tank on a regular basis helps prevent clogs from developing. It also ensures that any build-up of waste in the tank is fully removed, leaving you with nothing to smell — whether it’s a sewage issue or not! This is a huge advantage if your local sewer system is giving you headaches or if you need to minimize odours in your home or company space.
If you notice any foul odours coming from your sewage treatment plant, there’s a good chance that you have an issue and need to get it looked at.
Sewage Treatment Plants vs. Septic Tanks
It’s crucial to note that sewage treatment plants are not septic tanks. In fact, sewage treatment systems are generally put in place after a septic tank does not meet the demands of the project.
Septic tanks function in a similar way, however they do not run on electricity and do not generate as clean an effluent at the end of the treatment process. If a property must discharge wastewater straight into a local waterway, it is generally necessary to have a sewage treatment plant rather than a septic tank.
Because sewage treatment is so much cleaner, wastewater may be sent to local streams or sensitive spots in the environment. The wastewater from a septic tank, on the other hand, might pollute drinking water and the environment if discharged into a stream or an area of environmental importance.
Septic tanks are fantastic for modest houses, but scaling them up is difficult. Larger houses and commercial enterprises frequently discover that a sewage treatment facility is more efficient at dealing with large quantities of waste than a septic tank would be.
If you want to find out more about Septic Tanks or Sewage Treatment plants, take a look at OMDI.
