Septic Tanks & Off Mains Drainage Ascot
On this page (click arrow to view):
Services we offer in Ascot
Off-Mains Drainage Compliance Ascot
Ascot and the surrounding areas of Sunninghill, South Ascot and North Ascot include a mix of established residential neighbourhoods, larger detached homes and properties close to green-belt land and Windsor Great Park. While many properties are connected to mains drainage, others may rely on septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, drainage fields or older private drainage arrangements. Boxall Ward helps homeowners, buyers, sellers and professional advisers understand whether an existing off-mains drainage system appears to meet the relevant requirements. This can be particularly important for older or larger properties where the drainage system has been altered over time, where extensions have increased the load on the system, or where the eventual discharge point is not immediately obvious. A compliance check can help establish what type of system is installed, where it appears to discharge, whether there are visible signs of failure and whether further investigation or remedial work may be required. For an explanation of the current rules, see our guide to the General Binding Rules for septic tanks and sewage treatment plants. For details of the inspection service itself, see our page on off-mains drainage compliance.Septic Tank Installation and Replacement in Ascot
Older private drainage systems do not always remain suitable for the property they serve. In Ascot and neighbouring areas such as Sunninghill and South Ascot, a system may have been installed decades ago and later had to cope with extensions, additional bathrooms, increased occupancy or changes in the use of the property. Where an existing septic tank is no longer suitable, Boxall Ward can assess replacement options including modern sewage treatment plants. The correct solution depends on the individual site, including the available land, access for machinery, ground conditions, discharge route and the number of people using the property. For larger homes and properties set within substantial gardens, careful planning is particularly important so that excavation, pipework and any drainage field can be positioned sensibly without creating unnecessary disruption. Boxall Ward carries out the excavation, installation and associated groundworks required for replacement private drainage systems. The company is also a distributor of Matrix sewage treatment plants, offering modern treatment options for domestic and light commercial properties.Septic Tank Repairs Ascot
A problem with a septic tank or sewage treatment plant does not automatically mean the entire system has failed. Issues can arise from damaged pipework, blocked outlets, access covers, pumps, treatment plant components, poor maintenance or a drainage field that is no longer dispersing effluent properly. Boxall Ward carries out off-mains drainage repairs for septic tanks, sewage treatment plants and associated pipework. Around Ascot, private drainage systems may be located within large gardens, wooded plots or landscaped grounds, so identifying the cause of a problem can require more than simply inspecting the tank itself. The first step is to establish what is actually wrong and whether the existing system can be repaired economically. Where a repair is practical, dealing with the fault early can help avoid further damage, sewage backups or more extensive work later.Septic Tank Survey Ascot
Private drainage can become an important issue when buying or selling a property in Ascot, particularly where the house is older, larger or situated towards the more rural edges of the area. Boxall Ward provides homebuyer septic tank surveys for properties served by septic tanks, sewage treatment plants and other off-mains drainage systems. A specialist survey can help establish the type of system installed, assess accessible components, identify visible defects and consider where the system appears to discharge. This can be particularly useful where records are incomplete, the system is shared, the property has been extended or the drainage arrangement has evolved over many years. For buyers, clearer information before exchange can help identify possible future repair or replacement costs. For sellers and professional advisers, it can help resolve drainage questions before they become a late-stage obstacle during conveyancing.Groundworks Ascot
The performance of a private drainage system depends heavily on the groundworks around it. Correct excavation depths, pipe gradients, drainage-field construction, machinery access and reinstatement all contribute to how well the finished installation works. Boxall Ward provides groundworks for septic tank installations, sewage treatment plants, drainage fields, repairs and associated private drainage work. In and around Ascot, projects can involve substantial gardens, established landscaping, tree cover and properties where access needs to be planned carefully before excavation begins. The aim is to complete the drainage work properly while keeping disruption to the surrounding property under control. Where lawns, driveways or garden areas need to be crossed, the route and reinstatement can be considered as part of the overall installation rather than treated as an afterthought.Certified Installers Ascot
Choosing an experienced off-mains drainage contractor is important where a property has an ageing system, a difficult discharge arrangement or a site that requires careful planning. Boxall Ward works with established sewage treatment plant and drainage product manufacturers and can advise on suitable options for properties around Ascot. The company has experience with products from manufacturers including Harlequin Manufacturing and Marsh Industries, and is also a distributor of Matrix sewage treatment plants. For Ascot customers, choosing the right system depends on much more than the size of the tank. Occupancy, available land, ground conditions, access, discharge options and the applicable compliance requirements all affect the final recommendation. Boxall Ward can assess the site, explain the available options and carry out the associated installation and groundworks.More About Our Core Services
Areas We Serve In Thames Valley
If your area isn’t listed, we may still be able to do the work – just call us on
01903 815 377
and we’ll be delighted to discuss your needs and our solution.
| Newbury | Reading | Wokingham |
| Bracknell | Maidenhead | Windsor |
| Henley-on-Thames | Marlow | Ascot |
| Twyford | Wargrave | Crowthorne |
All Areas We Cover:
West Sussex | East Sussex | Surrey | Hampshire | Kent | New Forest | Thames Valley
Check out our Homebuyer Surveys (Septic Tank Surveys)
Happy Customers
Ascot 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: should generally be emptied once a year. The frequency may vary depending on the tank’s capacity and usage.
Cesspit: requires more frequent emptying, depending on its capacity and usage. As it stores all wastewater without an outlet, the level should be monitored regularly.
Sewage Treatment Plant: should be serviced annually and emptied in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the servicing engineer’s advice.
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.
