Marsh Portapura Sewage Treatment Plant
What is the Marsh Portapura?
The Portapura is a portable, compact sewage treatment plant specifically designed for small-scale applications such as holiday homes, caravans, glamping pods, site offices, and temporary accommodation.
Available in three population sizes (2, 3, or 5 people equivalent), and can be configured with either gravity or pumped outlets.
Why choose Portapura?
Superior effluent quality: Typically delivers output of 14 mg/l BOD, 19 mg/l suspended solids, and 0.7 mg/l ammonia, significantly surpassing EN discharge standards by ~25×
Low running costs: Power usage is just 1.8 kWh per day—comparable to a lightbulb
Quiet operation: Includes Marsh’s Whisspurr™ acoustic vibration reduction (AVR) unit to minimize noise and vibration.
Quick installation: Can be installed above or below ground—below-ground installation available in around 2 hours, with minimal visual impact and easy maintenance access.
Certified and durable: Fully CE‑approved to BS EN 12566, fire-resistance tested per EN ISO 11925‑2, and structurally tested to EN ISO 179‑1/1eA, with optional risers for deeper installations.
How it works (Operating Principle)
Primary settlement chamber: solids settle and flotation occurs; sludge collects at the bottom for periodic desludging.
Aeration chamber: dissolved constituents are biologically treated using aerobic bacteria and diffused air.
Filter chamber: further solids removal via tertiary filtration.
Final settlement & discharge: treated effluent is discharged to watercourse via a settlement chamber.
📏 Size & Specification (approximate dimensions)
| Model | Capacity | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Inlet invert (mm) | Outlet invert (mm) | Pipe dia (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2 (2‑person) | Up to 2 PE | 2750 ±50 | 980 ±50 | 415 ±50 | 445 | 270 | 110 |
| M3 (3‑person) | Up to 3 PE | 2050 ±50 | 1500 ±50 | 600 ±50 | ~450 | ~245 | 110 |
| M5 (5‑person) | Up to 5 PE | 2640 ±50 | 1500 ±50 | 800 ±50 | ~885 | ~645 | 110 |
Use Cases 👷
Ideal for:
- Seasonal or temporary holiday/leisure accommodation.
- Off-grid or remote site offices and workshops.
- Situations requiring portable, above-ground installation with minimal infrastructure.
Maintenance & Servicing
Electrical consumption ~1.8 kWh/day.
Quiet air compressor unit (remote housing).
Regular desludging required (typically every 3–6 months)
Built for easy access and straightforward cleaning when in use or during off‑season storage.
🌱 Environmental Compliance
Meets CE approval under BS EN 12566 standards with excellent discharge quality.
Well suited to areas requiring tight ammonia or BOD discharge consents.
Robust testing ensures fire-resistance and structural integrity for diverse site conditions
✅ Summary
The Marsh Portapura is a robust, highly efficient, and portable sewage treatment system perfect for small-scale, temporary or leisure-based sites. With compact dimensions, low power use, quiet operation, and excellent effluent quality, it provides a versatile off‑mains drainage solution.
🔢 Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Size
| Example Usage | PE Estimate |
|---|---|
| 1–2 people using full-time | 2 PE |
| 2 adults + 1 child (frequent use) | 3 PE |
| 2 adults + 2 children (frequent use) | 4 PE |
| Small family or group up to 5 | 5 PE |
Type of Usage Matters
| Use Case | Suggested Size |
|---|---|
| Solo glamping pod | 2 PE (M2) |
| 2-person holiday cabin | 2–3 PE (M2 or M3) |
| Seasonal couple + occasional guest | 3 PE (M3) |
| Family of 4-5 or small group lodge | 5 PE (M5) |
| Temporary worksite crew | M3 or M5 (based on shifts) |