New sludge treatment centre in Botley to address capacity issues in Hampshire

A new £1.2 million sludge treatment facility has opened in Botley, designed to support wastewater management for more than 8,000 off-mains households in Hampshire each year.

The state-of-the-art plant, commissioned and managed by leading waste management specialist CSG, will not only help manage wastewater but also produce high-quality soil fertiliser as a by-product, contributing to local food production.

The centre will handle domestic wastewater from households, hotels, and holiday parks across Hampshire and surrounding areas, all of which rely on septic tanks or cesspits instead of mains drainage.

Recent challenges faced by septic tank owners in other parts of the UK highlight the growing issue. With water companies unable to handle increasing wastewater volumes due to capacity constraints, some households have been left unable to use their toilets or wash facilities, fearing overflows. This has even led to waste haulage companies travelling long distances to find alternative disposal sites.

CSG's Operations Director, Steve Hicks, explained that the new Botley facility is key to preventing similar problems in Hampshire moving forward. “We’re thrilled that the Botley plant is now fully operational following an investment of over £1 million,” he said. “With over 30,000 off-mains drainage households under our management across the UK, we understand the ongoing septic tank crisis. In Cornwall, for instance, we’ve seen commercial contractors banned from using treatment works during wet weather, forcing residents to leave their homes. This new plant in Botley will alleviate such pressures and provide long-term solutions.”

The Botley treatment centre employs cutting-edge centrifuge technology to separate wastewater from solids, creating a sanitised ‘cake’ that can be used as an agricultural soil conditioner and fertiliser. This ‘cake’ is of exceptionally high quality, as it is free from industrial waste, and meets BAS standards. It will be used on Red Tractor farms to help grow food that eventually reaches supermarkets.

Steve added, “This sustainable fertiliser is not only a valuable resource for local agriculture, but it also helps reduce reliance on imported fertilisers, supporting soil health and food production in the region.”

Fully licensed and regulated by the Environment Agency, the Botley facility meets the latest operational and environmental standards.

In England and Wales, it’s estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 homes rely on septic tanks for sewage disposal, while the rest are connected to mains drainage systems.

CSG, a national leader in the industry, is headquartered in Fareham and employs 650 people. The company operates a fleet of 200 vehicles and specialises in wastewater haulage, processing, and industrial cleaning, alongside chemical waste processing and wastewater engineering.