When the roof of Weavers Academy in Wellingborough collapsed, it left the school with severe water damage that rendered its main building unusable. To keep classes going, temporary accommodation was set up in modular units provided by Premier Modular and installed by Sector Group, including toilet facilities. But as with many temporary school accommodation projects, managing effluent disposal became a major concern.
The Challenge of Temporary Toilets in Schools
Temporary toilets often lead to tricky situations, especially in schools. For Weavers Academy, the initial plan involved installing effluent tanks that would need regular emptying by HGV road tankers.
Unfortunately, this approach came with serious drawbacks. First, there were significant health and safety concerns about bringing heavy-duty tankers onto school grounds while students were present. These tanker visits would also be a major disruption to the school day, causing delays and disturbances. Finally, emptying effluent tanks creates an unpleasant stench around the premises.
The contractors had the option of connecting the temporary toilets directly to the main sewer system by excavating a trench across the playground, but this was ultimately ruled out due to the high costs, potential disruption and long-term damage to the playground surface it would cause. Instead, the team needed a solution that would avoid excavation and keep the school grounds intact while addressing waste management in a safe, efficient way.
Photo by Sector Group
Enter CABINPUMP: A Safe and Efficient Solution
After careful consideration, the team chose to install two CABINPUMP units to manage the waste from the temporary toilets. CABINPUMP offers a unique advantage: each unit comes equipped with dual macerator pumps that reduce solids in the waste to a sludge that can be pumped over distances of up to 1,000 metres to a gravity drain on the main sewers – all without the need for disruptive groundworks.
This innovative approach brought several key benefits to Weavers Academy. It was far more cost effective than traditional methods and significantly reduced the disruption to students’ learning environment. Unlike regular tanker visits, the CABINPUMP solution required no heavy vehicle presence, making it much safer and healthier for everyone on school grounds. Plus, because the waste emptied directly into the sewer, there was no residual odour, creating a healthier and more pleasant atmosphere.
Why CABINPUMP is Ideal for Schools
For schools to continue operating efficiently while temporary facilities are required, measures must be taken to minimise disruption; this is particularly crucial during exams when the noise and smell of HGV road tankers emptying effluent tanks can be an unwelcome distraction. CABINPUMP eliminates all road tanker visits.
Schools must also maintain constant access to toilet facilities. If effluent tanks reach maximum capacity and there is a delay before they can be emptied, the school may be forced to close its temporary accommodation blocks until services are restored.
For more details on how CABINPUMP can transform your temporary toilet installations, contact Moduquip today.