Sewage Treatment Plant vs Septic Tank: Choosing for Your Worthing Home
Most of Worthing is on mains drainage, but properties on the edge of the South Downs, around Findon and High Salvington, often are not. If you are replacing an old system, the big choice is septic tank or sewage treatment plant.
How each system works
A septic tank separates solids from liquid and lets natural bacteria partly break down waste. The liquid must then go to a drainage field to be cleaned by the soil.
A sewage treatment plant adds air to the waste so bacteria work much faster. The water that leaves it is far cleaner, which means it can often discharge to a ditch or stream where rules allow.
Quick comparison
The right choice depends on your site, but in general:
- Septic tanks have no moving parts and no electricity, but need a suitable drainage field
- Treatment plants need power and an annual service, but give cleaner discharge
- Treatment plants suit sites with poor ground drainage or a nearby watercourse
- Both need emptying regularly by a licensed waste carrier
Getting it right first time
We survey the site, test the ground and check the rules before recommending a system. That avoids the expensive mistake of installing something that cannot legally discharge where it is.
Frequently asked questions
Is a treatment plant always better?
Not always. Where ground drains well, a septic tank and drainage field can be simple and reliable.
How often should a treatment plant be serviced?
Most manufacturers recommend a service at least once a year.