Septic Tanks

How Does The 2020 Septic Tank Regulations Affect You?

Discharges from septic tanks, directly to a surface water drains are not allowed under the General Binding Rules issued by the Government?

Septic tanks separate the septic liquid from the sewerage-solids and then discharge the liquid effluent via a drainage field.  Soakaway pits and soakaway crates should NOT be used to receive effluent from your septic tank - THIS IS NOT ALLOWED.

The new Environment Agency General Binding Rules (1 January 2015) forbids the discharge of untreated effluent into a surface water drain (including ditches, rivers, canals, streams or any other watercourse).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU HAVE A SEPTIC TANK THAT DISCHARGES TO A SURFACE WATER DRAIN.

• If you are  living in a property which is not connected to mains drainage
• If you are considering selling or buying a property which is not connected to mains drainage?

If you own or intend to sell a property before the 1st January 2020, you must replace the septic tank with a packaged sewage treatment plant.

Alternatively, where possible, you can divert the discharge from your septic tank to a correctly designed drainage field. 

For more information : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-a-surface-water