Septic Tank Soakaway Design Guide: The Easy, Affordable, and UK-Compliant Solution
Are you looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to manage wastewater at your home or off-grid location? Our septic tank soakaway kits could be the answer. Designed for simplicity, affordability, and full compliance with UK regulations, these kits will streamline your septic system installation.
What’s Included in Our Septic Tank Soakaway Kits
- Shallow Dig, Low Profile Septic Tank: Easy installation and minimal ground disturbance.
- 110mm Single Socket Pipes (5 x 3 meter lengths): Durable and convenient for connecting your system.
- 320mm Inspection Chamber: For simple maintenance access.
- Drainage Field Crates (8): Innovative, space-saving alternative to traditional soakaway designs.
Why Choose Our Kits?
- UK Building Control, Environment Agency, and General Binding Rules Approved: Ensures total regulatory compliance.
- DIY-Friendly Installation: Save thousands on professional installation costs. No concrete or electricity needed.
- Superior to Herringbone Soakaways: Smaller footprint for compact sites.
- Rapid Delivery and Free Shipping: Get your kit within 7 working days, with no delivery fees in the UK.
- Excellent for Clay Soil: Works effectively even in less-than-ideal ground conditions.
- Kits Tailored for Your Needs: We offer kits sized for 1-8 bedroom properties, as well as glamping sites, camping locations, and shepherd huts.
The Simplified Installation Process
- Dig a Hole: Prepare the space for your tank, inspection chamber, and drainage crates.
- Install the Components: Position the tank, chamber, and crates.
- Connect the Pipework: Link the components with the provided pipes.
- Backfill with Soil or Gravel: Fill in around the components.
Fast, Effective, and Affordable
Installation takes roughly 3 hours, and our kits start from just £1999. Compare that to the £12,000-£15,000 you’d pay for a professional firm to do the job, and you’ll see the incredible savings potential.
Environment Agency Approved for Small Sewage Discharge
Our kits fall under the Environment Agency’s General Binding Rules, making them a compliant choice that helps protect the environment, especially if you are within the bounds of small sewage discharge regulations UK.
Ready to Get Started?
Explore our range of septic tank soakaway kits and discover the perfect match for your property. If you have any questions, our team is here to help.
What is a septic tank soakaway kit?
A septic tank soakaway kit is a complete package for installing a private sewage system. It includes:
- Shallow dig septic tank: A low-profile tank to store and partially treat wastewater.
- Pipes: Used to connect the tank to the drainage field.
- Inspection chamber: Provides access for maintenance.
- Drainage field crates: An effective alternative to a traditional herringbone soakaway, allowing treated wastewater to safely disperse into the soil.
Are these septic tank soakaway kits approved by the Environment Agency and UK Building Regs?
Yes, the kits are specifically designed to meet the standards set by both the Environment Agency and UK Building Regulations. This ensures they are safe, environmentally friendly, and will gain necessary planning permission.
How easy are these septic tank soakaway kits to install?
The kits are designed for easy installation. The process is straightforward:
- Dig a hole
- Insert the tank, inspection chamber, and drainage crates
- Connect the pipes
- Backfill with soil or gravel
No concrete or electricity is needed, and the installation can be done professionally or as a DIY project.
How much does a septic tank soakaway kit cost?
- Kit price: Kits start at only £1999.
- Potential savings: Compared to the £12,000-£15,000 cost of professional installation, these kits can save you at least £13,000.
- Sizing: Kits are available in sizes based on the number of bedrooms in the property, and also for other uses like glamping sites and shepherd huts.
What is a common septic tank soakaway design in the UK?
The most common type of septic tank soakaway design in the UK is a drainage field or infiltration trench system:
- Layout: A series of trenches filled with gravel or other permeable material. Perforated pipes run through these trenches.
- How it works: Effluent from the septic tank flows into the soakaway trenches, where it gradually seeps into the surrounding soil, undergoing natural filtration and treatment.
What are some of the septic tank soakaway designs approved by the Environment Agency and UK Building Regulations?
Approved designs generally stick to the drainage field concept, but variations exist:
- Traditional drainage fields: As described above, these are the most common.
- Crate soakaways: Modular plastic crates are stacked to create a large underground void. These have a smaller footprint than traditional trenches, making them suitable for limited space.
- Shallow soakaways: Used when ground conditions are not suitable for deep trenches.
Important Note: Specific soakaway design approval depends on site conditions, local regulations, and the results of a percolation test to determine soil drainage rate.
How easy are these septic tank soakaway kits to install?
- Skill and Labour: Septic tank soakaway kit installation requires a moderate level of DIY skill and physical effort. Excavation, pipe laying, and leveling are involved. You might need 1-2 people to assist.
- Crate systems: These tend to be the easiest to install, as they are lighter and require less excavation than traditional trench systems.
- Professional installation: If you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, it’s highly recommended to hire a professional installer to ensure the system is correctly installed, meets regulations, and functions properly.
How much does a septic tank soakaway kit cost?
Costs vary depending on several factors:
- Size: Larger soakaways to handle higher volumes of wastewater will be costlier.
- Type: Crate systems tend to be slightly more expensive than traditional drainage fields.
- Materials: Prices fluctuate based on the materials included in the kit.
- Installation: Professional installation adds significant cost to the project.
Rough Estimate: Expect to pay anywhere from £500 to £2500+ for the soakaway kit itself. Professional installation could add another £1000 to £3000 or more.
Important Considerations
- Always consult with your local council and the Environment Agency before installing a septic tank soakaway.
- A percolation test is mandatory to determine your soil type and the required size of your soakaway.
- Getting multiple quotes for kits and installation is essential for budgeting.
UK Government Regulatory Links:
UK Building Control: https://buildingcontrol.planningportal.co.uk/
General Binding Rules: https://www.generalbindingrules.co.uk/general-binding-rules
Environment Agency Regulations: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-the-ground
British Water Guidelines: https://www.britishwater.co.uk/page/Accreditation-Certificationcertified-small-wastewater-treatment-systems-for-up-to-50-pt
Septic Tank Discharge Regulations: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water/reform-regulatory-system-small-sewage-discharges/results/your-sewage-your-environment-leaflet-july-2015.pdf