The world-famous Henley Rowing Club has upgraded its off-mains drainage system by installing a top-of-the-range Klargester Biodisc treatment plant to service the needs of the clubhouse – a solution which has worked “perfectly” according to the Club’s chairman.
The Biodisc replaced an ageing septic tank that had struggled to cope with the demands which the Club’s rising membership had placed upon it.
The Club, which was founded in 1859, moved to its current clubhouse on Wargrave Road in 1986. Since then, it has grown from 50 to 300 members and the clubhouse has been extended twice. This expansion had placed an intolerable strain on the existing septic tank and soakaway.
Nigel Read, chairman of Henley Rowing Club, says: “The septic tank just wasn’t viable as a solution any longer. The tank and the soakaway were so overloaded that they were overflowing in the car park and entrance to the clubhouse and blocking the drains on a regular basis. It was causing an environmental and health hazard as well as costing the Club more than £3,000 a year to empty and clear the drains.”
After assessing the club’s needs, installers W.J.Hatt Ltd recommended removing the septic tank and replacing it with a Klargester Biodisc and pumping stations to manage both the removal and treatment of the raw sewage, as well as the dispersal of the treated effluent.
Mark Hatt, managing director of W.J.Hatt, says: “Choosing the right solution required very careful consideration; we had to look at both the loading levels and the sensitivities surrounding the location. The clubhouse is obviously sited right next to the river, so any tank and a soakaway would be sited within the water table.”
It took just three weeks to install both the Biodisc and pumping stations, but it has met all the demands placed upon it. Furthermore, the effluent quality is high enough for the Environment Agency to have consented for it to be discharged directly into the River Thames.
Nigel Read says: “The new system has been installed for five months now and is operating perfectly.”
Kevin Roe, Klargester Sales Director, says: “This is a good example of where a building has been extended and enlarged and the existing off-mains solution has been unable to cope. Given the sensitivity of the site, upgrading to a sewage treatment plant was the sensible solution.
“The Biodisc removes more than 97% of sewage pollutants, and the resulting clear, odourless overflow is very environmentally-friendly. The fact that the overflow can be discharged into watercourses with Environment Agency agreement has worked well in this sensitive, but challenging, location.”
The main contractor was Redwing Construction (Marlow) Limited.
Klargester’s expert team can help with questions: email info@klargester.com, call 0845 8732333, or visit Ask Klargester at www.ask.klargester.com
