Piping and Layout Drawings

waste systems for off-mains drainage

If you have a property that utilises an off-mains drainage solution (i.e. a sewage treatment plant, septic tank, or cesspool) instead of a connection to the mains sewers, operation and maintenance of your soil and waste systems become a lot more strict. If you put the wrong thing down a sink or toilet connected to the mains sewer, you might clog it up and need to call out a plumber. If you put the wrong thing down a sink or toilet connected to an off-mains drainage solution, you might cause a blockage, destroy the beneficial bacteria, compromise the storage tank, or flood your drainage field and potentially cause an environmental hazard that you, yourself, will be responsible/liable for.

Most of the things you should avoid putting down off-mains drains are fairly obvious, such as nappies, toilet wipes, motor oil, paint thinners etc. However, there are many other things that many of us wouldn't think twice about if used to being connected to the mains system, such as antibacterial cleaning agents and handwash, fats and cooking oil, and even certain washing detergents. All of these things can cause problems in sewage treatment plants and septic tanks. For more advice on this, check out the "Operation" and "Maintenance"

Other Important Resources:

 How to install a sewage treatment plant and How to install a septic tank 

Soil Pipe and Waste Pipe Systems: Frequently Asked Questions

Soil Vent Pipes vs Air Admittance Valves - which option is best for soil and waste systems?

Push-Fit or Solvent Weld - which waste pipe system is better?

Ring Seal or Solvent Weld - which soil pipe system is better?

Guttering: Frequently Asked Questions

• Related
• Underground Drainage
• Sewage Treatment
• Surface Water Drainage
• Channel Drain
• Ducting Systems
• Mains Supply
• Storage Tanks
• Rainwater, Soil & Waste
• Tools & Accessories

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