Tricel Novo UK Sewage Treatment Plant - Costs

Introduction

In rural or off-grid settings where mains drainage isn’t available, a packaged sewage treatment plant (STP) is often the go-to solution. Among the many options on the UK market, the Tricel Novo UK range stands out for its balance of performance, reliability, ease of installation, and low maintenance. In this blog post, we explore how the Novo works, its benefits, considerations for installation, cost, operation, and key tips for getting the most from the system.

What is the Tricel Novo UK?

The Tricel Novo is a fixed-bed submerged aeration sewage treatment system designed for domestic and light commercial use in the UK. It is certified to EN 12566-3, meeting European standards for strength, water tightness, durability, and treatment efficiency.

The Novo range accommodates a wide span of capacities, typically from 1 up to 50 Population Equivalents (PE), which makes it suitable for single houses, clusters of homes, or small communal developments.

One of its distinguishing features is the tank material: it uses sheet moulding compound (SMC), a robust composite material (a high-grade glass-reinforced polymer) chosen for its strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion.

How the Novo UK Works: The Treatment Process

The Tricel Novo follows a three-stage treatment process, each zone serving a distinct function:

Stage	Name	Purpose	Mechanism
1	Primary Settlement Chamber	Separation of solids and scum	The raw sewage enters, anaerobic breakdown begins, heavy solids sink to the bottom, lighter scum floats to the top.
2	Aeration (Biofilter) Chamber	Biological treatment of organics	The partially clarified liquid flows through filter media where aerobic bacteria degrade the waste. Air is supplied by a blower and a diffuser system.
3	Final Settlement Chamber	Removal of suspended solids / sludge return	The treated liquid enters a settling zone where any suspended biomass can settle. Sludge is recirculated back to the primary chamber via an airlift system.

Once the treated liquid reaches the required quality, it is discharged to a suitable outlet (e.g. soakaway, watercourse) as permitted by local environmental regulations.

Because the Novo design has no moving parts or pumps inside the tank itself (except for the blower), it reduces mechanical failure points and simplifies maintenance.

Key Features & Advantages

Here are some of the main selling points of the Novo UK:

Strong, durable tank: The compression-moulded SMC tank is more robust than many conventional GRP or polyethylene tanks.
Shallow invert / shallow dig: The Novo is designed to allow a “shallow invert” (i.e. lower excavation depth) which helps reduce installation cost and complexity.
Ceramic diffuser: The diffuser used is made of ceramic and is claimed to have about double the lifespan of standard rubber diffusers — reducing parts replacement and service costs.
No concrete backfill needed (in many cases): On many sites, the Novo can be installed without concrete backfill, saving on materials and labor.
Warranty & certification: The structure is typically backed by a 20-year warranty for the tank, while mechanical parts often have a shorter warranty (e.g. 3 years).
Low operating & maintenance costs: Because of the simple design, minimal moving parts, and energy-efficient blower, running costs are relatively modest.
Scalability & flexibility: Multiple sizes, gravity or pumped outlets, and riser kits (250 mm, 500 mm, 750 mm) allow adaptation to different site constraints.

Sizing, Models & Examples

Some typical model options and specs:

Novo UK6 – suitable for 1–6 PE; nominal capacity ~3,080 L; air blower ~64 W.
Novo UK8 – suitable for ~2–8 PE; marketed often for 6-bedroom houses.
Novo UK30 – up to 30 people, for larger domestic or small community use.
Novo UK42 – for up to 42 people; often offered with gravity or pumped outlet versions.

As an example, the UK42 model is priced (as of a recent listing) at around £8,721.68 (excluding VAT) for gravity version.

In practice, many domestic applications fall into the UK6 or UK8 bracket, but careful design is needed to allow for load fluctuations (e.g. occasional guests, periods of underuse) and regulatory margins.

Cost Breakdown & Running Costs

Installation & acquisition costs

The plant unit itself can range from £2,000 to £4,000 (depending on size and features).
Installation (excavation, pipework, commissioning) often adds £5,500 to £7,000 or more, depending on site complexity.
Overall, many domestic STP projects using the Novo fall between £7,500 and £11,000 all-in.

Operating costs

Electricity: The cost is driven mainly by the blower, which might consume tens to a few hundred watts depending on model. A UK blog for Drainstore estimates blowing energy costs — this varies with tariff, usage, and load.
Desludging / emptying: The need to remove sludge (solid waste accumulated) might be needed semi-annually or annually. Estimated cost might be in the region of £130–£260 per year (depending on system and local contractor rates).
Servicing & parts: Periodic maintenance, checking diffusers, alarms, electrical parts, etc. The ceramic diffuser and simple design help reduce parts frequency.

Over the lifetime of the plant, the operating costs are typically modest relative to the installation cost, especially when well maintained.