Sand Filters Sewerage Treatment Plant Servicing

Are you worried your home sewage treatment plant isn't working effectively or safely? Then domestic treatment plant servicing is for you.

Domestic sewerage treatment plants are essential components in managing wastewater in residential areas where centralised sewage systems are not available. These systems use aeration or sand filters to promote the breakdown of organic matter, ensuring that wastewater is treated effectively before being discharged into the environment. Proper servicing of these plants is crucial for maintaining their efficiency, prolonging their lifespan and meeting government regulations.

Understanding Sand filter Treatment Plants

Sand filter domestic sewage treatment systems operate on the principle of biological treatment, where microorganisms break down organic waste. The process generally includes several stages:

1. Primary Treatment: Similar to your old school septic tank the effluent is held for at least 24 hours for anaerobic bacteria to break down solids and turn sewerage into a liquid.
2. Aerated sand filter: Wastewater passes through an aerated sand filter which forms a home for aerobic bacteria that decompose organic pollutants.
3. Secondary Clarification: The treated water is allowed to settle, separating the activated sludge from the clarified effluent.
4. Disinfection: In some systems, the treated water undergoes disinfection to remove pathogens before discharge.

Routine Maintenance

Routine maintenance of your wastewater system is key to ensuring the smooth operation of the system. Regular servicing tasks include:

1. Inspection and Cleaning
   • Check for Blockages: Inspect inlet and outlet pipes for blockages or obstructions. Blockages can cause backflow or reduce the efficiency of the system.
   • Clean Screens and Filters: Remove and clean any screens or filters to ensure they are not clogged with debris.
   • Sludge Management: We use a sludge judge to check your sludge at least yearly to ensure no excess sludge is travelling through the system causing filters to block and pumps to fail.
2. Aeration System
   • Air blower filter either replaced or cleaned: For every service we will flush the sand filter to reduce the chance of blockages or build-up
3. Effluent quality
   • Inspect final pump out chamber effluent: We will do the following tests on the final effluent on every service, Clarity, PH and temperature – this is a good indication of full treatment normally if your effluent is clear it is a good indication of proper treatment.
4. Test System Controls
   • Chlorine: At every service, we check that the effluent is being sufficiently chlorinated to kill harmful bacteria in the effluent. At every service, we also restock the chlorine if needed.
   • Alarms working: It is very important to ensure at every service that alarms are operational and if they are not, get them fixed this will ensure that if something like a pump failing does happen you can get it fixed before it becomes even more of a problem
   • Test Control Panels: Ensure that control panels and sensors are functioning correctly. Regularly test alarms and indicators to ensure they are operational.
   • Verify Settings: Check and adjust operational settings according to manufacturer recommendations and system requirements.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite regular maintenance, issues may arise with a sand filter on site sewage treatment plants. Here are some common problems and their potential solutions:

1. Odor Problems
   • Cause: Unpleasant odours often result from anaerobic conditions in the aeration tank or insufficient aeration.
   • Solution: Increase aeration to promote aerobic conditions. Check and clean aeration devices and inspect for any blockages. Check what chemicals or medications may be in use.
2. Poor Performance
   • Cause: Reduced treatment efficiency can be caused by overloading, or chemicals/medication going down the drain
   • Solution: Assess and address any equipment issues, verify what is being used within the house, and ensure that the system is not overloaded. Regularly monitor water quality and adjust operational parameters as needed.
3. Excessive Sludge Build-Up
   • Cause: High sludge levels can result from inadequate sludge removal, overloading, or ineffective settling.
   • Solution: Organise a pump out from a licensed liquid waste removalist.
4. Pump Failures
   • Cause: Pumps may fail due to mechanical issues, blockages, or wear and tear.
   • Solution: Unfortunately if your pump fails generally the only fix is to replace it with a new one. 
5. Failed sand filter
   • Cause: Generally this is caused by a layer of sludge building up in the sand stopping water passing through or blocking pipe within the sand filter.
   • Solution: Whilst it may be possible to re-dig the sand filter to get it working again quite often you are better off replacing it with a new treatment plant

Ensuring Regulatory Maintenance Requirements

Compliance with local regulations and standards is essential not only does servicing your system ensure it will continue to work effectively. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that your treatment plant is serviced to protect human and environmental health. Your local government will enforce servicing and may fine you if you are not getting it serviced.

1. Effluent Quality Standards: Ensure that the treated effluent meets local quality standards for discharge. Regularly test water quality to ensure compliance.
2. Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, inspections, and any issues encountered. This documentation is crucial for regulatory inspections and audits.
3. Permits and Licenses: Ensure that all necessary permits and licenses are obtained and renewed as required. Compliance with permit conditions is mandatory to avoid legal and environmental issues.

Best Practices for Servicing

Adhering to best practices ensures the effective servicing of sand filter domestic sewage treatment plants:

1. Follow Manufacturer Guidelines: At Express Wastewater we ensure we always adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance and operation.
2. Train Personnel: All of our service technicians are not only trained in-house but they have also completed the government licensing course to ensure they are trained and licensed through the QBCC.
3. Use Quality Parts and Materials: When replacing parts or materials, we only use high-quality components to ensure durability and reliability.
4. Schedule Regular Maintenance: When getting your servicing done through Express Wastewater you no longer have to think about servicing your sewerage treatment plant with one easy yearly fee we take care of everything and will let you know when a service is due. We will implement a routine maintenance schedule to proactively address potential issues before they escalate.

HSTP servicing on site sewerage treatment plants is a crucial task that requires regular attention and expertise. By understanding the components and operation of these systems, performing routine maintenance, troubleshooting common issues, and ensuring regulatory compliance, you can maintain optimal performance and extend the lifespan of the treatment plant. Proper servicing not only ensures effective wastewater treatment but also contributes to environmental protection and public health. Contact Express Wastewater Solutions today for all your sand filter sewage treatment system maintenance needs.