Garden Drainage Solutions
If you are new to living off-mains, you’ll be aware you’re going to need garden drainage solutions to get rid of your waste. But you may not be familiar with the choices open to you, so here we provide a quick roundup of the solutions available.

Of course, each individual case is different, so you may prefer to talk to an off-mains drainage expert, in which case we will be delighted to have a friendly, no obligation chat to discuss your needs. Just give us a call on 01903 815377.
In the UK, living off-mains is a necessity for all homeowners who are not connected to the main grid. Here are 5 of the most important off mains garden drainage solutions for your property.
1. Septic Tank
A septic tank is a large box often situated in your garden. Once the water flows in the tank, the wastewater is treated naturally in order to separate liquids from solids. While the solids are retained in the tank, liquids are discharged using an external pipe. The solids are removed regularly by a professional company. More details about septic tanks here.
2. Cesspit
Also known as cesspools, these devices are similar to septic tanks, but with no outlet to discharge the sewage – so the waste remains untreated as it is stored, until it is taken away. Cesspits need to be emptied more regularly than septic tanks. More details about cesspits here.

3. Sewage Treatment Plant
The sewage treatment plant is still one of the top garden drainage solutions available in the UK. One of these devices uses compressed air to blow into the septic tank to speed up the degradation process of the solid matter.
A sewage treatment plant works best with a septic tank, minimising the volume of the solid waste and reducing its toxicity. In order to increase the rapidness of waste degeneration, most sewage treatment plants are equipped with rotating disks.
The good news is that a sewage treatment plant is not so expensive and quite easy to maintain, being a genuine off-mains solution for homeowners which are not connected to the grid.
More details about sewage treatment plants here.
4. Soakaway
A soakaway is a means to let the water slowly dissipate in the soil. You have two methods for this:
- Fill a pit with rubble or stone
- Use a system of several interlinked trenches that contain perforated pipes, each of them surrounded by shingles.
While sewage treatment plants and reed beds are used to deal with the solid remaining of sewage, soakaways are meant to help you deal with the liquid in a septic tank.
More details about soakaways here.
5. Living Soakaway
When a soakaway is not possible, you can use a living soakaway, which is a gravel-filled pit full with reeds, irises and willows.
More details about living soakaways here.
Garden Drainage Solutions Conclusion
Living off mains means that you have to use the right garden drainage solution for your property. Since you are not connected to the main grid, you need to work with the best specialists in maintenance and installation of off-mains drainage.
Contact us today and capitalise on the best off mains garden drainage services in the UK.









