Understanding Wastewater Treatment Systems

Remote construction sites often rely on decentralised wastewater treatment systems, as mains drainage is typically unavailable. These systems usually consist of septic tanks or onsite sewage treatment plants designed to manage waste from welfare facilities such as toilets, showers, and sinks.

When wastewater enters the system, it travels through inlet pipes from welfare units to a primary chamber in the septic tank. Here, solids settle at the bottom to form sludge, while lighter materials such as oils rise to the surface to form a scum layer. The liquid in the middle - known as effluent - then flows into a secondary chamber or directly to a drain field, depending on the setup.

Treatment within the tank takes place through either aerobic or anaerobic biological treatment. Aerobic systems use oxygen to help bacteria break down organic matter, while anaerobic systems rely on bacteria that function without oxygen. Both approaches reduce the pollutant load before the liquid either enters a treatment plant for further processing or disperses into the surrounding soil via a drain field.

Drain fields - also known as soakaways or leach fields - are made up of perforated pipes buried in trenches. These allow treated effluent to seep into the ground where it undergoes further natural filtration.

Your Legal Obligations

Construction managers are responsible for meeting the legal requirements that are in place to protect public health and the environment. These should be considered when installing and operating wastewater treatment systems in remote areas. Several pieces of legislation apply, each setting clear standards for how waste must be managed, treated and disposed of.

• The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016: these regulations govern the discharge of treated wastewater to ground or surface water. If your system discharges less than the specified daily threshold - 2 cubic metres to ground or 5 cubic metres to surface water - it may be covered by the general binding rules. If these thresholds are exceeded, or if the discharge location is in a sensitive area, you will need a permit from the Environment Agency.
• The Building Regulations 2010 (Part H - Drainage and Waste Disposal): Part H sets minimum construction and performance standards for wastewater drainage systems. This includes septic tanks, private treatment plants, and drainage fields. Systems must be installed to allow safe use, maintenance, and access for disposal.
• The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 34 - Duty of Care): this legislation places a legal duty on all those who produce, carry, keep, treat, or dispose of controlled waste. You must prevent unauthorised disposal, stop waste from escaping your control, and use authorised waste carriers. A clear written description of the waste must accompany every transfer.
• The Water Resources Act 1991: this act supports the protection of watercourses including rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Any release of wastewater that causes pollution, or risks polluting controlled waters, is a prosecutable offence unless authorised by an environmental permit.
• The Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989: this legislation requires that anyone transporting controlled waste, including wastewater, must be a registered waste carrier. Waste must be handled by licensed professionals only.

Wastewater Treatment Best Practices

For remote construction sites, managing wastewater effectively requires planning, oversight and compliance with environmental standards. While legislation sets the baseline, adopting best practice measures can prevent disruption and support efficient site operations.

Adopt a site waste management plan (SWMP)

Although not a legal requirement, implementing an SWMP is strongly recommended. This document outlines the types and quantities of waste your site will produce, including wastewater. It sets out how waste will be handled, stored, and disposed of, who is responsible at each stage, and how compliance will be monitored. For remote projects with limited infrastructure, a clear plan supports consistency across the site team and helps reduce risk.

Implement remote monitoring

Depending on the length and complexity of your project, implementing remote monitoring into your wastewater treatment plants and drain fields can improve the management of wastewater on remote construction sites. Many wastewater treatment technologies now include innovative solutions for off-site monitoring, allowing you to track pH levels, flow rates, and overall system performance in real time.

This supports early fault detection and allows for predictive maintenance, helping to reduce unplanned downtime and avoid unnecessary site disruption. By identifying where intervention is needed, you can allocate resources more effectively and maintain consistent treatment performance throughout the project while reducing operational costs.

Use a licensed wastewater carrier

Organising wastewater removal through a licensed carrier is part of your duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. All waste must be collected, transported, and disposed of by a registered professional. Using a licensed contractor helps you meet your legal obligations and reduces the risk of enforcement action linked to improper or unlawful disposal.

Universal Tankers is fully registered to transport and dispose of controlled waste in compliance with all regulations.

Universal Tankers' Wastewater Disposal Services

At Universal Tankers, we specialise in supporting remote and off-grid construction sites with dependable wastewater collection and disposal services. Whether you require regular scheduled collections or a one-off removal, we offer flexible service options designed to match the operational needs of your site.

Our network includes 19 strategically located depots across England and Scotland, enabling us to provide rapid response times and consistent coverage. We guarantee next-day service anywhere in England and Scotland, helping you avoid unnecessary delays and maintain site productivity.

Emergency call-outs are also available for unexpected issues. Our team is on hand to respond quickly and minimise disruption to your welfare facilities.

Access is never a barrier. Our modern fleet includes off-road capable vehicles such as the Univore - engineered specifically for use in hard-to-reach and environmentally challenging locations. No matter the terrain or site conditions, we are equipped to reach you and carry out safe, compliant wastewater removal.

With over 30 years of industry experience, Universal Tankers is trusted by contractors nationwide to keep their sites operational, compliant, and ready for work.