Septic Tanks & Off Mains Drainage Burley
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Services we offer in Burley
Off-Mains Drainage Compliance Burley
Burley is one of the New Forest’s more rural villages, surrounded by woodland, lanes, older cottages, larger homes, smallholdings and countryside properties where drainage arrangements are not always simple. Some properties may be connected to mains drainage, while others may rely on septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, cesspits, drainage fields, pumps or older private pipework.
Boxall Ward helps homeowners, buyers, sellers, landowners and property professionals in Burley understand whether an off-mains drainage system is working properly and whether it is likely to meet current requirements. We can inspect existing systems, advise on off-mains drainage compliance and explain the practical options if something needs attention.
This can be particularly useful when buying or selling a property, planning building work, dealing with an unpleasant smell or trying to understand whether an old system is still acceptable. The General Binding Rules may affect what needs to happen if a septic tank discharges to surface water or the system is no longer suitable.
Septic Tank Installation and Replacement in Burley
Private drainage systems around Burley can be affected by age, tree roots, access issues, changing household use, poor installation, unsuitable discharge arrangements or drainage fields that no longer work as they should. An old septic tank may have coped for years, but that does not always mean it is still reliable or compliant.
If the existing system is damaged, overloaded, discharging incorrectly or simply no longer right for the property, replacement may be the best long-term solution. In many situations, this means looking at a modern sewage treatment plant or another compliant private drainage system designed around the site.
Boxall Ward can assess the current drainage arrangement, explain the installation options and carry out replacement work for properties in Burley. Where suitable, we can advise on Matrix sewage treatment plants and other systems that fit the property, ground conditions and expected level of use.
Septic Tank Repairs Burley
Septic tank problems are rarely convenient, especially in rural properties where the drainage system may be hidden, older or difficult to access. Slow drains, smells, wet patches of ground, overflowing chambers, treatment plant alarms or repeated blockages are all signs that the system needs proper investigation.
Boxall Ward provides practical repairs for septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, cesspits and associated private drainage systems in and around Burley. We can investigate the fault and explain whether the problem appears to be with the tank, pump, pipework, drainage field, discharge point or wider condition of the system.
Some issues can be dealt with through a targeted repair or servicing visit. Others indicate that the system is failing, unsuitable or no longer compliant. We will explain what we find clearly so you can decide on the right next step.
Septic Tank Survey Burley
A septic tank survey is a sensible step when buying a property in Burley or the surrounding New Forest area, especially where the property is older, rural, set back from the road or has land, outbuildings or unclear drainage records. A private drainage system can look perfectly ordinary on the surface while still hiding expensive problems.
Boxall Ward carries out septic tank surveys and homebuyer surveys for properties with off-mains drainage. We help buyers, sellers, estate agents and solicitors understand the condition, suitability and likely compliance position of the drainage system before a sale goes too far.
A survey can help identify whether servicing, repair, replacement or further investigation is needed. It can also give buyers useful information before committing to a property with a private drainage system.
Groundworks Burley
Off-mains drainage projects depend heavily on good groundworks. In rural locations such as Burley, access, trees, ground conditions, levels, pipe routes, drainage falls and reinstatement can all affect how smoothly the work goes and how reliable the finished system is.
Boxall Ward provides groundworks for septic tank, sewage treatment plant and private drainage projects in Burley and nearby New Forest areas. This can include excavation, trenching, pipework preparation, drainage installation support and making good once the work is finished.
Whether the job involves replacing an old tank, installing a treatment plant or sorting out wider drainage issues, careful groundwork helps avoid unnecessary disruption and gives the system a better chance of performing properly over the long term.
Certified Installers Burley
A private drainage installation needs more thought than simply choosing a tank and putting it in the ground. The system has to suit the property, the number of users, the soil conditions, available space, access and compliance requirements.
Boxall Ward works with trusted treatment plant manufacturers and is a distributor of Matrix sewage treatment plants. We can advise on suitable systems for Burley properties and help ensure the chosen solution is practical, reliable and appropriate for the site.
After installation, regular care is still important. Boxall Ward can also advise on servicing and maintenance, helping homeowners and property managers keep their private drainage systems working as they should.
More About Our Core Services
Areas We Serve In New Forest
If your area isn’t listed, we can still do the work – just call us on
01903 815 377
and we’ll be delighted to discuss your needs and our solution.
| Totton | Lymington | New Milton |
| Ringwood | Fordingbridge | Hythe |
| Lyndhurst | Brockenhurst | Beaulieu |
| Burley | Milford on Sea | Ashurst |
All Areas We Cover:
West Sussex | East Sussex | Surrey | Hampshire | Kent | New Forest
Check out our Homebuyer Surveys (Septic Tank Surveys)
Happy Customers
Beaulieu Off Mains Drainage FAQ
In order for wastewater to be taken away from your property, it will be connected either to a network of pipes leading to a main sewer, or to its own private drainage system, also known as off mains drainage. These properties are typically situated in more rural locations where a connection to a main sewer is not possible.
Your sewage treatment plant has to be 5 metres away from trees, fences and hedges, 10 metres away from a watercourse or stream, and 50 metres away from any lake or foreshore. Last but not least, it has to be 7 metres away from your housing and 4 metres away from a wall or a building.
Areas we serve include: West Sussex, East Sussex, Hampshire, the New Forest, Surrey, Kent, Berkshire and parts of Wiltshire and Dorset. If you are unsure whether we cover your area, please contact us and we’ll be happy to advise.
There are three different types of tanks:
- Septic Tanks
- Cesspits
- Sewage Treatment Plants
Septic tank:
A septic tank does not have any mechanical parts, and it doesn’t perform any ‘treatment’ of the waste. Instead, the waste enters the tank from the property, then separates into three different layers. The middle layer of separated waste water then leaves the tank, typically into a soakaway system.
A soakaway system is typically a network of slotted or perforated pipes, which allow the waste water to percolate through the sub soils without causing a pollution.
The remaining contents of the tank are then removed at regular intervals by a tank emptying company.
Cesspit:
A cesspit is literally just a holding tank for the waste from your property. Waste goes in and stays there until the tank is emptied. There is no treatment of the waste that goes in. A cesspit will need emptying on a regular basis.
Sewage Treatment Plant:
A sewage treatment plant is the most modern form of off mains drainage tank.
Powered by an electricity supply, a sewage treatment plant provides treatment of the waste. This means that the waste water that leaves the tank is cleaner than that which would come from a septic tank. For this reason, it is allowed for a sewage treatment plant to discharge straight to a ditch or watercourse. An STP will also require emptying, but not as regularly as a cesspit.
Septic Tank: approx. every 3 years.
Cesspit: between every 6 weeks to every 12 months, depending on usage.
Sewage Treatment Plant: approx. once every 12 -18 months.
The manufacturers’ guarantee gives the lifespan of 25 years
No, all will need emptying at some point.
If you’re installing a new septic tank in a domestic or commercial property, you will need planning permission from your local authority. If you’re simply replacing an old one, however, there’s no need to seek further permission.
Government’s General Binding Rules.
You can read more about planning permission for drainage systems on the official Planning Portal.
The installation of new sewage treatment plants and associated drainage. We also specialize in all forms of groundworks.
From single house applications to multi-user commercial sites, we undertake all aspects of the installation from system design, excavations, electrical installation through to final landscaping.
We offer a tailored annual service agreement to provide scheduled service visits and call-out cover in the event of a problem.
South East UK: Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent (South of the M25)
We have over 30 years’ experience in the drainage industry.
We are a relatively small, family run firm, and like to think we give a very personal service to our customers. Giving genuine advice without pressure to purchase.
Yes, all our installations are carried out to the very highest standards and fully comply with Building Control and Environment Agency requirements. All installations are completed using the government’s General Binding Rules https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/small-sewage-discharges-in-england-the-general-binding-rules/general-binding-rules-for-small-sewage-discharges-ssds-with-effect-from-2-october-2023
Certainly, we have installed a number of bespoke tanks which have had to be customized due to a lack of space or access issues.
All our tanks are installed to the correct manufacturers’ recommendations, surrounded in concrete with all the drainage laid to the correct fall for the site on a bed of 10mm shingle. An on-going service contract is offered with all new installations.
Call the office on 01903 815377 (or email on enquiries@boxallward.co.uk) and speak to our office staff who will be able to take your details. We can then arrange for Andrew Boxall to visit your site and discuss your specific requirements. After his visit a quote will be produced to provide a solution to your needs.
This is part of the annual service agreement. If the client does not have a service agreement we can attend as a one-off call-out for a fee. We work 5 days a week – Mon-Fri and commit to attend an emergency within 48 hours of the initial call.
