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Sewage Treatment Plants

Modern systems for properties not served by mains sewers

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Sewage Treatment Plants in Cumbria

Where conventional septic tanks or cesspits don’t comply with discharge regulations—or your site demands higher treatment output—sewage treatment plants (STPs) are the solution. At Unblock Cumbria, we specialise in the design, installation, maintenance, and servicing of sewage treatment plants throughout Cumbria and the Scottish Borders. From homes to commercial sites and rural developments, we deliver compliant, efficient systems built for long-term performance.

We guide you from site survey and system choice through to full installation, commissioning, servicing plans, and regulatory compliance. With the right treatment plant in place, treated effluent can be discharged safely into watercourses or soakaways (where permitted), meeting modern environmental standards.

What is a Sewage Treatment Plant?

A sewage treatment plant is a self-contained underground system designed to process and purify wastewater from homes, businesses, or small communities.

Instead of sending waste to the mains sewer, the plant treats the incoming wastewater on site. Through a series of biological and mechanical stages, solids are separated, and the remaining liquid is treated to a standard that allows safe discharge — either to a soakaway system or, where permitted, directly into a local watercourse.

The positioning and design of each treatment plant must comply with Environment Agency (EA) regulations to ensure safe and sustainable operation.

These systems are commonly installed in rural or off-grid properties where there is no access to the public sewer network. They offer an efficient, environmentally responsible, and often more cost-effective alternative to laying long lengths of connection pipework. By treating wastewater on site, a sewage treatment plant reduces infrastructure costs while maintaining high environmental standards.

Our Services

  • Site surveys, soil & percolation tests, and layout planning

  • System design & engineering: aerobic, package plants, MBR, SBR, etc.

  • Installation of clear/clarifier chambers, diffused aeration systems, and final discharge works

  • Commissioning, start-up, and quality checks

  • Maintenance contracts — servicing, pump checks, cleaning, electrical checks

  • Bio-media replacement, aerator servicing, sludge removal

  • Monitoring, compliance reporting, and environmental audits

  • Upgrades, retrofits, and expansions of existing systems

We can recommend the correct system type and size based on occupancy, discharge regulations, topography, and site constraints — ensuring you always install a system suited to your needs.

Why It’s Important

  • Compliance with discharge regulations — Many septic systems no longer meet stringent Environmental Agency or planning rules

  • Higher treatment standards — Treatment plants reduce BOD, ammonia, and suspended solids to safe levels

  • Safe discharge to waters or soakaways — Permitted in many areas when effluent is correctly treated

  • Better long-term resilience — STPs are engineered for performance under variable loads

  • Future-proofing developments — For multi-occupancy housing, commercial premises, or sites with limited soakaway capacity

A well-installed STP offers better performance, compliance, and peace of mind for many years.

Why Choose Us?

  • Full in-house capability — survey, design, install, and maintain

  • Accredited & experienced team in wastewater systems

  • Full regulatory support — permits, discharge consent, and reporting

  • Transparent quotation and design options

  • Support with seasonal management, load variance, and remote sites

  • Maintenance plans to preserve system performance and reduce downtime

  • Local presence across Cumbria & Scottish Borders — quick support when needed

We don’t just hand over the system — we ensure ongoing performance, support, and compliance.

Areas We Cover

We’re proud to serve customers throughout Cumbria and beyond, including:

If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, just give us a call — our friendly team will be happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

What types of sewage treatment systems are available?

Common types include package plants, activated sludge, septic tank with dosing, MBR (membrane bioreactor), SBR (sequencing batch reactor) systems. Selection depends on site conditions, discharge limits, and occupancy.

How often should treatment plants be serviced?

Generally, STPs require servicing every 3 to 12 months, depending on model and usage. This includes sludge removal, aerator checks, bio-media cleaning, and electrical controls.

Do I need permit or consent to discharge?

Often, yes. Many locations require discharge permits from the Environment Agency or local water authority. We can manage the application process, monitoring, and compliance reporting for you.

What happens if the plant fails?

Failure may lead to system overflow, odours, non-compliance, or damage. We offer emergency repair and backup services to restore operation promptly.

Can treatment plants handle variable/seasonal demand?

Yes — modern plants are designed with buffer capacity and adaptive controls to cope with variable flows (e.g. holiday homes, seasonal sites).

Get Your Free Quote

Looking to install or overhaul a sewage treatment plant? Call 01900 870 140 or complete our contact form. We’ll assess your site, guide you through system choice, and deliver a compliant, high-performance solution.