CLEARMASTERS
repair engineers
call-outs
after every visit
and tankers
in drainage
The basics
How does a Tricel Novo work?
The Tricel Novo is a submerged aerated filter plant. Wastewater passes through three chambers: a primary chamber where solids settle, an aeration chamber where bacteria grow on a fixed bed of plastic media, and a final settlement chamber.
Your plant will also need regular desludging, and we can do both on the same visit. We service the other main makes too, including Graf and Marsh.
We do this work across Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and London, with tankers and engineers in each area most days.
A low-pressure compressor, usually in the top of the unit, supplies the air, and settled sludge is returned to the primary chamber. There are no motors or pumps in the tank itself, so the compressor is the part that needs the most care.
How it works
How a Tricel Novo works
Hover over or tap the numbers to see what each part does.
- 1InletWastewater from the property flows in.
- 2Primary settlement chamberSolids settle out here. Settled sludge from the final chamber is also returned here.
- 3Aeration chamber with fixed mediaBacteria grow on a fixed bed of plastic media and clean the liquid as air bubbles through it.
- 4Compressor and diffuserThe compressor supplies the air. Its filter and diaphragm are serviced every year.
- 5Final settlement chamberRemaining solids settle before the treated water leaves.
- 6OutletTreated effluent flows out to a drainage field or watercourse.
What we service
What a Tricel service includes
Compressor service
Air filter cleaned or replaced, diaphragm checked and replaced when worn.
Aeration check
Making sure air is reaching the media evenly.
Sludge return
Checking settled sludge is being returned to the primary chamber.
Sludge level
Measured so we can tell you when to desludge.
Effluent check
A look at what’s leaving the plant.
Service record
Useful for your files, and if you ever sell the property.
The rules
What the rules say about servicing
On the day
What happens on a Tricel service
We isolate the compressor
Power off before we open anything up.
We service the air system
Filter, diaphragm and air lines checked and serviced.
We check the treatment
Aeration, sludge return, sludge level and effluent.
We report back
What we found, what we did, and when to desludge.
Why Clearmasters
Why choose us for your Tricel plant?
The Novo is a dependable plant when its compressor is looked after. We service Tricel plants across the South East, and can desludge them too.
Ask us a questionAlways on hand
Planned servicing at a time that suits you, and 24/7 call-outs when something goes wrong.
Straight answers
We explain what we found in plain English, and give you honest advice on what needs doing now and what can wait.
Trained engineers
Our engineers hold current confined space entry certificates and work on treatment plants, pump stations and drainage every day.
Desludge when it’s due
We’ll measure the sludge on every visit, so you only pay for emptying when it’s needed.
What our customers say
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Scores as of September 2026
Questions answered
Tricel servicing FAQs
How often should a Tricel Novo be serviced?
Tricel recommend a full service every year.
How often does a Tricel Novo need desludging?
For the smaller domestic models, Tricel say every one to three years, depending on how many people use the plant. Larger models need it more often. We’ll measure the sludge on every service.
What if my Tricel compressor stops working?
The bacteria need air to survive, so call us straight away. It’s often a split diaphragm or a failed compressor, which we can replace.
Can you repair Tricel plants?
Yes. We repair and replace compressors, diaphragms, air lines and alarms.
Is desludging part of a service?
No, desludging is done by one of our tankers and charged separately, but we can arrange it for the same visit. Your engineer will measure the sludge and tell you when it’s due.
Is servicing a legal requirement?
The Environment Agency’s rules say your plant must be operated in line with the manufacturer’s specification, and should be regularly maintained in line with their instructions by someone competent. If your discharge causes pollution, the first question you’ll be asked is when it was last serviced. A regular service is the simplest way to stay on the right side of the rules.
Got a different question? Call 03333 233566 or send us a message. You can also read the rules on GOV.UK.
Related services
Fully accredited & compliant
We're independently vetted and certified so you can trust who you're letting onto your site.
SafeContractor
Health & safety pre-qualification accreditation, verifying our processes meet recognised safety standards.
RISQS
Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme — approved to work safely within the rail industry supply chain.
Achilles UVDB
Utilities Vetting Database membership, confirming we meet the utilities sector's supply chain standards.
Trading Standards Approved
Vetted and approved under the local authority's trusted trader scheme for honesty and fair dealing.
NADC Member
Members of the National Association of Drainage Contractors, the UK trade body for the drainage industry.
Registered Waste Carrier
Registered with the Environment Agency, so your waste is handled and disposed of fully within the law.