Rick Stein’s pub takes an environmental approach to sewage

The pub, in St Merryn, wanted an environmentally friendly off-mains drainage system which would work in its rural setting.

Builders Amazon Construction brought the expertise of wastewater manufacturer Klargester to install an EnviroSafe treatment plant.

Traditional septic tanks still dominate the off-mains market, but Klargester argue the systems are only 50% effective.

This is because only about 50% of sewage pollutants are treated in the system with the rest then passed through a drainage field or soakaway’ to complete the process.

However, the EnviroSafe system works by providing an environment where bacteria are cultivated to breakdown sewage.

It works in three stages, firstly primary settlement, which simply involves the settlement of larger solids present in raw sewage and wastewater for gradual breakdown.

Secondly, biological treatment where the carbonaceous pollutants are removed by presenting the sewage to the micro-organisms in oxygen, the plant can also use a third anerobic zone.

And thirdly a natural by-product of biological treatment is humus sludge and this is separated for further treatment.

According to Klargester it’s highly efficient, treating more than 90% of the pollutants, and releasing a clear, odourless overflow that is environmentally friendly and suitable for discharging within the most sensitive sites like St Merryn.

“We needed to update our septic tank that was struggling to cope with the heavy demands of a popular pub and busy working kitchen,” says Rupert Wilson the pub’s general manager.

“We always seek the highest standards in our restaurants and pubs in terms of limiting our environmental impact.

“That’s why we needed a system that would meet our commercial requirements and be more suitable than the septic tank that had been in situ for over 20 years,” he says.

“It was important to pick a system that was efficient, low maintenance and had low running costs.

“It was also imperative not to impact on the tranquillity of St Merryn, which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or disturb our patrons’ enjoyment of this rural pub.

“The EnviroSafe is ideal because it’s buried underground so the only visible part is a manhole cover.”

Luke Walsh