Septic Tank & Treatment Plant Installation
Complete off-mains drainage solutions for septic tank replacement, new installations and sewage treatment plant upgrades.
Clearflow Surveys provides septic tank and sewage treatment plant installation across Cheshire and the North West. From assessing an existing system and testing ground conditions through to installation and handover, we can help determine the right solution for your property.
Septic Tank Replacement & Installation
If your property isn't connected to the mains sewer, your septic tank or sewage treatment system plays a critical role in managing wastewater safely and effectively.
Older systems can deteriorate, drainage fields can fail and existing installations may no longer be suitable for the property they serve. In other cases, a new off-mains drainage system may be required for a new build, conversion or development.
We assess the complete drainage arrangement before recommending a solution. Depending on the property, ground conditions and proposed discharge, this may involve replacing an existing septic tank, installing a new drainage field or upgrading the property to a package sewage treatment plant.
When does a septic tank need replacing?
A problem with an off-mains drainage system does not necessarily mean the tank itself needs to be replaced.
Before recommending a new installation, it is important to understand what is causing the issue. Problems can arise from the tank, connecting drainage, drainage field or the way the existing system has been installed.
Replacement or upgrading may be appropriate where:
The existing tank is damaged or structurally unsound
The drainage field has failed or become saturated
The system is no longer suitable for the property
An existing discharge arrangement needs upgrading
Property alterations have increased the required capacity
A new off-mains drainage system is being installed
If the condition of the existing system is unknown, we can carry out a Septic Tank Survey before recommending the appropriate next step.
Septic Tank or Sewage Treatment Plant?
Septic Tanks
A septic tank separates and partially treats wastewater before the liquid effluent passes into a suitable drainage field, where further treatment takes place naturally within the ground.
For properties with suitable ground conditions and sufficient space, a correctly designed septic tank and drainage field can provide an effective off-mains drainage solution.
Sewage Treatment Plants
A package sewage treatment plant provides a higher level of treatment before wastewater leaves the system.
Treatment plants can provide an alternative where a traditional septic tank arrangement is unsuitable, where an existing system needs upgrading or where the proposed discharge requires a higher standard of treatment.
We assess the site before recommending which approach is appropriate rather than simply replacing an existing tank like-for-like.
Our Installation Process
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We inspect the existing drainage arrangement, understand how the property is currently served and establish the available options for replacement or installation.
Where an existing system is present, CCTV surveying and drainage tracing can also be used to understand how the network connects.
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The proposed discharge route is considered alongside the available space and ground conditions.
Where wastewater is intended to discharge to ground through a new drainage field, percolation testing may be required to determine whether the soil is suitable and provide the information needed to size the drainage field.
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Once the site requirements are understood, an appropriate septic tank or sewage treatment plant can be specified based on the property, expected loading and proposed discharge arrangement.
The aim is to design the complete system around the site rather than selecting a tank in isolation.
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The existing system is decommissioned or replaced as required before the new tank or treatment plant, associated drainage and discharge arrangement are installed.
Works are planned around the individual site to minimise disruption wherever practical.
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Once installation is complete, the system is checked and commissioned before being handed over to the property owner.
We explain the new drainage arrangement and the ongoing servicing and maintenance requirements of the installed system.
Drainage Field Installation
A septic tank is only one part of a traditional off-mains drainage system. Where wastewater is discharged to ground, the drainage field plays an essential role in dispersing and further treating the effluent after it leaves the tank.
The size and layout of a drainage field depends on factors including the number of people the system serves and how quickly the surrounding soil can absorb wastewater.
Clearflow can carry out the required site investigation and percolation testing before designing and installing the drainage field as part of the wider system.
This means the tank, connecting drainage and drainage field can be considered together rather than as separate parts of the project.
Why Choose Clearflow Surveys?
Replacing an off-mains drainage system starts with understanding why the existing system has failed and what the property actually needs.
Clearflow combines drainage surveying with installation capability, allowing us to investigate the existing system before recommending a replacement.
Our wider off-mains services include septic tank surveys, CCTV drainage inspection, drain tracing, percolation testing and system installation, providing a joined-up approach from initial investigation through to completion.
We provide:
Septic tank replacement and installation
Package sewage treatment plant installation
Drainage field installation
Existing system investigation
CCTV drainage surveying and tracing
Percolation testing
Complete project support from assessment to handover
Our focus is on recommending an appropriate solution for the property rather than simply replacing what is already there.
Past Projects
Septic Tank Replacement & Treatment Plant Installation – Haslington
Following a property extension, we identified that the existing septic tank system no longer met current requirements. We designed and delivered a new packaged wastewater treatment plant, including new drainage connections and a compliant outfall to a nearby watercourse.
The project was managed from initial survey through to Building Control approval, installation, testing and commissioning, providing the homeowner with a compliant long-term solution while avoiding the cost and delay of connecting to the public sewer.
Treatment Plant & Drainage Field Installation – Congleton
We were asked to assess a shared septic tank system serving a Grade II listed property and deliver a fully independent off-mains drainage solution.
Following site investigation and percolation testing, we designed and installed a new packaged treatment plant and drainage field within the homeowner’s own land, including the associated drainage connections and groundworks.
The completed installation removed reliance on neighbouring land, avoided easement and access complications, and provided a compliant long-term wastewater solution tailored to the property.
Septic Tank Replacement & Treatment Plant Installation – Hanchurch
We carried out a septic tank survey to assess the condition and suitability of the existing off-mains drainage system at a property in Hanchurch, Staffordshire.
Following the survey, we helped design an appropriate replacement system and then worked with the client to decommission the existing septic tank and install a new package sewage treatment plant.
The completed installation provided the property with an upgraded, more suitable long-term wastewater treatment solution.
Septic Tank Replacement & Treatment Plant Installation – Eaton
We carried out a septic tank survey at a farm in Eaton, Cheshire to assess the condition and suitability of the existing off-mains drainage system.
Following the survey, we decommissioned the existing septic tank and replaced it with a new package sewage treatment plant, connecting the upgraded system into the property's existing outfall to a nearby stream.
The completed installation provided the site with an improved wastewater treatment system while retaining the existing discharge route.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A septic tank provides primary treatment before wastewater passes into a drainage field for further treatment within the ground.
A sewage treatment plant uses additional treatment processes to produce a higher-quality effluent before discharge.
The most appropriate system depends on the property, ground conditions and proposed discharge arrangement.
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Problems such as recurring blockages, sewage smells, saturated ground or poor drainage performance can indicate an issue with the system, but they do not always mean the tank needs replacing.
A survey can help establish whether the problem is with the tank, connecting drainage or drainage field before replacement is considered.
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Yes. Where a treatment plant is more appropriate for the property and discharge arrangement, an existing septic tank can be decommissioned and replaced with a suitable package treatment plant.
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Where a new drainage field is proposed, ground conditions need to be assessed to establish whether wastewater can disperse effectively and to inform the required drainage field size.
We provide percolation testing as part of our off-mains drainage services.
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The cost depends on the system required, site access, excavation, ground conditions, existing drainage and the proposed discharge arrangement.
A site assessment allows us to understand the work required and provide an appropriate quotation.
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Installation costs vary depending on the size and type of treatment plant, excavation requirements, electrical works, discharge arrangement and site conditions.
We assess the property before specifying the system and preparing a quotation.
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Yes. Package sewage treatment plants contain mechanical and electrical components and require ongoing servicing and desludging in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.
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Yes. Our septic tank surveys can investigate the existing tank, associated drainage and discharge arrangement before you commit to replacement works.