The 5th April was the first day of a hosepipe ban, under the Water Industry Act 1991, following the declaration of drought across parts of central and eastern England. The long-predicted changes brought about by global warming, changes to weather patterns, rising population densities, and greater abstraction levels from rivers have all contributed to severe water shortages – and given the severity of the situation, no one can predict how long the ban will be in place.

In response, Kingspan Water, the UK’s leading manufacturer of rainwater harvesting products, has introduced some new and innovative water butts, particularly suited to those with larger gardens and ponds.
Rainstore is a range of water butts featuring built-in pumps and hosepipe connections.

The Rainstore range includes 700 litre tanks – the equivalent of 70 watering cans full – and 1000 litre tanks, and are ideally suited for bigger garden plots, removing the need for multiple smaller water butts. What’s more the handy pump and hosepipe connector means no more traipsing up and down the garden, carrying a heavy watering can – saving time (if not the chiropractor’s bill!).

Contact Information:
Kingspan Environmental Ltd
Tel: +44(0) 28 3836 4400
e-mail: enquiry@kingspanenv.com

Fuel and oil prices are steadily rising, which is pushing an increasing number of people into fuel poverty and making home heating oil and diesel fuel into “liquid gold” and a prime target for thieves. So what can be done to safeguard your home or business?

Last week, BBC One’s The One Show was the first to bring this issue into mainstream national media. Farmers and homeowners have two concerns; how they safeguard their fuel supply and how they cope with rising fuel prices. They discussed various preventative measures for combating oil theft including; locking vehicles in a secure building overnight, installing security cameras on the premises, deterring thieves using a guard dog and even the “smart option” of a “Sonic Sensor” or Sonic Signalman as it is correctly known, an electronic fuel monitor.

Earlier this week, there was a feature on oil theft on BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s breakfast show, which included an interview with local businessman and security expert Roman Cooper from Allcooper. Again, the discussion highlighted, among other things, the value of using electronic wireless system for remotely monitoring fuel levels.

First alert for oil theft

In both programmes, it was clear that those interviewed had no knowledge of the theft of their oil until long after the event. Initially, their concerns had been raised when the radiators did not work – which led to the immediate and reasonable assumption that the boiler was broken and a plumber was called out. Of course, the boiler was fine but the oil tank was empty. The message here is check your oil and fuel levels regularly

The cost of oil/fuel theft

The cost can be high. Not only will the tank probably have to be replaced, as well as the oil, but there is also the cost of cleaning up. Sadly, oil theft may not be covered by home insurance There is also an environmental cost, which can be high as oil leaks not only pollute the ground, they can also leach into groundwater.

How Oil Tank Alarms Work

There are various oil tank gauges or oil tank alarms currently available. The latest technology or Sonic Signalman as we refer to it, can monitor the levels of either diesel in a fuel storage and dispensing tank, or kerosene in a bunded heating oil tank. It has GSM capability that can send text alerts to the owner if there is a drop in fuel or oil levels. This notifies of a potential fuel theft in real time. In other words, it provides a means for the owner to monitor, constantly, their oil tank supplies. The wireless electronic monitor is suitable for any existing or new oil tank installation, whether it’s a bunded heating oil tank or a single skin oil tank.

You may want to know if your oil tank is suitable for this technology. The simple answer is yes, any plastic or steel oil tank can be suitable, depending on the condition of the oil tank- in other words as long as there are no leaks or the tank is showing signs of wear or tear due to age.

Servicing and Maintaining Your Oil Tank

Clearly, with oil being such a precious commodity (and of course any losses can be devastating) it is more important than ever that your oil tank is in good condition and your oil boiler is working efficiently. With regular maintenance both will run more efficiently and cheaply. What’s more regular maintenance will prolong the life of the overall heating system. Through our Titan Accredited Installer Network we are offering a FREE, NO OBLIGATION survey of where your oil tank is situated and advise, if necessary, on oil tank replacements to help secure your oil supply.

To find out more about the free survey and the latest innovation in oil tank security, including oil alarm functionality and SMS text alerts, please contact Kingspan Environmental and talk to a member of our team email: enquiry@kingspanenv.com or call +44(0) 28 3836 4400

This formula represents a highly effective level of sewage treatment, good enough to discharge into rivers and streams (with the appropriate consent) – little wonder the BioDisc is recognised by planning departments and environmental authorities as the preferred solution for domestic homes looking for an off-mains solution.

The Bond covers servicing and maintenance as required.

It is the longest warranty offered by any UK off-mains manufacturer and is designed to give peace of mind to Klargester BioDisc owners.

The hugely popular Klargester Biotec is also being covered, by a  FIVE YEAR BOND.

Both Bonds include a free initial inspection by a Klargester expert to evaluate the quality of the installation – existing BioDisc and Biotecs may also qualify.

The move underlines the confidence Klargester has in their top-ranking, off-mains products.

For further information, please contact Kingspan Environmental Technical Sales on 01296 633000 or visit:  http://www.klargester.com/service/index.htm

The beautiful "Hill Crest" owned by Terry Huggett, features the Klargester HillMaster and Raintrap

Terry Huggett Developments, a building contractor located near Doncaster, specialises in beautiful, contemporary, bespoke homes.  

Judith and Chris Brook’s Barn near Rotherham is just one of his many developments that combines beauty, high specification, and sustainability.

For clients, and for own stunning, LABC double award-winning house, Hill Crest, which he built in 2008, Terry is a huge advocate of Klargester products.

A Klargester HillMaster connects his house to mains sewerage, while a Klargester Raintrap collects water from the 2,500 sq ft roof, filters it, and stores it underground in a 4,500 litre tank.   The collected water is used to wash his two cars and three vans once a week, as well as watering his garden.

“The Raintrap was easy to install, and in three years it’s never once been empty despite the demands placed on it.  What’s more, it’s saved reduced my water bills by a considerable margin,” says Terry, whose passion for sustainability was fired by time in California.  

He is discerning, however, in his choice of green products.  “Having experienced the Klargester Raintrap and off-mains products myself, I can recommend them to clients with confidence.   In terms of my criteria for choosing which products are worth recommending, I tend to select those that will be viable for the life of the building, with minimum maintenance. 

“Klargester products fit the bill, perfectly.”

Hill Crest was a finalist at the LABC Building Excellence awards.

Klargester’s expert team can help with questions: email info@klargester.com, call 0845 8732333, or visit Ask Klargester at  www.ask.klargester.com.

For more information about Terry Huggett Developments, go to http://www.terryhuggettdevelopments.co.uk.

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Judith and Chris Brook's Barn features the Klargester BioDisc and Raintrap

Judith and Chris Brook’s Barn, near Rotherham, is a beautiful, award-winning, 19th century barn conversion set within a working farm.

Its bright, airy, and contemporary interior, designed by David Bamford Architects, belies its origins as a humble – if spacious – farm building, housing cows and hens. 

The £300,000 project to turn this huge space into high-quality, environmentally-friendly, living accommodation, was managed by local main contractor and design consultant, Terry Huggett Developments. 

The beautiful kitchen in the barn

In a little over a year, the interior has been transformed into a very modern space while retaining much of the character and fabric of the original building. 

Sustainability has been built into its very fabric;  as a starting point, it is extensively insulated to reduce heat loss and energy demand.  Furthermore, the barn, in common with the next-door farmhouse, was not connected to mains drainage and therefore had to rely on private, off-mains, drainage solutions.   Until the barn was converted, the farmhouse had been serviced by a septic tank.  However, Judith and Chris chose to upgrade this arrangement and install the environmentally-friendly Klargester BioDisc sewage treatment plant to service both buildings.   The BioDisc is far more efficient than a septic tank in managing off mains waste – it actually treats the sewage very effectively in-situ (up to 95% compliance), unlike septic tanks.  Once treated, the effluent is passed through a soakaway to complete the treatment process, which is thorough enough to ensure there is no threat of pollution to the local environment.

A Raintrap rainwater harvesting system was also installed to reduce the family’s reliance on mains water.   The Raintrap captures rainwater falling on the barn’s 3,000 sq foot roof via the guttering and down pipe.  The water is filtered and collected in a 4,500 litre underground tank where it is pumped to a hosepipe for washing the family’s cars, the farmer’s tractor, and also watering the garden.

Terry Huggett advises:  “I use a Klargester BioDisc and Raintrap in my own home which is why I was able to recommend them both.  The installation is easy and the technical back-up from Klargester is tremendous.   I’ve had not a minute’s worth of bother.”

Judith Brook says: “I can water my plants and wash the car without worrying about how much water I’m using.  I remember Dad originally asking why we needed the system, but he now uses it to water the trees.”

The Brooks’ Barn has been awarded the prestigious LABC Building Excellence awards for its build quality and the sustainability quotient.

Klargester’s expert team can help with questions: email info@klargester.com, call 0845 8732333, or visit Ask Klargester at  www.ask.klargester.com.

For more information about Terry Huggett Developments, go to http://www.terryhuggettdevelopments.co.uk.

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Correct installation and care is a pre-requisite for the long-lasting operation of any wastewater treatment product, such as a septic tank or sewage treatment plant.

Now, anyone looking for off-mains expertise will find it online within a couple of mouse clicks.

Klargester, the UK’s leading brand of off-mains drainage solutions, has added a new ‘Locate a Specialist’ section to its website.

The section contains details of wastewater professionals across England, Scotland and Wales who can help at any stage of an installation – from the early steps of system design, and the selection and installation of the correct equipment, to connecting to local drainage and electrical networks.

Paul Usher, Klargester’s Installation Network Manager, says: “These are specialists who can help in terms of their high technical expertise and offer advice based on their local knowledge.  So, they will be able to give guidance in areas such as ground conditions and water table levels, right through to gaining consent to discharge.”

The ‘Locate a Specialist’ pages have been designed to deliver rich content direct to a customer’s browser.  A postcode search function allows enquirers to bring up all the installers within a particular catchment, showing the installers’ specific locations on Google Maps and Street View, as well as their distance from the enquirer.

Another click brings to view a profile of the installer and their core services, as well as any additional capabilities, examples of their work, accreditations, and links to their website where applicable.  There is an online enquiry form and a request for a call back.  The Installers section also includes best practice advice around appointing an installer and links to helpful resources such as building regulations and obtaining planning permission.

Paul continues: “We wanted to showcase the considerable expertise of our Accredited Installers within our website and help drive business their way.

“This new area has been designed to be clear and simple to use, allowing customers to easily find their nearest off-mains drainage specialist and learn more about the professional skills locally available. We hope that it will mean more people can appreciate the many benefits of using an Accredited Installer for off-mains installations.”

Klargester’s expert team can help with questions:   email info@klargester.com, call 0845 8732333, or visit www.klargester.com.

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It was purchased two years ago as a popular site for touring caravans, and the new owners were keen to look at upgrading and expanding the accommodation to incorporate luxury lodges.  The challenge was how to manage this transition sensitively to improve on the existing facilities and the customer experience, while maintaining a focus on the environmental impact of any upgrade.

One of the first and most pressing jobs was to review the historic and inadequate drainage system.  This consisted of a central toilet block discharging into a septic tank; the poorly filtered effluent from the septic then was passed straight into the nearby Isla.

The site’s owner, Gordon McCormick, consulted with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) who confirmed that the existing septic discharge was unacceptable.  Gordon then called in Klargester Technical Sales Manager, Chris Brand for advice. 

Chris says: “The first step was to agree an effluent quality with SEPA, which was set at 95% compliance – very high in other words, but which wais to be expected given the park’s situation. This directed us towards a top-of-the-range sewage treatment solution in the Klargester Envirosafe 80MEQ. 

“We worked with the sites owners to design a bespoke treatment plant that was not only sensitive to the surroundings but which also provided for future trading patterns, park expansion, and for the predicted seasonal loading.”

The solution to the seasonal loading was to install not one compressor – as is typical – but two small compressors to aerate the system and ensure correct functioning of the Envirosafe.

Chris explains: “Two compressors means that during the quieter winter months, one could be switched off, reducing carbon footprint of the site and its operational costs while maintaining the viability of the Envirosafe.  During the summer, both will be working but should there be a compressor malfunction, the system will still be operational, albeit at a lower level, until the problem is fixed.  This minimizes any concerns about the environmental impact on the Isla.  The Envirosafe also has a low profile, as it is installed underground, reducing its visual impact.”

Certified Klargester Installers, Robert Smith Drainage, who managed the installation, were chosen for their extensive experience of working with large tanks and their understanding of the local ground conditions.

Gordon McCormick says: “The system has been up and running very successfully for a while. I’m very pleased.

“I’ve since contracted Klargester to create a solution for another caravan park with 300 static caravans.  This time Chris recommended replacing an aging treatment plant with a Pumpstor 24-7 pumping station to pump the sewage 1.4km to the mains sewer.  The Pumpstor also has a level of emergency storage built-in, giving us peace of mind in the event of power or mechanical failure.” 

Klargester’s expert team can help with questions: email info@klargester.com, call 0845 8732333, or visit Ask Klargester at  www.ask.klargester.com

Henley Rowing Club

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.
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Representatives and senior executives from businesses and organisations across the UK heard presentations from, among others Noel Crowe, managing director, Kingspan Group’s Environmental & Renewables division, and David Anderson, director, Kingspan Environmental, who is heading up the new Service Network.  The audience also heard from Robin Weiss, managing director, Alro Services who spoke about “specialist, expert service available locally” on behalf of the main installer partners – all of whom were represented at the event.

All the speakers emphasised the value, high-quality of service, and convenience on offer for customers contracted to the new Network.

The National Service Network offers the complete package of maintenance, servicing, installation, design and consultancy for businesses with premises depentent on off-mains drainage arrangements, such as septic tanks and sewage treatment plants.

For further information, email info@kingspanenvservice.com, call 0844 6565 658 or visit our website www.kingspanenvservice.com.

National Service Network Partners receiving their certificates from Noel Crowe, managing director, Kingspan Group's Environmental & Renewables division