WASTE-WATER / SEWAGE
Wastewater (sewage) collection and treatment requirements are becoming ever more stringent and the developing of a site can often only progress through the employment of "new" treatment and other management techniques. Indeed, numerous developments experience delays or near intractable problems as a result of drainage related issues, especially at planning application stage when SEPA objects to the application on account of little detail on drainage. JIG specialises in securing practical solutions for these more complicated situations and in producing drainage reports to accompany planning applications for the sites concerned.
JIG and SEWAGE
As ex-regulators we put that previous experience to use by, for example, challenging the authorities when they ask for more than is legally or environmentally required. Nobody really benefits from "gold-plating". We have helped achieve large savings for many of our clients on both water and sewage problems.
Traditional Septic Tank and Soakaway
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Septic tanks and soakaways can offer an extremely sustainable solution in the right location and this is always the answer JIG searches for first. Unfortunately, the last ice age has not left a large percentage of Scotland with soil and subsoil deposits that are conducive to such a simple system, however, one should always test to find out. JIG undertakes the proper investigations required to ensure that a soakaway solution, where possible, will work and will not result in ponding of grey sewage effluent in your garden. JIG will also ensure that an alternative is advised where the ground conditions are not good. People purchasing “serviced plots” depicting septic tank and soakaway solutions should be aware that testing of the ground may not have been undertaken and that such a solution might not be possible. We would suggest potential purchasers satisfy themselves that a plot can be drained of sewage and surface water legally before making that huge purchase.
Raised Mound Filters
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Also referred to as raised mounds or infiltration mounds these are becoming ever more prevalent across Scotland. In the right location these can allow development to proceed where other treatment technologies might not have offered satisfactory environmental protection and JIG has designed a few in the past. However, there is usually a better alternative and JIG has not designed a raised mound for over 5 years as they are often extremely costly, unsightly and give rise to problems. JIG does not believe they are the panacea to all constrained sites and their poor location, on steeper slopes with poorly draining topsoils, often leads to system failure.
Package Biological Treatment Plant
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Where unsuitable ground or watercourse conditions preclude the use of a simple septic tank for basic sewage treatment the use of a package biological treatment plant often provides the higher effluent quality required by the regulators. There are innumerbale systems on the market and choice can be more than a little confusing. JIG is entirely independent from any manufacturer as different sites require different plant depending on site specific circumstances, however, there is a limited number of manufacturers from which JIG has had first hand experience of good after sales back-up. In alphabetical order, JIG tends to work with Balmoral (all types) Bord na Mona (Puraflo System), Conder (all types), KEE (NuDisc), Klargester (all types) and WPL (alll types via Hutchinson Environmental Limited).
The biological processes that take place in these package plants are to all intents purely natural and can be readily replicated, however, it is when something goes wrong that the higher quality manufacturers with the technical support and maintenance crews come into their own. Buying cheap can certainly be a false economy.
Horizontal Reedbed Systems
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The most common uses of horizontal flow reedbed systems are in a secondary treatment function, to augment primary treatment of sewage provided via a septic tank and as tertiary treatment subsequent to a package sewage treatment plant.
They are mainly used to remove BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and Suspended Solids and do little to remove ammonia (nitrification). Subsequent to a nitrification process they can, however, assist in the removal of nitrate and nitrite (denitrification). Horizontal flow systems offering secondary treatment are some 5 times larger than those offering tertiary treatment and land-take issues need to be borne in mind. JIG recommends careful design based on a full appreciation of the incoming flows and loads and the ability of the system to be properly managed.
Vertical Reedbed Systems
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Vertical flow reedbed systems are primarily designed by JIG to assist in the nitrification of effluents after they have been treated to a secondary standard by a package biological treatment plant.
They require both careful design and attentive on-going management, however, with the ever increasing need to remove List II substances such as ammonia from our waters, a large number of new installations are inevitable.