Observations on Sustainable Foul Water Management in Southwest Holiday Parks
When planning for the expansion of holiday destinations, foul water management is often the most critical environmental consideration. Based on recent consultations and technical reviews, we’ve gathered several key observations on how modern infrastructure can actually outperform traditional public connections.
1. The “Capacity vs. Usage” Gap
One of the most significant observations in holiday park management is the disparity between design capacity and actual flow.
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The Design: Modern treatment plants are often engineered to handle “worst-case” scenarios—assuming every lodge is occupied by the maximum number of guests simultaneously.
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The Reality: Data shows that holiday homes are frequently occupied at much lower rates than planned for. In many Southwest parks, this results in significant “spare capacity.”
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Conclusion: This buffer allows for the addition of new units (in some cases over 100) without requiring a new plant, as the existing infrastructure is already operating well below its legal discharge limits.
2. Refining Occupancy Data for Better Accuracy
Relying on generic national tourism data can lead to over-engineering. Observations of ownership models in the region suggest a more nuanced approach:
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The Ownership Factor: In parks where a high percentage of lodges (often over 75%) are privately owned and not placed on a letting scheme, occupancy is naturally lower.
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The Data Shift: While national averages might suggest 61% occupancy, conservative regional models for second homes often sit closer to 46%.
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Strategic Benefit: Using these conservative figures provides a more “grounded” calculation for environmental impact assessments, ensuring infrastructure meets real-world needs rather than just theoretical peaks.
3. Private Treatment vs. Public Mains Connection
A common observation during the planning phase is that connecting to a public “combined” sewer isn’t always the most eco-friendly route.
| Factor | Onsite Treatment Plant | Public Mains Connection |
| Environmental Impact | Highly controlled; no “combined sewer” overflow risk. | Risk of spills during heavy rain via public CSOs. |
| Water Quality | Can achieve Phosphorus limits 80x lower than public STWs. | Bound by older, less stringent public discharge consents. |
| Infrastructure | Utilizes existing onsite gravity and collection points. | Often requires high-pressure pumping and massive highway disruption. |
In many cases in the Southwest, the geography—specifically steep elevations—makes pumping to the mains energy-intensive. A private plant avoids the need for high-pressure “shredder” pumps and miles of rising mains, keeping the carbon footprint and the risk of pipe failure significantly lower.
4. Environmental Stewardship
The move toward onsite treatment represents a shift in how holiday parks interact with the local ecosystem. By treating water to a higher standard than the local utility company might require, parks are effectively acting as a “filter” for the region, ensuring that only highly treated, clean effluent returns to the water table.