Looking after your sewage treatment plant is key to maintaining a compliant and working plant. Take a look at some Dos and Don’ts to help keep your sewage treatment plant working at its best.
| Common solids and liquids that do NOT belong in the toilet or drain (!!=but unfortunately are commonly found there): | Effect on your sewage treatment plant: | Proper disposal: |
|---|---|---|
| Bird sand | Block the pipes | Dustbin |
| Ash | Does not decompose | Dustbin |
| Bird sand | Blocks the plant | Dustbin |
| Backflush from water softener | Contaminate wastewater | Collecting point |
| Cat litter | Blocks the pipes | Dustbin |
| Chemicals | Contaminate wastewater | Collecting point |
| Cigarettes | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Cleaning agent | Contaminate wastewater | Collecting point |
| Condoms !! | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Cooking oil | Overloads the plant | Dustbin |
| Corks | Block the plant | Dustbin or collection point |
| Cotton swabs | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Disinfectants | Kill bacteria | Do not use |
| Engine oil | Contaminates wastewater | Collection point or petrol station |
| Food leftovers (solid and liquid, e.g. out-of-date milk) !! | Overload the plant | Dustbin |
| Frying oil/grease/fats | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Hair (insofar as can be avoided) !! | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Insecticide | Contaminates wastewater | Collecting point |
| Medications | Contaminates wastewater | Collection point or pharmacy |
| Nappy wipes, oily cloths !! | Block the air lifters | Dustbin |
| Oily waste | Contaminates wastewater | Collecting point |
| Paint | Contaminates wastewater | Collecting point |
| Paint thinner | Contaminates wastewater | Collecting point |
| Paintbrush cleaner | Contaminates wastewater | Collecting point |
| Pantyliners, tampons !! | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Pesticide | Contaminate wastewater | Collecting point |
| Pipe cleaner | Contaminate wastewater | Do not use |
| Razor blades | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Sanitary towels !! | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Textiles (cleaning cloths etc.) | Block the plant | Dustbin |
| Varnish | Contaminate wastewater | Collecting point |
| Wallpaper adhesive | Block the plant | Collecting point |
| WC rim blocks | Contaminate wastewater | Do not use |
| Wet wipes !! | Block the plant | Dustbin |
British Water Code Guidelines For Sewage Treatment Plant Maintenance
Alongside our own sewage treatment plant recommendations, British Water suggest you follow the guidelines below to maintain the health of your sewage system.
Do:
1) Think before putting anything down the sink, toilet or drains.
2) Tell guests/visitors/staff that the drains do not flow into mains drainage but into a specialist sewage treatment system and tell them how to avoid harming it
3) Read the label and use the manufacturers’ recommended doses for all household cleaning products
4) Use cleaning products little and often so the system isn’t overloaded
5) Spread clothes washing throughout the week
6) Use the same washing and dishwasher detergents and other cleaning products as being consistent will help the bacteria in the system to work more efficiently, if the products in the sewage do not vary widely the bacteria can adapt to remove a wide range of products but as this can take a while the operation of the treatment system will be more consistent if the variability of the sewage is minimised
7) Use liquid cleaners for clothes washing and for dishwashers
8) Separately dispose of sanitary towels, tampons, disposable nappies, baby wipes, cotton wool, incontinence pads, etc. and not down the toilet
9) Take out a maintenance and service contract
Don’t:
1) Spring clean and use large amounts of cleaners and chemicals in one day
2) Have a “washing day” – spread the washing throughout the week
3) Use household bleach and other strong chemicals indiscriminately
4) Keep changing the brands of household cleaners and washing powders
5) Tip bottles of medicine, mouth wash, etc. down the toilet
6) Put sanitary towels, tampons, disposable nappies, baby wipes, cotton wool, incontinence pads, etc. down the toilet
7) Over flush the toilet unnecessarily – use a water-saving flush if it’s fitted
8) Pour fat or grease from cooking or oil from the chip pan down the sink or drains 9) use the waste disposal unit like a rubbish bin, use it sparingly if at all
10) Pour garden chemicals or car engine oil down the drains
Need help maintaining your sewage treatment plant?
We understand that looking after your sewage treatment plant can be difficult, especially if something were to go wrong. Here at Proseptic, we have years of experience in installing, maintaining and trouble shooting a wide range of sewage systems. Our friendly engineers are on hand to offer advice and support with any issues you may be facing. Get in touch using the form below and we be sure to contact you.
