Henley rowers overcome septic tank overflow

Rowers at the Henley Rowing Club can now flush the loo with confidence after the old septic tank was replaced with a new sewage treatment plant.


The growing number of new members and subsequent necessary building extensions meant that the existing septic tank and soakaway was no longer able to cope.

Overflows from the tank into the car park and entrance and blocked drains were becoming a regular problem and were causing an environmental hazard. It was also costly, with the Club was paying out £3,000 a year to clear the drains.

The Club has now replaced the old system with a Klargester Biodisc and pumping station to manage the removal and treatment of the raw sewage and the dispersal of treated effluent.

The effluent quality is now high enough that the Environment Agency has consented for it to be discharged directly into the River Thames.

Klargester’s Kevin Roe said: “This is a good example of where a building has been extended and enlarged and the existing off-mains solution has been unable to cope.

“Given the sensitivity of the site, upgrading to a sewage treatment plant was the sensible solution.
The Biodisc removes more than 97% of sewage pollutants, and the resulting clear, odourless overflow is very environmentally-friendly.

“The fact that the overflow can be discharged into watercourses with Environment Agency agreement has worked well in this sensitive, but challenging, location.”

Alison Brown

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