Sump and septic tanks
In this area the sump and septic tanks are located, very much hidden by secondary food growing beds, flower beds, willow fedges & ‘the’ mulberry bush (planted at the project launch by the then construction minister).
Surface water collected from the road and surrounding fields makes its way into and passes along unlined culverts (swales) down the side of the road and to the rear of the homes to the sump. Water is pumped to the reservoir (5) from this 5m3 underground tank.
Wastewater from the houses first enters the septic tank for 5-10 days settlement of solid matter before the resultant liquid effluent enters a floating reed bed system (18).