Naturally occurring bacteria in septic tanks digest sewage solids and turn them into liquid and gas. The liquids run into an underground soakaway of stones or pipes before soaking into the surrounding soil, where more bacteria finish the digestion process.

Years ago, people could ‘abuse’ their septic tank or treatment plant by leaving it years before emptying. You can’t do that anymore. That’s because not only is there more water from baths, washing machines and dishwashers going into them, but because our soaps, bleaches, detergents and cleaners are stopping bacteria from working as well. That means solids and sludges build up faster because they aren’t getting broken down.

Empty your septic tank or treatment plant every year

Years ago, people could ‘abuse’ their septic tank or treatment plant by leaving it years before emptying. You can’t do that anymore. That’s because not only is there more water from baths, washing machines and dishwashers going into them, but because our soaps, bleaches, detergents and cleaners are stopping bacteria from working as well.

That means solids and sludges build up faster because they aren’t getting broken down.

That’s why it’s best to empty your septic tank or treatment plant once a year and no less than every two. If your water table is high, you may need to do this even more often.

After 2020, the Environment Agency will expect you to have your septic tank cleared annually and to have a record of doing so.[LINK]

Book an appointment

Sewage treatment plants are better than septic tanks at turning the liquids into cleaner water that can discharge directly into a water course, so you may want to get one installed instead.[LINK TO REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION PAGE]

Get your septic tank or treatment plant emptied[LINK TO BOOKING PAGE]

To find out more about our septic tank and treatment plant installation service, call us on 01432 353888, email sales@aquassist.co.uk or use our booking form.[LINK]