Septic Tanks & Off Mains Drainage Marlow
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Services we offer in Marlow
Off-Mains Drainage Compliance Marlow
Marlow sits directly on the River Thames and close to the Chilterns countryside, so private drainage systems in and around the town can vary considerably depending on the property and its location. Larger homes, older properties and houses on the rural fringes may rely on septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, drainage fields or shared private drainage systems rather than a mains sewer connection. Boxall Ward helps homeowners, buyers, sellers and property professionals establish whether an existing off-mains drainage arrangement appears to meet the relevant requirements. This can be particularly important around Marlow where the eventual discharge route may be influenced by nearby watercourses, sloping land, larger gardens or older drainage layouts that have been altered over time. A compliance check can help identify 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. The current rules governing many private drainage systems are explained in 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 Marlow
Private drainage systems around Marlow often serve properties where space, access and surrounding land have a major influence on the type of replacement system that can be installed. An older septic tank may no longer be suitable because the property has been extended, occupancy has increased, the drainage field is failing or the existing discharge arrangement no longer meets current requirements. Boxall Ward can assess septic tank replacement and sewage treatment plant installation options for homes and properties in Marlow and the surrounding Thames Valley and Chilterns area. Where a traditional septic tank is no longer appropriate, a modern sewage treatment plant may provide a more suitable solution, depending on the property, discharge route, available land and ground conditions. Each installation needs to be planned around the site itself. This may include machinery access, the position of existing buildings and gardens, the route of new pipework and the location of any drainage field or discharge point. Boxall Ward carries out the excavation, installation and associated groundworks required to create a practical long-term system. The company is also a distributor of Matrix sewage treatment plants, providing modern treatment options for domestic and light commercial properties.Septic Tank Repairs Marlow
A drainage problem does not necessarily mean the whole system needs replacing. Where a septic tank, sewage treatment plant or associated pipework is causing problems, Boxall Ward can investigate the fault and determine whether a practical repair is possible. Common issues can include damaged pipework, blocked or failing outlets, access-cover problems, pump faults, treatment plant components, poor maintenance or drainage fields that are no longer dispersing effluent effectively. For properties around Marlow, access and landscape can sometimes complicate repairs. Systems may sit within mature gardens, paddocks, wooded plots or sloping ground leading towards the Thames Valley. Boxall Ward carries out off-mains drainage repairs and can assess whether the existing system can be restored or whether a more substantial upgrade is the sensible long-term option. Investigating problems early can often prevent a relatively contained fault from becoming a larger drainage failure.Septic Tank Survey Marlow
Private drainage can become an important part of due diligence when buying or selling a property in and around Marlow. Homes on the edge of town or in nearby rural areas may have drainage arrangements that are not immediately obvious from the house itself, particularly where systems are older, shared or located some distance from the main building. Boxall Ward provides homebuyer septic tank surveys for properties served by septic tanks, sewage treatment plants and other private drainage systems. A specialist survey can help identify the type of system present, assess accessible components, look for signs of failure and consider the apparent discharge arrangement. This can be particularly useful for older or larger properties near the Thames and Chilterns countryside, where historic drainage layouts may have evolved alongside extensions, conversions or changes in land use. Clearer information before exchange can help buyers, sellers, estate agents and conveyancers understand whether additional investigation, repair or replacement work may be needed.Groundworks Marlow
Successful off-mains drainage work depends heavily on the quality of the groundworks around it. Excavation depth, pipe gradients, machinery access, drainage-field layout and reinstatement can all affect how well the finished system performs. Boxall Ward provides groundworks for septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, drainage fields, repairs and associated private drainage projects. Around Marlow, work may involve larger gardens, countryside plots, properties close to wooded areas or sites where slopes and existing landscaping make access more challenging. Careful planning can help minimise unnecessary disruption while still allowing the drainage system to be installed or repaired correctly. Where excavation crosses lawns, gardens or access routes, the aim is always to complete the drainage work efficiently and leave the surrounding site in a practical condition afterwards.Certified Installers Marlow
Choosing an experienced off-mains drainage contractor is particularly important where the site has limited access, unusual ground conditions, a sensitive discharge location or an existing system that needs upgrading. Boxall Ward works with established drainage and sewage treatment plant manufacturers and can advise on suitable system options for properties around Marlow. 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 Marlow customers, the correct solution will depend on more than the size of the tank. The number of occupants, available land, ground conditions, access, discharge route and applicable compliance requirements can all affect the final specification. Boxall Ward can assess the property, 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
Marlow 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.
