Expert Sewage Treatment Plant Installers in Chichester, PO18-PO20 & West Sussex
Installation, Servicing, Maintenance & Upgrades
We offer a 2 Year Groundworks Warranty for installations for peace of mind.
In the 2020 & 2023 General Binding Rules, new regulations were introduced in England for off-mains drainage. All of our engineers have been trained on the new compliance rules.
Whether you are dealing with coastal plain groundwater in West Sussex or navigating strict Chichester District Council regulations on nitrate neutrality around Chichester Harbour AONB, we can provide expert local advice. We specialise in upgrading failing legacy septic tanks to high-efficiency sewage treatment plants to ensure full environmental compliance across Chichester, Bosham, Fishbourne, and surrounding PO postcodes.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A sewage treatment plant actively treats and cleans your household waste before it deposits it back into a natural watercourse or drainage field.
While a traditional septic tank only performs basic separation (around 45% treatment) and must rely on a functioning underground soakaway, a modern sewage treatment plant uses mechanical aeration to biologically break down the waste. This internal treatment process purifies the effluent up to 95%+, producing a clear liquid that—subject to Environment Agency rules—can legally be discharged directly into a ditch, stream, or river without causing nutrient pollution.
If your current older septic tank discharges directly into surface water, it is now illegal under UK law. Smartseptic can carry out a compliance survey to determine the right sewage treatment plant for your property size, soil type, and local watercourse regulations. As well as initial surveys, we specialise in the complete installation, groundworks, and ongoing maintenance of all major treatment plant brands.
Our Core Sewage Treatment Plant Services in Chichester
We cover every stage of your wastewater system's lifecycle with an in-house team of fully trained, insured engineers:
Septic Tank to Treatment Plant Upgrades: If your older brick or concrete septic tank currently discharges into a ditch or surface water around Chichester Harbour or the South Downs, it operates illegally. We specialise in upgrading legacy systems to compliant, aerated sewage treatment plants, handling everything from excavation to final sign-off.
New Build & Property Extension Installations: Expanding your home in the PO18-PO20 area or building a new rural property in West Sussex? We design and install appropriately sized sewage treatment plants that meet all Building Control requirements and handle increased household capacities.
Pre-Purchase Compliance Surveys: Buying or selling a rural property in West Sussex? A non-compliant drainage system can derail a transaction or cost thousands to fix. We provide comprehensive CCTV surveys and compliance reports for conveyancing solicitors to ensure the system meets current General Binding Rules.
Treatment Plant Servicing & Maintenance: Modern treatment plants require annual mechanical and electrical maintenance. We service all major manufacturers, testing effluent quality, replacing worn parts, and servicing air blowers to keep your system running efficiently and odour-free.
If you’d like to read about the full installation process, please click here.
Your Comprehensive Handover Pack
For all new installations and upgrades, we provide a comprehensive handover pack for your peace of mind, which includes:
A compliance Certificate confirming adherence to .GOV General Binding Rules
Building Control certificate
Part P electrical certificate (where required)
Manufacturer’s warranty (typically 25 years)
Our 2‑year groundworks warranty, covering any issues arising from our work
A service contract with a 15% discount on your system’s first service
Contact us now for a FREE no obligation quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Chichester Harbour is a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) subject to strict nitrate neutrality rules to prevent excessive nutrients from damaging fragile marine ecosystems. Discharging untreated or poorly treated septic waste into local ditches or streams feeding the harbour is illegal. Modern aerated sewage treatment plants purify wastewater to high standards, producing clear effluent that complies with Environment Agency and Chichester District Council environmental thresholds.
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Replacing an existing non-compliant septic tank with a treatment plant in the exact same location generally falls under Permitted Development and does not require formal planning permission, provided Building Control signs off on the installation. However, if your property sits within a conservation area, near listed buildings, or requires establishing a brand-new discharge point outside your boundary, formal planning permission may be required. We verify all local planning and Building Control rules during our initial site survey.
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Yes. Unlike a basic septic tank which relies entirely on gravity and settling, a modern sewage treatment plant requires a small, continuous electrical supply (running a 50W–100W air blower). This blower oxygenates the internal treatment chambers to keep the waste-digesting bacteria active. Our qualified engineers handle all armoured underground cabling, control kiosk setup, and Part P electrical certification during installation.
Need Local Off-Mains Drainage Advice?
When your property isn't connected to mains drainage, you need a local drainage partner who can deliver complex engineering projects legally and safely. Smartseptic operates across West Sussex, deploying engineers to Chichester and surrounding rural communities to install fully compliant systems. Don't wait for a system backup or a failed property survey to halt your house sale. Speak directly to your local drainage engineers.
Call our team today on 01202 280423 or 0333 202 7129 for a free, no-obligation site survey and quote.
