How to prolong the life of your sewage treatment plant

How to prolong the life of your sewage treatment plant

A sewage treatment plant is responsible for removing contaminants from wastewater and making sure that it is fully cleaned before it is released back into the environment. There’s no denying that without sewage treatment solutions; animals would get ill or die, beaches, dunes and salt marshes would become unusable for humans and animals alike, and diseases would quickly spread through water – making it unsafe to drink or use.

Believe it or not, such systems don’t require much upkeep. You only need to empty them out once or twice a year and, if done properly, they can easily last up to 20 years. However, if they are misused or poorly maintained, their lifespan will reduce significantly and they can cost a pretty penny to repair or replace.

Which begs the question…

What can you do to maximise the lifespan of your sewage treatment plant?

To prolong the life of your system, it’s crucial that you pay attention to what you’re putting down the sink, toilet and drain. As a general rule of thumb, you should only flush human faeces and toilet paper down the loo, and pour tea or coffee (without the grounds) and other drinks down the sink.

None of the following items should end up down the drain:

  • Baby wipes
  • Cotton wool
  • Food waste
  • Grease, fats and oils
  • Kitchen towel
  • Sanitary products

Another great way to ensure your sewage treatment plant lasts as long as possible is to be mindful when cleaning. Try taking a ‘less is more’ approach as cleaning products (including washing powders and detergents) can sometimes overload the system. Typically, softer water types require cleaning products of a weaker concentration than hard waters, so always check the recommended dosage of product for your water type.

And to really get the most out of your sewage treatment solution, it’s worth arranging maintenance. This is where one of our professionals will come out and inspect the condition of your system and identify any potential issues before they worsen.

If you have any further questions about maintaining your sewage treatment plant, please feel free to call the Cotterill Civils team on 0121 351 3230.

Alternatively, fill out our enquiry form: