Septic Tanks & Off Mains Drainage Winchelsea
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Services we offer in Winchelsea
Off-Mains Drainage Compliance Winchelsea
Septic Tank Installation and Replacement in Winchelsea
Septic tanks, despite their straightforward design, have a finite lifespan and can encounter various issues as they age. One of the most frequent problems is structural damage, which can compromise the tank’s integrity, leading to leaks and improper containment of wastewater. This can result in raw sewage escaping into the surrounding soil, causing environmental contamination and violating the General Binding Rules established by the Environment Agency.
In addition, recent legislative changes, particularly the 2020 regulations concerning septic tanks discharging into surface water, necessitate careful attention. From 1st January 2020, any septic tank that discharges into a ditch, river, stream, pond, or lake must be upgraded to a sewage treatment plant to meet the new legal requirements. For a thorough understanding of the 2020 Septic Tank Rules and their impact on your property, be sure to read our detailed article on the 2020 Septic Tank Rules.
At Boxall Ward, we specialise in delivering high-quality septic tank replacement and installation services, tailored to meet the specific needs of clients in Winchelsea. Our experienced team has extensive expertise in septic systems and stays up-to-date with the latest regulations to ensure full compliance and environmental responsibility. Contact us today to learn more about our services and discover how we can help you maintain a dependable and compliant sewage system for your property in Winchelsea.
Septic Tank Repairs Winchelsea
If you have a previously installed sewage treatment system, cesspit, septic tank or, other form of wastewater storage, which requires attention please contact us in the first instance:
Septic Tank Survey Winchelsea
Groundworks Winchelsea
Certified Installers Winchelsea
More About Our Core Services
All Areas We Serve in East Sussex
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 dicsuss your needs and our solution.
| Eastbourne | Hastings | Bexhill-on-Sea |
| Brighton | Crowborough | Hailsham |
| Uckfield | Newhaven | Rye |
| Peacehaven | Polegate | Wadhurst |
| Telscombe | Heathfield | Rottingdean |
| Lewes | Robertsbridge | Forest Row |
| Ringmer | Winchelsea | Mayfield |
| Withyham | Battle | Herstmonceux |
| Jevington | Catsfield | Alfriston |
| Pevensey | Northiam | Wartling |
All Areas We Cover:
West Sussex | East Sussex | Surrey | Hampshire | Kent
Check out our Homebuyer Surveys (Septic Tank Surveys)
Winchelsea 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.
