Professional Drainage & Septic Tank Installation

This is a great question, especially for properties in rural areas of South Wales not connected to the main sewer. A septic tank is a simple system that separates solid waste from liquid waste. The liquid, called effluent, then flows into a soakaway or drainage field to be filtered naturally by the soil. A wastewater treatment plant is more advanced. It uses mechanical parts and bacteria to actively treat the waste to a much higher standard. This means the treated water is clean enough to be discharged directly into a stream or river, subject to an environmental permit. We have years of experience installing both systems and can advise on the best solution for your property.

The rules can be complex, but we can guide you. The installation of a new septic tank or treatment plant usually falls under Building Regulations, and you will need to submit a Building Notice or a Full Plan Submission to your local council. Additionally, if you are creating a new discharge to a watercourse, you will need to comply with the General Binding Rules or apply for a permit from Natural Resources Wales. As your local drainage experts, we can advise on the requirements for your specific project, whether you're in the Vale of Glamorgan or the Brecon Beacons.

A soakaway is a clever, traditional solution for managing surface water from your roof or driveway. It's essentially a large, excavated pit, typically filled with rubble or modern plastic crates, which is then covered over. Rainwater is channelled into the soakaway, where it can collect and then slowly and safely ‘soak away’ into the surrounding ground. Before installing one, a professional percolation test is vital to check that the ground drains effectively. We take care of the entire process, from testing and design to excavation and installation.

Of course. The 'General Binding Rules' were updated in 2020. The most important change for homeowners is that you can no longer discharge wastewater from a septic tank directly into a river, stream, or ditch. If your system does this, you must upgrade it, either by replacing it with a modern wastewater treatment plant or by installing a proper drainage field (soakaway) for the wastewater to filter through. We specialise in offering compliant drainage solutions and can survey your current system to see if it meets the required standards.

The cost of a new sewer connection varies significantly from job to job. There is no one-size-fits-all price. The final cost depends on several factors: the distance from your property to the main sewer, the depth we need to excavate, the ground conditions (for example, digging through rock is harder than soil), and whether we need to work on a public road or pavement, which requires specific permits. The best way to get an accurate figure is to contact us. We can conduct a survey and provide a clear, detailed, no-obligation quote for the work.