Posted by Callum Vallance-Poole, on September 20, 2024.
In the rural village of Horsmonden, near Tunbridge Wells, a row of four terraced 1940s cottages lacked access to mains drainage. These homes relied on an old brick septic tank for their wastewater needs, which was frequently overloaded, causing odour and high maintenance issues. The system, which used a gravel-filled soakaway to manage overflow, required emptying every six to seven weeks. Seeking a more efficient and odour-free solution, homeowner Bob Sherwood approached GRAF UK.
GRAF UK conducted percolation tests on the land behind the cottages to assess soil quality and determine the appropriate size for a new soakaway. They then designed and installed an advanced wastewater system consisting of two 4,800L Klaro E Professional wastewater treatment tanks, capable of servicing up to 22 residents, and a soakaway with nine underground infiltration tunnels. These tunnels were placed in a concealed gravel bed 1.8 metres below ground level. The treated water from the Klaro E tanks flows into the tunnels, which release the clean water gradually back into the ground through their perforated walls.
Typically, infiltration tunnels are not used in residential projects due to the need to spread pollutants over a larger area of land. However, the Klaro E system’s high water purity levels allowed GRAF UK to obtain official approval from the Environment Agency to install the tunnels. This solution eliminated flood risks and minimised unpleasant odours. Additionally, the Klaro E tanks only need to be emptied of residual sludge every 12-18 months, significantly reducing maintenance costs and effort.
The new Klaro wastewater treatment system provided a significant improvement for the Horsmonden cottages. It effectively eliminated odours and reduced maintenance frequency and costs. The clean water release process ensured compliance with environmental standards and offered a sustainable solution for the properties.
Bob Sherwood, a homeowner, shared his positive experience: “Although this may sound dramatic, my neighbours and I feel the new Klaro wastewater treatment system has really changed our lives for the better! Not only have the nasty smells gone, but we’re now saving a lot of money on upkeep, given that the new tanks only need to be cleaned out around once a year, and GRAF UK even takes care of this process for us. In fact, we’ve been really pleased with the service that the GRAF team has provided throughout, from initial consultation and system design through to the installation itself and ongoing maintenance.”