Sewage Treatment Plants

A sewage treatment plant is engineered to remove bacteria and other contaminants from wastewater or sewage before it is discharged into a body of water or other receiving environment. These plants aim to produce environmentally safe effluent and solid waste that can be disposed of or reused as fertilizer.

We offer a comprehensive selection of commercial and domestic sewage treatment plants from two renowned brands: Marsh and Graf. These sewage treatment plants are ideal for properties not connected to mains drainage systems; collecting effluent from household drainage systems (toilets, kitchens, bathrooms) and typically separating them into solid and liquid chambers.

How Does A Sewage Treatment Plant Work?

A sewage treatment plant works through a series of processes to remove contaminants from wastewater or sewage before it is discharged into the environment. Here's a general overview of how a typical sewage treatment plant operates:

Screening & Grit Removal:

First up, the incoming sewage gets filtered through large screens to remove large solid objects like rags, sticks, and debris. This protects equipment from getting clogged and malfunctioning. Next, the sewage enters grit chambers. These are essentially large settling tanks that allow heavier inorganic materials like sand and gravel to sink to the bottom.

Primary treatment:

The sewage is passed through large sedimentation tanks or clarifiers, where heavier solid particles (sludge) settle to the bottom, while the lighter materials (scum) float to the surface. These materials are removed for further treatment or disposal.

Secondary treatment:

Biological treatment: The remaining liquid from the primary treatment is mixed with microorganisms (bacteria and other microbes) in an aerated tank or reactor. These microorganisms consume and break down the organic matter in the wastewater, converting it into carbon dioxide, water, and more microorganisms.
Secondary sedimentation: The mixture from the biological treatment is passed through another set of sedimentation tanks or clarifiers, where the microorganisms settle to the bottom as sludge, leaving a relatively clear liquid effluent.

Tertiary treatment (optional):

Depending on the desired quality of the treated effluent, additional treatment processes may be employed, such as:

Filtration: The effluent is passed through filters (e.g., sand, coal, or membrane filters) to remove remaining suspended solids.
Disinfection: The effluent is treated with chlorine, ultraviolet light, or other disinfectants to kill pathogenic microorganisms.
Nutrient removal: Processes like nitrification, denitrification, and chemical precipitation are used to remove excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from the effluent.

Sludge treatment:

The sludge collected from the primary and secondary treatment processes is further treated to reduce its volume and stabilize it for safe disposal or beneficial use. Common sludge treatment methods include anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, composting, and dewatering.

Effluent discharge:

The treated effluent that meets the required quality standards is discharged into a receiving water body, such as a river, lake, or ocean. The resulting treated liquid, approximately 95% clean water, can be safely returned to a ditch or natural watercourse. The remaining sludge is regularly removed from the solid chamber by specialized companies.

Throughout the treatment process, various mechanical, biological, and chemical processes are employed to remove pollutants and contaminants from the sewage, ensuring that the discharged effluent meets environmental regulations and does not cause harm to aquatic ecosystems or public health.

Features & Benefits of Sewage Treatment Plants

Odourless: Advanced technology activates wastewater with oxygen immediately upon entry, producing clear, odourless water ready for extraction via a soakaway or underground pipe.
Sustainable: Achieving up to 99% efficiency, our treatment tanks ensure sustainable discharge values, preparing for stricter future legal requirements.
Environmentally Friendly: Lightweight and simple in construction, these wastewater treatment plants reduce energy consumption and running costs, featuring an energy-optimized membrane compressor and economical motor valve. They are transported in stackable half-shelves, cutting freight costs by 80%.
Easy Installation & Maintenance: The light weight of the tanks facilitates easy transport and installation. With only one tank and chamber required, the space needed starts at just 4m² for a 5-person unit. The tank can be installed in groundwater, and the telescoping, tilting lid fits flush with the ground. Maintenance is simple with an integrated self-cleaning sampling container.
Long Lasting: Our sewage treatment plants come with a minimum 10-year structural warranty and a minimum 2-year warranty on the technology, though both components typically exceed these warranties.

Sizing of Sewage Treatment Plants

Sewage treatment plants are sized based on the number of occupants in the property or properties using the plant. We offer systems for up to 18-person occupancy. If you require a larger size than our current offer, please get in touch with us.

Do Sewage Treatment Plants Need a Soakaway?

While soakaway crates are effective for discharging stormwater and rainwater back into the ground, they should not be used with sewage treatment plants or septic tanks. This would be illegal as these crates are not designed for untreated wastewater and could contaminate public drinking water sources.

Do Sewage Treatment Plants Need Emptying?

Sewage treatment plants, though capable of handling more wastewater than septic tanks, still require periodic emptying. Manufacturers often recommend annual emptying to manage sludge buildup within the treatment tank. Excessive sludge can compromise water cleanliness, defeating the plant's purpose. Consult your supplier or retailer for specific emptying intervals, as some budget options may need more frequent maintenance. Alarms are available for some tanks which will give warnings when emptying is soon going to be required.

Pumped and Gravity Fed Options

Most sewage treatment plants feature either a gravity or pumped outlet option for disposing of treated water. Marsh and Graf plants both offer an optional pump for the standard gravity outlet. Gravity fed would always be the preferred option, though if the dwelling/location is on a hill/gradient a pump will be required.

Adding a pump/pumping system to the treatment plant adds an extra layer to the installation, whilst the pumps provided by sewage treatment plant manufacturers are top quality and built to withstand the use, they do add another element to be checked and maintained.

Delivery Information

For details on delivery and returns, please refer to the delivery & returns tab below. If you lack offload facilities onsite, contact us to arrange for a suitable vehicle, which may incur additional costs.

Please Note: Our sewage treatment plants do not qualify for Spend & Save volume discounts. For more information on any of these products, please contact us.

CHRISTMAS DELIVERY SCHEDULE

ORDERS OF STOCKED ITEMS

All orders made before the 12pm cutoff on 22nd December will be delivered 23rd December.

Orders between 12pm December 22nd and 12pm December 23rd will only be delivered on 24th December if ordered with special AM delivery, all other orders made after the 12pm cutoff on December 22nd will be delivered once normal service resumes.

Normal service will resume on January 3rd, with any orders placed up until this time to be delivered the following week commencing 6th January.

ORDERS OF DIRECT ITEMS

For orders of direct items, please see individual supplier pages below. If there is no specific information, please get in touch with us so we can contact suppliers for the most up-to-date Christmas delivery information.

DELIVERY CUT OFF TIMES

All orders are being dispatched as normal. Unless subject to exclusions, all orders received before 12pm will be delivered the next working day.

Please note, standard Cast Iron Gutter systems have a cut off time of 11am. Large or palletised orders have a cut off time of 12pm.

ORDER DAY	DELIVERY CUT OFF TIME	DELIVERY DAY*
Monday	12pm	Tuesday
Tuesday	12pm	Wednesday
Wednesday	12pm	Thursday
Thursday	12pm	Friday
Friday	12pm	Monday
Saturday	12pm	Tuesday
Sunday	12pm	Tuesday
Bank Holidays (except Bank Holiday Monday)	12pm	Next Working Day (Bank Holiday Monday orders will be delivered the following Wednesday)

*Delivery to non-Industrial Scotland, Northern Ireland, and CH, LL, and CA postcodes can sometimes take slightly longer, although this is dependent upon the exact location.

If we are unable to deliver your order within the above timeframe for any reason, we will contact you to arrange an alternative delivery day. We use overnight carriers, so we are unable to arrange or confirm an exact time of delivery.

Some special or non-stocked items on our website have extended lead-times, which are displayed on the product pages in question – see below for more details.

Whilst every reasonable effort shall be made to keep to a delivery date, we cannot be held liable for any losses, costs, damages, or expenses arising directly or indirectly out of any failure to meet any estimated delivery date.

In the unlikely event of a late delivery, we will be unable to compensate you for any consequential loss, so please do not organise any plant or labour before you have received your materials.

DELIVERY CHARGES AND EXTENDED LEAD TIMES

Orders over £250 excluding VAT will be delivered free of charge. Orders under this amount will incur a charge of £15.00 + VAT. This applies to most stocked items and some items that are supplied directly from manufacturers. Orders of stocked items are generally delivered in 1-3 working days.

Some stocked items will incur a bulky or pallet charge due to their extreme weights or lengths:

Bulky items - £45.00 + VAT charge placed on orders that contain one or more bulky products. These items will be marked as bulky during the checkout process.
Palletised items - £60.00 + VAT charge placed on orders that contain one or more items that need to be sent and delivered via a pallet. These items will be marked as palletised during the checkout process.

A full list of stocked items can be found here.

Certain items, usually those sent direct from manufacturers, incur additional delivery charges and an extended lead time regardless of the order value, due to the restrictions placed upon us by our carrier and the extreme weights/lengths. These charges are applied instead of the standard £15.00 + VAT charge if the order is valued under £250 excluding VAT.

The following product ranges have extended lead times or incur additional delivery charges. Please click on each individual range for specific details.

OUR COURIER PARTNERS

COURIER NAME	ORDER TRACKING	CONTACT INFORMATION	DELIVERY DAYS	NEXT DAY DELIVERY?
DX	Use online tracking portal	8am-6pm Mon-Fri (£35 charge for AM delivery - available for stocked items only) 8am-4pm Sat (£40 charge for Saturday delivery - available for stocked items only) Express: 0333 241 5700 Freight: 0333 241 1100	Mon-Sat	Yes
DHL	Use online tracking portal	7am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat 02476 937 770	Mon-Sat	Yes
DPD	Follow the information provided via SMS	8am-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat, 9am-3pm Sun 0121 275 0500	Mon-Sat	Yes
Magnus/Pallex	Please contact us directly	N/A	Mon-Fri 8am-6pm	Yes
Own Transport	Please contact us directly	Email: [email protected] Phone: 01206 867500	Mon-Sat	Yes

OUR DELIVERY AREA

LOCATION	RESTRICTIONS	ADDITIONAL CHARGES	NOTES
Mainland UK	N/A	No additional charges for location, product specific delivery charges still apply	N/A
Ireland Jersey Guernsey	We are currently unable to deliver to these areas	N/A	N/A
Isle of Man Isle of Wight Scottish Highlands Northern Ireland		Additional delivery charge applies. Amount dependent on weight and length of product ordered. PBSL Group will contact you regarding this charge after we receive your order.	N/A
Scottish Isles	N/A	Additional delivery charge applies. Amount dependent on weight and length of product ordered. PBSL Group will contact you regarding this charge after we receive your order.	Many of our customers in the Scottish Isles choose to have their order redirected to a local haulier such as Woody's Express or Hebrides Haulage in Inverness.

Certain direct suppliers are able to ship outside of these areas depending on product quantity and availability. Please get in touch with us regarding any such queries.

SPLIT DELIVERIES

If you have ordered a mixture of goods that come both from us and direct from our manufacturing partners, you will be advised of this in your dispatch email. As the order is coming from two locations, you will receive two different deliveries. Delivery on direct items can have extended lead times and will need someone present to check and sign for the goods.

Occasionally, we don't have all items in stock at our main warehouse. If this is the case, we will endeavour to send the stock the same day from one of our other branches, in order to not delay delivery of the complete order. This may lead to a split delivery, dependant on the courier being used. We will contact you if there is going to be a delay due to this.

LABOUR AND MACHINERY

Please do not book machinery or labour until your goods have been received and checked over. Whilst every effort is made by our couriers to deliver your parcel within the stated timeframe, Professional Building Supplies cannot be held responsible for any additional costs incurred by delays outside of our control.

CHECKING AND SIGNING FOR ORDERS

SIGNED FOR POLICY – T&CS

All orders should be signed for. If you are unable to sign for your delivery, you can arrange with us for a neighbour to take delivery of your order. You can also advise us of a safe place where your order can be left, although we cannot take responsibility for any shortages or obvious damages.

Please ensure that you always check the number of packages that you are signing for. If there is an incorrect number of packages or any package appears damaged, you should note this on the signature panel and advise us so that we can rectify the issue as quickly as possible. Once goods have been signed for as being received ‘complete and in good condition’, any claims are not covered by the carrier’s insurance company.

Signing for goods as ‘unchecked’ makes any claims inadmissible, so please check the number of packages and look for any signs of any damage, noting any issues on the signature panel. Although the delivery drivers are busy, they are contractually obliged to wait whilst you check your delivery.

WHAT IF I CAN’T WAIT IN ALL DAY?

There is a ‘Notes’ section of the Basket review page where you can request for your goods to be left in a safe location – just tell us where to leave the order. Please not that we cannot take responsibility for any shortages or obvious damages if goods have not been signed for.

Please note that deliveries made by DHL (these are generally small orders with no pipe or bulky products) cannot be left in a safe location. You will be advised which carrier will be delivering your order by email at the point of dispatch.

REFUNDS, RESTOCKING AND RETURNS

RESTOCKING CHARGES

These are applicable to business customers and returns after 14 days.

Deductions may apply if the value of the goods is diminished by any amount as a result of handling of the goods by the consumer beyond what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

PRODUCT	RESTOCKING FEE (% OF PRODUCT PRICE)	COLLECTION CHARGE
Copper and Zinc Gutters	20%	£70
Storm Building Products	15%	Yes – depending on order value
Guardian Building Products	15%	Yes – depending on order value, plus return carriage charge if required
Shower Wall Cladding	35%	N/A
Painted Aluminium products	MADE TO ORDER – CANNOT BE RETURNED	MADE TO ORDER – CANNOT BE RETURNED
Cast Iron: Premier Primed Standard Rainwater, Premier Primed Sand Cast Rainwater, Premier LCC Soil, Halifax Soil & Drain Systems Fittings Only	25%	N/A
Cast Iron: Premier Extra (Black) Standard Rainwater, Premier Extra (Black) Sand Cast Rainwater, Mech 416 Soil System Fittings Only, Traditional Express Soil System	35%	N/A
FH Brundle Steel Fencing	20%	N/A

For further information and clarification of the legislation surrounding the return of goods, and associated costs, please refer to regulation 35 of The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

RETURNS AND REFUNDS

Please read our Returns & Refunds policy for further details.