"Peter Scott" wrote in message
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"MM" wrote in message
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I recently moved on to a brand-new estate which has a privately run
sewage treatment plant, completely separate from the water company for
this area. There was supposed to be a management company set up to run
this plant, but it appears to be going pear-shaped, with volunteers
pulling out, a mounting debt, and certain individuals complaining to
the point of having their solicitor write a letter.

Does anyone know what these small estate-based sewage treament plants
typically cost to run? I have been told the plant here needs emptying
three times a year. The development contains approximately 40
dwellings, and all residents pay a proportionate amount.

In another part of the village, houses are also connected to a similar
local sewage treatment plant, yet that one is entirely run by the
water company, as if one were on mains sewerage and simply paid the
water and sewage bill. Perhaps it would be best if 'our' proposed
management company simply transferred (sold?) the plant and the
responsibility for running it to the water company?

Not sure if this will help. I have an Entec plant with a capacity for ten
people.
An annual service costs about UKP150 and emptying twice a year about
UKP60. The cost to install a new one in place of the existing one would be
about UKP5000. The plant serves just my house.


Is that the type with rotating discs which the bacteria colonise as they
digest the various biological materials in the tank?
AIUI they consume the digestible part of the liquor eventually leaving a
clear liquid outfall which is supposed to be acceptable for discharge into
the ground drainage. How does this differ from a traditional septic tank
where moving parts are not required? (Except in size, needing a power
supply, and a mechanical maintenance requirement) We had a traditional
septic tank for many years and I recall it needing emptying about once every
ten years as the undigestible sediment in the tank built up very slowly.
Our tank served a household of five and did not cause any problems as to
smells etc. We used to chuck a dead rabbit in when it was emptied as a
starter for the bug colony but country lore used to say a dead cat was the
idealg
As we had a septic tank we got a reduction in water bils so it paid for
itself as to emptying charges