Posted by Callum Vallance-Poole, on September 20, 2024.
Thistle Dhu Bed & Breakfast, nestled in the heart of Glenlivet within the renowned Speyside Malt Whisky Region of Scotland and adjacent to the Cairngorms National Park, faced significant issues with its existing septic tank and soakaway system. The system failure led to raw sewage seeping out and contaminating the nearby watercourse. Andy Wallace, the owner, sought a solution from Water and Wastewater Specialist Syd Ross at Filpumps Ltd. Syd recommended a new wastewater treatment system from GRAF UK to meet SEPA’s stringent effluent quality standards.
GRAF UK designed a 9PE Advanced One2Clean treatment plant with a chlorination dosing station, utilising a GRAF Saphir tank. This system is specifically designed to eliminate pathogens in the effluent, ensuring it is safe for discharge into the environment. The treated effluent is partially absorbed by a soakaway, with any excess flowing into a nearby stream. Contractors McKerron and Milne of Rothes were engaged to install the treatment plant and dosing unit.
The installation included a 6,500L Carat tank and a 900L Saphir tank. The Carat tank uses Sequence Batch Reactor (SBR) technology to treat the incoming waste from the B&B. The SBR system is advantageous as it contains no moving or electrical parts within the tanks, making it more reliable and easier to maintain. Air diffusers at the bottom of the SBR tanks introduce oxygen, which supports the microorganisms that biologically break down the solids. This process allows sludge to settle at the bottom, creating a treated water zone at the top. Regular maintenance and scheduled pumping are required to keep the system functioning optimally.
The GRAF UK system provided an efficient and effective solution to Thistle Dhu’s wastewater problem. The treated effluent met SEPA’s standards, protecting the local environment. Andy Wallace noted the smooth installation process and the ongoing support from both GRAF UK and KLARO in Germany. The project was completed successfully, ensuring the guest house could continue to operate without environmental hazards.
“GRAF UK were extremely helpful from start to finish with this unique project. I was able to get answers from GRAF UK in Banbury and KLARO in Germany, even if that did mean travelling 10 miles to find phone signal in Dufftown!”
— Syd Ross, Water and Wastewater Specialist, Filpumps