Living with a Sewage Plant
Many outlying rural properties do not enjoy the benefits of being connected to a Public Sewerage system, run in this area by South West Water Limited.
Coastline Housing operates a number of sewage plants to which some of our properties are connected. In order for these plants to function correctly then a number of precautions must be heeded.
[New sewage plant being installed at Pengersick]
Sewage treatment plants use colonies of live natural micro-organisms to break down the pollutants in domestic sewage. Many chemicals found in the household can inhibit or kill these micro-organisms, particularly if used in excessive amounts.
If the micro-organisms are damaged, they will eventually recover in time. Though in the meanwhile one of the more obvious symptoms is an unpleasant smell therefore it is in the resident's interest to avoid this.
In the normal course of events all common household cleaning fluids are acceptable, provided they are used in accordance with the maker's instructions and stipulated concentrations.
Common chemicals
. Washing machine and dishwasher detergents etc - perfectly all right in normal concentrations and usage. Problems can occur if for instance you are washing the jerseys of the local rugby club's five teams!
. Floor cleaners, disinfectant and bleaches - again these are safe to use in accordance with the maker's recommendations. What you should refrain from doing is pouring neat disinfectant and bleach down the sink or outside gully. If these smell it is likely there is a build up of decaying material or a plumbing problem that should be dealt with accordingly.
. Nappy disinfectant and bottle sterilising fluids eg Milton - when disposing of the used fluid ensure that it is well diluted with water. The easiest way of doing this is to flush it away down the toilet.
. Waste disposal units - these do not inhibit the micro-organisms but they can present the plant with a considerable extra load. It is much better and more environmentally friendly to compost your vegetable peelings.
. Home beer and wine making - this presents a similar problem to waste disposal units. A treatment plant works as hard to treat one pint of beer as it does to treat the normal waste of one person in 24 hours. Therefore when disposing ensure it is well diluted with water.
. Drain and pipe Cleaning solutions eg 'Mr Muscle' - These must not be used where a property is connected to a septic tank or treatment plant. One sachet is strong enough to kill all the bacteria in a plant that serves up to around 20 properties.
Harmful substances that must not be discharged to the drains
. Motor oil, grease, anti-freeze, brake fluid etc.
. Cooking oil and fat.
. Weed-killers, insecticides, fungicides and other gardening chemicals.
. Paint, thinners, white spirit, turpentine, creosote etc.
. Medicines - these should be taken to a pharmacist for disposal.
. Photographic developing fluids.
Non-organic waste
Sewage Plants are designed to treat organic waste. Non-organic waste will cause harm to the plants, especially those that contain mechanical parts such as pumps.
It may seem obvious to say this, but it is amazing what gets flushed down the toilet from time to time.
Although such items do not directly damage the micro-organisms they can however cause problems such as blockages and damage to moving parts and the plant.
Even so-called disposable nappies and sanitary towels often do not degrade fully in the treatment plant and can lead to malfunctions, and need to be disposed of then by other means.
The following must not be discharged to the drains.
. Nappies, sanitary towels, rags, soft toys, tennis balls, condoms, sweet wrapper, plastic bags, baby wipes, disposable dusters, string, rope, newspaper etc
Please remember that the costs of running the sewage plants are shared equally between the all the connected properties.
Breakdowns caused by the inappropriate use of chemicals and the blockages by non-organics will be recharged to each property under the recharge policy, as this would be considered deliberate damage and abuse.
[Traditional Filter Bed at Mawgan]
If you have any further queries please contact the Marcus J preedy at Coastline Housing Ltd by calling 08452 700720.
Please click on the image below to download a copy of the Living with a sewage plant leaflet.
