New Catalyst service guide – sharing the facts about off-mains drainage

septic tank - Off-Mains Drainage Guide Part 1

Catalyst Services UK has a launched its latest service guide, providing accurate and authoritative information about off-mains drainage systems.

The service guide is designed to provide insurance claims professionals, insurance policyholders, property managers and property owners with the latest information about off-mains drainage.

Given the extensive nature of the topic, the guide, available in Catalyst’s newly-updated online resource hub, is split into two parts. Part 1 is available on the company’s resources hub. Part 2 will be published later.

Thousands of homes, businesses and public buildings across the UK – most in rural areas – rely on using off-mains drainage systems to store, treat and dispose of wastewater.

They are installed where it is not practical to connect a property to the mains wastewater and sewage treatment system served by a network of sewers.

In most cases, properties have individual wastewater storage and treatment systems, with sludge waste collected at regular intervals for disposal at authorised waste sites.

Valuable fact-checking or training aid

There are different kinds of off-mains drainage systems while regulatory systems vary across the UK, so it is important property owners understand their responsibilities for maintaining them.

The Catalyst Off-Mains Drainage Guide (Part 1) provides key information about off-mains drainage systems, in an easy-to-follow Q&A structure.

It is available via the company’s online resources hub, which is now easier to access and use to obtain information and insights about belowground services, and how to maintain them.

Catalyst Managing Director Brad Jackson says: “The Catalyst Off-Mains Drainage Guide is designed to be a fact-checking aid for insurance claims professionals or property owners and managers.

“It can also underpin more structured training an insurance claims specialist or firm of loss adjusters may want to carry out so their teams have accurate knowledge about what is a complex topic.

“We make our service guides free to access because we always aim to share clear and accurate information needed by the insurance industry to make the best possible decisions on behalf of their policyholders.”

View the Catalyst Off-Mains Drainage Guide Part 1

The first of a two-part guide, it provides an instruction to off-mains drainage, the different types of systems, how they need to be maintained and common faults that can develop.

Questions answered include:

What are cesspits?
What are septic tanks?
What are sewage treatment plants?
How do I choose the best off-mains drainage system for my property?
What is the best position for an off-mains drainage tank?
Do I need planning permission to install a septic tank?
Should I worry if my septic tank smells?
What are the main ways septic tanks develop faults?

Part 2 of the guide will provide advice and insights on wider issues, including: general binding rules that regulate off-mains drainage systems, options for upgrading tanks, and insurance cover for off-mains drainage.

Accurate information vital for trouble-free service

Brad Jackson says: “Our off-mains drainage guide is based on years of experience the Catalyst team has in investigating, repairing and replacing systems on behalf of insurers and their customers.

“Our deep knowledge about what commonly goes wrong and how to avoid problems occurring, which is good for the insurer and the homeowner, is built into every question and answer.

“Off-mains drainage systems can give many years of trouble-free service. But understanding technical issues, alongside regulatory responsibilities, is vital to ensure that happens.”

The Off-Mains Drainage Guide Part 1 is the latest guide to be published in the Catalyst resources hub, which provides a wide range of information about belowground services.

Other guides available are: