Commercial Sewage Treatment Plants
Commercial sewage treatment plants are large-scale waste removal systems that are installed on commercial properties.
They are an excellent off-mains solution if your property is in a rural area, or can’t be connected to the public network. Kind to the environment, they are an increasingly popular choice for businesses seeking to strengthen their green credentials.
We asked our in-house experts at OMDI to explain how commercial sewage treatment plants work and why they might become a preferred choice for you.
What Are Commercial Sewage Treatment Plants?
Commercial sewage treatment plants are designed to help properties and businesses dispose of wastewater or sewage in a clean and efficient manner.
They are entirely independent of the main sewage systems, and use a process that breaks down waste into a clean product that can then be directly discharged into a nearby waterway, like a stream or river, without damaging the environment. It is a sustainable process that has many benefits for commercial business owners.
Why Would Someone Need a Commercial Sewage Treatment Plant?
There are many motives why a business might want to install a sewage treatment plant at its premises. However two stand out.
First, if it is located in a rural area some distance from a public system.
And, second, if it has established wanting to become more environment-friendly to its agenda.
Commercial sewage treatment plants are cost-effective and sustainable, making them an attractive long-term investment for business owners. They can save money on bills paid to the local authority. Despite initial upfront costs to cover for installation, a sewage treatment plant at makes that sum back.
The plants can be set up quickly and, with regular servicing, are able to function indefinitely. They also produce minimal odours and disruption to the running of a property.Because the wastewater is treated, there’s no harm to the environment and it can be discharged directly into surrounding watercourses.
How Do Commercial Sewage Treatment Plants Work?
The benefits of installing a sewage treatment plant at your commercial premises are obvious. But how do these systems work to produce treated wastewater that doesn’t pollute the environment?
Commercial sewage treatment plants function in the same way as regular sewage treatment plants designed for domestic properties.
The major difference between a sewage treatment plant installed in a home and one at a commercial property is that the latter is designed to cope with a higher quantity of sewage.
While a home sewage treatment plant might deal with household waste from four or five people, commercial sewage treatment plants are able to service business premises where 200 people, or more, go to work.
They function according to similar principles as septic tanks. However, sewage treatment plants can handle larger quantities of waste, producing a cleaner discharge.
Commercial sewage treatment plants use a generator or electricity source to power a motor that circulates air within the system. That air is used by naturally-occurring bacteria in the plant to break down wastewater pumped into the system. Harmful substances are destroyed as a result and, after several stages of treatment, the wastewater is clean enough to be pumped back into the local environment.It’s an efficient system, and the process can be separated into distinct steps comprising physical, chemical and biological processes.
Pre-Treatment
Waste that’s pumped from a commercial building first needs to go through a pre-treatment stage, where large objects and solids are removed.
These can include anything from plastic to food.They risk causing damage to the plant later in the process, so it’s essential they don’t make it any further.
Primary Treatment
Next the waste is pumped into a settlement zone, where the primary treatment stage occurs. There, liquids are separated from larger substances as part of a natural process within the tank.
Liquids rise to the top, while larger substances collect at the bottom because of their different densities.
Bacteria within the settlement tank work anaerobically – without oxygen – and start to break down harmful substances.
Sludge that forms at the foot of the tank has to be periodically emptied, usually during the plant’s annual service. Liquids are then moved to a secondary treatment stage.
Secondary Treatment
In the secondary treatment stage, aerobic bacteria use the oxygen circulated by a motor to break down more harmful substances in the wastewater.
This is also referred to as ‘biological treatment’ because it is a naturally-occurring process that treats toxins in the waste before producing clean water.
This is, in many ways, the most important stage because without the aerobic bacteria the wastewater would be too toxic to be discharged safely. Once the wastewater has been ‘cleaned’ by the bacteria, it then moves into a final stage of the process.
Tertiary Treatment
The final part of treatment, the ‘tertiary treatment stage’, is where wastewater goes through a final round of cleansing in order to kill any remaining harmful substances that might have survived.
Chemicals might be used to ensure the water is as clean as it possibly can be before it’s discharged.
This final stage helps to produce clean wastewater that meets environmental standards set by the government. Together, the individual elements within commercial sewage treatment plants form an environment-friendly and efficient system of removing wastewater from a business premises.
Where Are Commercial Sewage Treatment Plants Located?
Commercial sewage treatment plants are usually located on premises that don’t have access to public sewer systems. Ordinarily this means rural, countryside locations away from large towns and cities.
The treatment plant is always positioned clear of the buildings, and its precise setting must adhere to a stringent set of regulations laid out by the local authority in order to meet both environmental and health and safety concerns. These are known as the general binding rules, and they stipulate several requirements when it comes to a location.
Regulations vary, but OMDI can advise on the best spot for installing a commercial sewage treatment plant at your address.
Treatment plants must be a minimum distance from a property and water sources, especially if your business is in a protected area.
Distances can also vary according to the size and capacity of the sewage treatment plant.It’s essential to get the location right, which is why we recommend working with experts in the team at OMDI to design and plan your commercial sewage treatment plant.
How Much Do Commercial Sewage Treatment Plants Cost?
The cost of commercial sewage treatment plants depends on a variety of factors.With that in mind, the most sensible approach is to call us.
Our experts will listen to understand your requirements, providing a bespoke service. However you should rest assured that our prices are competitive.
The overall cost of installing a sewage treatment plant at your commercial property depends primarily its capacity. For commercial properties, we can fit anywhere from 6PE (units designed for 6 person buildings) to 200PE.
For bigger projects, talk to us.
We also must factor in the cost of equipment, and the length of time it will take to finish the job. Our engineers survey your property, conduct preliminary tests, and work within local laws and regulations.
We install complete systems or renovate existing ones.
We also know that commercial sewage treatment plants need regular servicing to keep them in optimal condition.Our offer extends to servicing and repairs too.
Get Your Free Quote Today
With more than two decades’ experience in the sector, there’s no one better to call than OMDI when you need to install commercial sewage treatment plants.
Our experts are waiting to help you with your commercial sewage questions.Contact OMDI today for a free, no-obligation quote.