What Is an On-Site Wastewater Treatment System?

An on-site wastewater treatment system is used to store and treat black and greywater waste in locations without a connection to a mains sewer network. This wastewater may contain human waste, organic chemicals such as oils and grease and pathogenic microorganisms, and inorganic chemicals including heavy metals, that must be removed before water can return to the environment. These systems are common on rural properties, construction sites and remote facilities that require independent wastewater management.

A typical set-up includes an on-site wastewater treatment plant, a drain field (also known as a subsurface wastewater infiltration system) and a soakaway. The treatment plant and septic tank work together to separate solids from liquids, using biological treatment processes to break down waste and remove disease-causing microorganisms. Anaerobic or aerobic organisms reduce the volume of solids and improve the quality of the effluent.

Partially treated liquid then flows into the drain field for further treatment, where filtration and microbial action remove remaining particles and impurities. Cleaned water is gradually released into the surrounding soil surface through a soakaway or infiltration system, while sludge stays in the tank until it is removed by a licensed professional.

This process provides reliable, compliant treatment of wastewater on-site and helps protect local watercourses and soil quality when systems are working correctly.

What Wastewater Management Practices Should Be Implemented?

You can take clear steps to minimise downtime of your wastewater treatment system, extend the lifespan of your equipment and comply with UK regulations governing wastewater.

Carry out maintenance regularly

Regular maintenance at fixed intervals supports the effective operation of wastewater treatment systems. Scheduled servicing and inspections typically cost far less than reactive repairs and unplanned emergency call-outs. Ongoing maintenance also helps to maintain compliance with environmental regulations and protect surrounding areas from contamination.

Desludging should take place at least once a year and be carried out by a licensed professional. Systems handling larger wastewater volumes or experiencing heavier use may require more frequent desludging to maintain storage capacity and prevent blockages.

Routine checks carried out monthly or quarterly can identify wear, build-up, or mechanical issues before they escalate. Proactive maintenance allows you to keep the system working efficiently, reduce the risk of system failure, and maintain consistent wastewater management standards across your site.

Implement technology

Using technology effectively can strengthen the reliability and efficiency of your wastewater treatment system. Remote sensors are available to monitor a wide range of factors that affect performance and compliance. These include early signs of equipment failure, pH levels of surrounding soils and surface waters, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, the volume of suspended solids and soil particles, and flow rates.

By installing these sensors in on-site treatment systems, you can access real-time data and quickly identify any deviations from normal operating conditions. Monitoring these factors dynamically enables you to keep within the requirements set out for wastewater discharge and treatment, supporting compliance with environmental regulations and protecting local soil and water quality.

This level of oversight allows you to react before small issues develop into more serious problems. It also supports accurate record-keeping and reporting, which are often required under legislation.

Choose the right pumps

Selecting the right pumps is an important step in maintaining reliable wastewater treatment. Pumps frequently face challenges such as blockages, abrasion and cavitation. An up-front investment in pumps suited to your site requirements will help you avoid unnecessary downtime and repair costs over the longer term.

• Centrifugal pumps are widely used for general wastewater transfer. They are effective for moving large volumes at a steady flow rate but can be less suitable where high solids content is present.
• Submersible pumps operate while fully submerged, making them well suited to handling sludge, suspended solids and wastewater with varying consistency. Their design reduces the risk of air locking and improves operational efficiency in confined spaces.
• Progressive cavity pumps are ideal for transferring viscous, abrasive or shear-sensitive materials. Their steady, low-pulse flow protects the integrity of the liquid and supports accurate dosing and transfer.
• Peristaltic pumps offer gentle handling and precise flow control, making them suitable for applications where maintaining the quality of the pumped fluid is necessary. They can also handle corrosive or abrasive liquids with minimal wear to internal components.

Matching the pump type to the nature of your wastewater and the demands of your treatment system supports consistent performance and extends the working life of your equipment.

Regular wastewater disposal

By regularly emptying your septic tanks and using a licensed professional waste handler such as Universal Tankers, you can minimise downtime of your wastewater treatment system, extend the lifespan of your equipment and comply with UK regulations governing wastewater.

Legislation such as the general binding rules sets out requirements for how wastewater must be discharged into surrounding soils. The Environment Act 2021 protects water bodies and the wider environment from pollution, while the Water Industry Act 1991 provides guidance to safeguard public health and drinking water sources from contamination.

Failure to meet these standards can lead to substantial fines and other repercussions. Keeping your septic tanks in optimal working condition through established best practices can reduce the risk of penalties for non-compliance and supports reliable performance.

How Universal Tankers Can Help You Save Costs and Stay Compliant

At Universal Tankers, we specialise in handling wastewater efficiently and in line with all UK legislation. Our services cover both commercial and domestic wastewater, with flexible servicing schedules tailored to your site requirements. Where needed, we provide emergency callouts with a next day guarantee anywhere across England and Scotland, supported by our 19 strategically located depots and our modern, durable fleet of tankers.

We hold accreditations with FORS, Achilles, ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management and ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety. Our commitment to these standards means you can rely on us to deliver a professional, compliant service every time.

Whether you operate an on-site treatment system in a rural location or manage wastewater on a busy construction project, we can enable you to extend the life of your septic systems, reduce unplanned downtime and save money on repairs.