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Septic Tank Regulations 2022 – Are You Compliant With The New Legislation?
18
Mar
Mar
If you’re building, reside in, or own property off the mains drainage network it’s crucial that you’re in the know about the changing septic tanks legislation.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2020 Septic tanks MUST NOT discharge to any type of waterway without treatment
- A sewage treatment plant CAN discharge into a waterway
- In Scotland and Wales, you must register your sewage treatment discharge with either SEPA or Natural Resources Wales respectively.
In an attempt to take measures against water pollution, the Environment Agency has laid down General Binding Rules, which means that after January 2022 you will have had to upgrade or replace your septic system.
Septic tanks can contaminate groundwater supplies and surface water in lakes, streams, and rivers. Such contamination can render supplies unsuitable for drinking and cause harm to the environment, with social and economic ramifications.
The legislation of septic tanks started in 2010. Around this time, all septic tanks had to undergo registration. In 2011 the Government revised this approach and doled out a consultation in 2014.
In January 2015, new regulations were made following the consultation. Septic tank regulations 2015 dictate the way septic tanks are controlled in England, improving water quality and safeguarding the environment.
If your septic system was installed and discharging before this date, you’ve what is known as ‘existing discharge.’ If it was installed and discharging after this date, you’ve a ‘new discharge.’
Formerly, you could discharge the waste from septic tanks in two ways:
1: Soakaway System
The effluent is discharged through a network of underground pipe in nearby sub-soils, providing another form of treatment for the wastewater from the septic tank. This helped make sure that the wastewater being released didn’t cause pollution.
Septic tanks discharging into a drainage field aren’t affected by 2022 septic tank soakaway regulations.
2: Waterway
The sewage runs through a pipe directly into a lake, river or stream. The new rules do affect the direct discharge to a waterway as they simplify that direct septic tank discharge into a ditch will no longer be allowed.
If you’ve a septic tank, by law, you must act per the ‘general binding rules’ by making sure your system is properly maintained and doesn’t cause pollution.
Additional protection is in place in zones classified as environmentally sensitive, where people might need to request for a permit.
New Septic Tank Regulations In 2022 Explained
Straight to the nitty-gritties, what is changing as of 1 January 2022 with regards to septic tanks?
Well, if you’re accountable for a property that has a septic tank or are buying an estate with a septic tank, you need to be conversant with the upcoming legal requirement to upgrade by 2022, which could affect you.
Please use this info to find out if you’ll be required to take action towards compliance before 1 January 2022 to avoid violating regulations and suffer an unwanted fine equating to £100,000:
Septic Tank Regulations England
A septic tank settles the solids in the wastewater and then discharges the liquid septic waste to the ground through a well designed and made drainage field – Not an Ezy drain, tunnel, soakaway crate, or soakaway pit. These are inadmissible for wastewater dispersal.
Septic tanks cannot discharge to surface water drains, rivers, canals, ditches, streams or any other type of waterway.
Under the new Environment Agency Septic Tank General Binding Rules, if you’ve a specific septic tank that discharges to surface water (river, stream, ditch, etc.) you are required to upgrade or replace your septic tank treatment system to a full sewage treatment plant by 2022, or when you sell property, if it’s prior to this date.
All septic tanks that as of today discharge into waterways must be either:
- Replaced, using sewage treatment plants with full BS EN 12566-3 Documentation, or
- The discharge to the waterway impeded and redirected to a drain field, designed and made according to the up-to-date British Standard BS6297 2007
Septic Tank Regulations Scotland
If your property resides in Scotland, you MUST register your sewage treatment discharge, both existing and new with SEPA (Scotland) before 1 January 2022.
If it’s an existing discharge that has been in use since 1st April 2006, then you can register it if it’s for 15 people or fewer.
If it was in use before 1st April 2006, then you can register it if it’s for 50 people or fewer. For populations higher than these, on the dates highlighted above, then you have to get a license from SEPA.
Septic Tank Rules and Septic Tank Registration Wales
If your property resides in Wales, you MUST register your septic tank or sewage treatment plant with Natural Resources (Wales) before 2022. You’ll also require consent of discharge for any discharge to ground through a watercourse or drain field.
For small-scale discharges, it’s usually free, subject to conditions:
- If your sewage treatment plant, or septic tank discharge into a drain field in the ground and the residential property has up to 13 persons.
- If your package sewage treatment plant discharges to a waterway, and the residential property houses less than 33 persons.
- If a sewage system isn’t near a protected location, or the groundwater under your property, runs to a water extraction point that is used for human consumption.
- For instances of the above, a source protection zone for drinking water or a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). Natural Resource Wales will check this once they get your application.
Looking for a compliant tank?
Frequently Asked Septic Tank Questions… Answered!
The following are some questions you might have about your septic system to better understand if your septic tank is 2022 ready, how to maintain it, and how it functions:
What are Small Sewage Treatment Plants and Septic Tanks?
If your business or home isn’t connected to the mains sewage system, the effluent from your washing machines, sinks, showers, baths, and toilets will flow into one of the following systems:
- A Septic Tank is an underground tank where solids descend to the bottom forming sludge, and the liquid flows into a drain field where microorganisms treat it as it penetrates the ground. It’s not allowed to discharge into a waterway.
- A Small Sewage Treatment Plant works in the same way but uses mechanical parts to oxygenate the microorganisms, which makes them more effective at treating effluent and means they can discharge treated wastewater into flowing water or a drain field.
- A Cesspit or Cesspool is different since the raw sewage is deposited in a sealed tank, instead of being treated and discharged, which means the general binding rules does not cover them. However, cesspit regulations dictate that they must be drained when full and shouldn’t be allowed to leak or overflow.
What are My Responsibilities as a Homeowner?
Under the new code of practice put into effect by the Environment Agency, homeowners are in charge of the installation and maintenance of the sewage treatment system on their property and to reduce its impact on the local environment.
What are the Deadlines?
If the Environmental Agency discovers before January 1, 2022, that you’re currently contaminating surface water through discharge from a septic tank, you’ll be required to install a new system before the new regulations are implemented.
In such circumstances, you’ll be given 365 days to upgrade, although this will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
What are the Options?
Well, there are two ways in which you can comply with the new regulations:
- Exchange your septic tank for a sewage treatment plant* – a sewage treatment plant produces water that’s clean enough to discharge straight to a waterway.
- Install a soakaway system or a drain field – this will take the wastewater from your septic tank, and discharge it safely into the ground without causing pollution.
*If you already have a septic tank which needs to be converted to comply with the regulations, a Marsh Uni Gem Septic Tank Conversion Unit can be used as an alternative to replacing the system.
What Do The New Regulations Mean For Septic Tank Owners?
If your septic tank was installed and discharging on, or after, 1st January 2015 it must conform to the ‘General Binding Rules’ by discharging to a drain field. This is known as a ‘new discharge,’ and no action has to be taken, however, if your septic system was discharging before the regulations on 31st December 2014 you’ve got an ‘existing discharge’.
‘Existing discharges’ are no longer deemed safe and the Environment Agency demands that these septic systems have to be replaced with new, compliant systems before 1 January 2022.
If you’re selling your property the ‘General Binding Rules’ simplify that you must replace your system with a compliant one prior to selling your home.
On the other hand, if your septic system poses a serious risk to environmental or human health or is causing pollution, the Environment Agency will ask you to upgrade or replace your septic tank before 1 January 2022 and within 365 days of being notified.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Make sure your septic system is correctly sized and installed, according to the new septic tank installation regulations. Always consult the Government’s Approved Document H before undertaking any installation.
Additionally, you’ll need to ensure your tank is maintained and emptied on a regular basis by a professional (e.g., a registered waste carrier) in line with the manufacturer’s directions.
If you’re buying or selling, it’s the seller’s duty to inform potential buyers in writing if an estate has a septic tank – including its maintenance requirements and its exact location.
Keep in mind that if you reside in Scotland, Wales, or near groundwater source protection zones (SPZ1), other rules might apply. Your manufacturer can provide guidance but always check with your local environmental agency as well.
How to Follow the Regulations and Protect Your Local Environment
Complying with the general binding rules is easy. Here are the main things you need to do:
- Have your septic system emptied by a registered waste carrier regularly to make sure it doesn’t cause pollution
- Maintain your septic system regularly, getting any problems or faults fixed immediately
- You’re limited to discharging utmost 2,000 liters of treated waste daily into the ground or 5,000 liters of treated waste daily to flowing water. If you discharge more, you’ll need a permit.
- Check in with the Environment Agency before installing a new septic system as you might require a permit. Speak to your local council to determine if your system meets building and planning regulations.
Quick Tips for Maintaining Your Septic Tank
Maintaining your septic system properly will help minimize your energy consumption, avoid costly repair bills, and prevent pollution. Here’s how:
- Have the sludge emptied regularly by a registered waste carrier
- Get it serviced annually by a certified engineer and fix problems immediately
- Frequently check for signs of pollution like grey fungus, lush weeds, foam, sludge, pools of water or sewage smells in your local river or stream. If you spot any of these problems call a professional for help:
- Don’t flush wipes, nappies, sanitary items or similar objects down the toilet as they can block the system
- Don’t put chemicals, oils or fats down the drain as they kill the microorganisms that help break-down the waste
- Avoid using phosphate detergents, which are harmful to the environment
- Keep maintenance records, so you know when to empty and service your system
Conclusion
It’s not all gloom and doom; there’s still enough time to make the switch. And let’s face it, no one wants to think about the inhabitants of the local rivers or streams hanging around in the polluted water from septic tanks, so it’s a positive change for the environment.
If you’re unsure whether your septic tank has existing or new discharge, contact the Environment Agency who will be able to inform you if your system is compliant. The government’s own guide is available here.
Check out our compliant tanks:
Here’s a helpful video from our partner Marsh Industries on the subject:
My septic tank has been here longer than we have (35 years) do I have to install a new septic tank before I move which is soon. The septic tank is in good working order and drains of into a over flow ditch. If I do need a new system how much would it cost.
This comment apply s to my situation on the property I am buying?
Hi Marion!
It looks like possibly you may have to upgrade to meet the new regulations. Please give us a call and we can discuss it in more detail. We will be able to get someone from the tank manufacturers to call you back and check for sure also.
I have a cesspit it’s been here over 80 year’s do I have to change for a new one
Hi Joe! Most likely. It’s impossible for me to be able to tell you any more than what’s in the guide above. I think the best option would be to contact your local water authority and give them the details / have them inspect it and tell you for sure. Hope that helps. Many thanks. Lee.
I am about to buy a property with a septic tank. I have been advised by the vendors that it does not need upgrading and that it drains via soakaway to a neighbours property. Is this acceptable and how can I confirm that these statements are true?
Hi Viv.
Going by the guide above, it does sound like it will meet the new regulations as it drains into a soakaway. However the only way to be sure would be to contact your local water authority and have them check. Many thanks. Lee.
I’m sorry but I’m confused! I’m buying a property with a septic tank which I am told is a soakaway system (so should be ok?), but it was installed before 2014 so probably isn’t?? And if it isn’t, does the seller or me have the responsibility to upgrade it? We haven’t exchanged contracts yet but are close to doing so – I hope. Jane
It is the homeowners responsibility to ensure it conforms to the new rules prior to sale, contact you local engineer for help
Hiya Jane! It does sound like you might be OK, but we can’t comment on individual cases. The best thing to do is to contact your local water authority so that they can take a look at your individual case.
Hi,
I am on a septic tank which I share with a neighbour. The septic tank is in their garden. My neighbour approached me a couple of weeks ago to say they had heard of this new regulation and found out a little more on the internet. Nobody has told us about this previously and neither of us had come across this. We have had a quote of £4100 to connect the outlet to a main drain but we cant afford this. If we had known a few years ago we could have put money aside but with less than 5 months to go I don’t know what to do. My neighbour is well off and money is not an issue but I don’t have two pennies to rub together. A loan or credit card is not an option. Just feel we should have been told about this years ago. Obviously can’t afford any sort of fine either. Doesn’t seem like this was made common knowledge to septic tank users.
Thank you.
Hi Philip. Sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately we can’t really help or advise. We don’t make the rules, we’re just trying to answer some questions for our customer who’re interested in the upcoming regulations change.
Wish you all the best with your situation. Lee.
I have a pre-2015 septic tank with a seperate soakaway. The slab on the tank has partially collapsed and I therefore need to replace the tank due to damage to the structure. Can I replace the tank and connect it to the original soakaway, or do I need to upgrade to a drainage field?
Contact you local British water engineer: your soakaway (drainage field) must conform to BS 6297:2007 regulations
Hi I’m about to move in to house with a septic tank that was installed in mid 1970s.
Will I need to change ?
Hi Chris. Have a word with your local water authority who should be able to advise: https://discoverwater.co.uk/water-sector
How far does a septic tank have to be from the house ?
10 Metres
Can you run a non drinking well into a septic tank? I can not see anywhere on the internet that says you can not.
I’m not sure either I am afraid Wesley. I’d suggest giving Harlequin Plastics a call, they make the tanks: 028 9261 1077 I am sure they’ll be able to answer this one quickly for you!
Wesley, you must ensure that you do not overload your septic tank with additional water from either a well or roof/top water. Only foul or grey waste from a property can be discharged into a septic tank. A septic tank is designed for your property based on certain calculations from British waters flows and loads document. You should consult an engineer
i have a sepic tank and drain field in my garden it was installed around 2004 during heavy rain the system struggles to drain away as it should . i am told that if i have a treatment system added to my sepic tank it will help with the soakaway is this right
I am buying a house which should complete after the 01st of January 2020.
The house has a septic tank, but we have no information on what it is, the size or when it was fitted.
The house had been repossessed by the bank.
As I won’t be the legal owner until after the 01st January 2020, is the bank responsible for the cost for updating the septic tank?
If you look on the Gov website it states that it is the sellers responsibility to ensure compliance and disclose non-compliance of a current system after that date however your Solicitors should be aware that as soon as you take ownership the liability so buying off a bank who have never had residency you need to make sure that the tank is inspected by an expert. To cover all avenues I would recommend a full survey and your surveyor when told there is a septic tank will probably recommend an engineer look at it.
I have a sewage treatment plant installed about 30 years and was issued Consent To Discharge certificate It has been regularly serviced and internal pump replaced a number of times .When first installed it was sampled a couple times a year and results recorded with copy sent to ourselves.by Severn Trent. Approx 10/11/ years the regular sampling ceased. It has never given any problems of smell whilst working or discharging into the ditch just basic maintenance once or twice a year. Do I need to do anything?
Are properties in rural areas ‘without ‘sewage treatment plants IE septic tanks cess pits etc likel;y to be contacted by environmental health/building control and served enforcement notices to get them updated?
If not why not?
I am doing planning permission for a septic tank but I might want a treatment one instead. Do I need to make sure that the type of tank is stated within the planning permission?
Also the guy completing states that there isn’t a waterway nearby that we could use but I wouldn’t know where to look to know if there is one or not near the new house?
Farm house sold, pipe from farmhouse sent raw sewerage to our field, not known to us. This was stopped. Stables now converted to housing, the builder p, although original plans said allwater to stay on property, persuaded the local council to allow them to put in new drainage system and connect to farmhouse pipe, cheaper for them. We said no, they did it. Arguing now with council and builder. He changed pipe in our field into a ditch, not drainage field, and quagmire in field, we have disputed their right as no pipe in original farmhouse plans show stables being connected. Do they have rights and can we block inspection chamber as not maintained for well over 20 years. Four other houses, prior, do have rights and this goes to proper soakaway, including our own, what can we do, Council were informed in 2012, drainage done after 1st January 2015, not used until late 2019. Council reneging on responsibility and builder used private building regs to dodge works being checked so Council ignoring liability, even though told in advance. We are elderly.
No-One has any rights to connect to any pipe on or under your land, without first having you sign an irrevocable wayleave. The council cannot authorise anyone to make use of your land, without your consent.
Is it the house Seller’s responsibility to empty the septic thank before the sale of their house ‘Complete’s?
We have a Klargester septic tank & inspection chamber installed in 1992. According to site plans this then drains into an agricultural drain soak away, but someone at the Environment Agency have just told me that soakaways are illegal as from January 2020. We have a Consent to Disharge Certicate, but believe this is meaningless now. How do I find out if I am compliant please?
A new build was constructed in 2016 on a plot adjoining our garden.. There was septic tank and drainage field fitted which was built in his sloping back garden. Our garden is at the bottom of that slope and even lower down. Since the neighbours moved in we have had trouble with their sewage discharging onto our property. The first drainage field was found to contravene building regulations as it was too small. A new drainage field was constructed but it also contravened building regulations as it was too close to our property. The neighbour arranged for a Water Treatment plant to be installed which was attached to the second drainage field. This was then passed by Building Control. Water ingress continued to be an issue and is still occurring. Recently we had a water sample taken and it has a high faecal content and a large portion of our garden has had to be cordoned off. Is our neighbour, his builder and the Building Control Authority all liable for this contravention of the General Binding Rules?
If you own a site which has next doors cesspit on your land can you remove it ?
Hi, I have a cesspit, roughly 70 years old, that drains into a soakaway. Having read your article, I’m still a little confused.
Are you saying that when I sell the house, I’ll be required to replace this cesspit?
Thanks
Chris
Hi
I’ve been in my 2 bed cottage over 15 years and just heard about this as a neighbour is selling. I have a septic tank which uses a soakaway on my neighbours field for which I pay an annual fee. How do I find out if I am compliant or do I need a new soakaway tank in my garden.
I turn the pump on once a week for 5 minutes to empty the small tank and has the pump replaced a few years ago so it is a very efficient system.
Chatting to my neighbour it seems she has a soakaway in her garden now. Also what are the rough costs for this ?
I have a septic tank but don’t have the space to accommodate a massive drainage field.
So do I upgrade to a sewage treatment plant and discharge to a stream. Oh no I don’t have a stream running thru my garden.
Perhaps I can run some outlet pipes across nearby fields to run treated water into nearest stream, but the landowner won’t let me or charges too much111 Also I don’t have an easement so there is no future security when I come to sell my property!!! This is crazy, I could be left without sewage or ripped off by adjacent landowners and with no future security. Do I have another option or is this a dead end????
Our neighbours have a septic tank and they now run a business on their land meaning much more waste. They pump liquid from the tank onto the neighbouring field. None of the soakaways in this area have worked for years, the ground is dense clay. The corner of our paddock where it meets their property is waterlogged in winter and it stinks, especially in summer. There are huge lush weeds. They are aware of the smell and have looked into it but due to the cost of replacement with a sewage treatment plant (and, we think, the fact they have no suitable ditch or waterway to discharge water from a plant into), they have simply not done anything about it. We all drink water from boreholes. I’m very concerned about the smell and the potential for pollution. Is there anything we can do? Can they be reported to the environment agency?
Buying House September 2020 with septic tank that does not meet regs. Owner is elderly lady now in care home. We have made an offer but have now taken off the price of a new sewerage treatment plant and will make that point clear as part of our new offer. Are we going to be legal when we move in as long as we have programme of work in place?
The blog has so much information regarding septic tank regulation,this is been discussed in detail and in this particular blog you would get the best options which will surely relax your mind and will help you to use the best one. I would surely recommend others to go through this link.
Websites are advertising septic tank soak away crates. However some sites say there illegal. Its a much simpler install. What are the true facts on this.
Are specific septic tank soak away crates legal?
Our septic tank/soakaway was installed when our property was built in 1961 so I would assume it may need upgrading? However, we cannot afford to do this at the moment as we simply don’t have the funds available to do this. Are there any grants available to help with such costs?
what is the average cost to put a pipe from a sewage treatment system in my garden across a farmers field to a ditch, i am having an Easement drawn up, but need to know average cost before approach farmer
do they charge per metre of pipe buried in field/pick their own price/set prices
what is the maximum/legal distance that the sewage waste lorry can be to septic tank
We have just had our one emptied and he said it was 10 pipes long which is around 30 meters. They charge extra for longer distance. We didn’t know this and when he came out he was 1 pipe short so we put scaffold boards down as he said he wasn’t allowed to go on grass and by him reversing onto the scaffold boards the pipes could then reach
Good Day! This blog is very interesting and yes, Septic tanks cannot discharge to surface water drains, rivers, canals, ditches, streams or any other type of waterway. Keep it up!
Good Day! This blog is very interesting and yes, Septic tanks cannot discharge to surface water drains, rivers, canals, ditches, streams or any other type of waterway. Keep it up!
Really nice post!
What a fantastic blog!!! Really Appreciated work.
If you want an agency for septic tank installation or replacement in essex or nearby areas try Ashwaste Environmental.
There is a rule that if your tank is pre 1983 you do not have to replace / upgrade unless it becomes broken. Is this true
Hi, thank you for such a brilliant post. I have been reading some blogs that gives me more knowledge about septic tank regulations. I must say this is one of the best among them. You have done a great research for I feel, thanks for sharing.
Hello. We have just moved into a property which has a septic tank in the garden. After 2 weeks we had it emptied as it was full. The company said it was a 500 gallon one and that we couldn’t of filled it up that quickly in 2 weeks. It would need to be emptied maybe every 4-5 months which is gonna cost us £180 a time. But what I’m annoyed about, is that it wasn’t emptied before hand and also according to the regulations, this should of been upgraded or changed before the house was sold to us and it hasn’t been.
What can we do?! Can we go back to our solicitors and state that the system should of been changed before the house was sold and so they are liable for it. It’s concrete and has been here I would say a very long time.
I know nothing about these but with there being 6 of us, I’m concerned how often this needs to be emptied and if we go to solicitors and get the previous owners to replace the septic tank?! Thank you
Hi Shelley,
We have similar issue – did you manage to sort this with solicitors as the sellers should have had septic tank system changed to meet with new regulations effective from 1st Jan 2020?
Please let us know
Many Thanks….
We moved into a house 5 years ago which has a septic tank and soakaway. Septic tank is approx. 25years old but in good working order. However the soakaway is now struggling to cope with the use from our house, especially now we seem to get biblical style weather more frequently…
I need to get the soakaway altered/extended to allow for waste water to flow away and not keep backing up.
What, if any concerns will I have to deal with regarding these new Regs based on the current arrangement I have. I do not intend to ever move again for many many years.
Never been told about these new Regs by anyone before – only came across them whilst doing an internet search for drainage systems and found your site..
If the soakaway is extended, which isn’t a problem to do and was going to do it ourselves, what needs to be done for legal purposes. Does it need registering etc, and if so, who to?? we knew the house had one as it was picked up in the house survey – and obviously the local Company who does the emptying know we have one…. I don’t want any fine landing on my doorstep.
There is a septic tank shared by 6 properties, this does not comply now so we are having it changed to a treatment plant. How do we work out who pays what the properties are from 5 bedroom properties to 2 bedroom properties ?
I have been told it goes on how many bedrooms you have could you help.
Message 6 properties sharing new treatment plant. The 6properties vary in size from 5 bedroom to 2 bedroom. I have been told the price is worked out on how many bedrooms each property have.
Great Information! Many thanks for sharing this valuable article!
I have a Klargester 3800 litre septic tank installed at the time of building to all of the regulations, 2001, it is emptied once or twice a year flushed through and maintained. It comes under the new regulations as existing discharge. On installation, my tank does not drain into a river or a lake, neither does it drain into a field dyke or does it effect surface water; the drainage field, sits below the surface soil approx 3foot, a clay deposit of 2foot and it goes to a depth of 12 to 15feet, into the deep subsoil of the fens, where the micro biological action goes to work as it drains through that soil as does all rain water and all other fluids around the fens. I only found out about these new rules when I went to sell my house; there was never any notice given by the environmental agency to those who have septic tanks; here in the Fens there are hundreds if not thousands of homes using septic tanks or the old style cess pits. It is like some one owning a house built in the 1900s, living there for years to have some educated idiot tell them that their roof does not fit the current rules and regulations, and they must tear off their old roof and replace it with a new one. Is there a way that I can bring my septic tank up to the current regulations without having to spend £20,000. as a pensioner I get the impression that this is yet another way the government can get money, by sneaking in the new rules and not telling the people.
Utter chaos and unclear information, government and environmental agency all round. In a financial crisis they put much of elderly living in these conditions under pressure by rip off firms (3rd parties by insurance companies – who are only a financial loan by the way, your premiums will rise out into the milkyway!). Every article, rules etc read are so unclear for many existing cesspits and septic tanks, many do NOT discharge to watercourses (certainly not like the water companies with public mains sewage, or where the contents of the tanks when emptied by firms, as this paid for job by customers goes to the sewage works of the water companies). Most have clinker beds and discharge with a filtration of the many trees roots around, through stones, sand and other ground material for a good distance before it meets any watercourse, many fisheries test waters and other than trout & salmon known for purest waters Grayling are often found, the fussiest of buggers for fresh water and near these septic tanks, which are tested by environmental as well as these rip-off 3rd parties wanting £28,000 + VAT for a new system run on electric, when all inlet and outlet, drainage filtration field etc has no dye tests leaking into the water courses, no signs beyond the boundaries of land even! Local groundwork firms may charge less for the system and work anything in and around £7-12k, who knows if cheaper, but by calculations with average new system and watts on pump, price of energy as it stands, this will add roughly £100 + a year to your bills, with further rises due October and next January at least, estimated at doubling 100% again, can people afford all the higher costs of energy they use, let alone extra £200+ for running a new system, on top of having the whole installation in the first place roughly costing £10k? Even if half the price I know my 81 year old Mother and my Father at his property also 81, they cannot afford these expenses on top of the financial crisis of everyday costs at levels and likelihood of increasing.
What we would like to know is precisely who on the government is responsible for this environmental claptrap? There are way more important things including the public water authorities and the sewage they’re tipping into waterways from thousands, over these septic tanks often having occupants of 2-4 using them and servicing them regularly (although, unknown what happens to contents when emptied). It is disgusting to put 1 resident, or 2 under pressure of a ‘law’ to change a system, particularly where evidence is it must be working well for the type of fish in the water courses (and not discharging direct to the water, unlike the report from insurance 3rd party, who got address, property & dwelling information all wrong, plus the actual layout of drainpipes, gutters etc and the tank itself, so to believe a report which incorrectly stated the outlet discharged to surface water, having put 3 dye tests down the outlet pipe and finding no evidence close to the tank for leaks, none down the bank, or across the garden – acre of land to field next door – nothing!), it sums this country up, having such idiotic rules to smaller dwellings, not polluting the environment and people more likely to conserve, having been brought up on little to survive, war rations etc. The sewage thrown in rivers or the sea from water authorities by thousands of peoples homes and businesses should be priority over this and added to speaking on environmental with all the rubbish on turning to electric cars, more energy costs, who can afford to buy these? as well as installation of more electric sockets and dont forget the new septic tank systems, but in the meantime, American Airlines release a new concorde, which brings my question of why nothing mentioned on all flights & costs of fuel and the air pollution (much quicker than cars). Get a grip!!!
The article “Septic Tank Regulations” on EasyMerchant’s blog is a useful resource for anyone looking to understand the legal requirements for septic tanks in the UK. The author provides an overview of the regulations and requirements that homeowners must comply with when installing, maintaining, and septic tank emptying . The article is well-organized and easy to read, with clear explanations of key terms and concepts. Additionally, the author includes helpful tips and advice for homeowners, such as how to choose the right size tank and how to avoid common problems. Overall, this article is a valuable resource for anyone with a septic tank, providing essential information to help ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and prevent costly mistakes.
Thank you for sharing this insightful blog post on septic tank emptying . It’s crucial for homeowners to stay informed about the legal requirements surrounding septic systems. Your article provides a comprehensive overview of the regulations, highlighting key points such as permits, sizing guidelines, and environmental considerations. By emphasizing the importance of compliance, you are helping readers avoid potential fines and environmental damage. Additionally, the inclusion of useful resources and links further enhances the value of your post. Well-written and concise, this article serves as a valuable guide for anyone seeking clarity on septic tank regulations.
Your blog post on septic tank regulations is an excellent resource for homeowners and property owners. The comprehensive overview you provide sheds light on the important legal requirements surrounding septic tank emptying . From permits and installation guidelines to environmental considerations, you cover all the essential aspects. I appreciate how you simplify complex information and make it easily understandable for readers. Additionally, the inclusion of external resources and links further enhances the value of the post. By emphasizing the importance of compliance, you are helping readers ensure the proper functioning of their septic systems while adhering to legal obligations. Well done on creating such an informative and helpful blog post!
My 200 year old detached cottage has a two chamber septic tank located 3 metres from the rear of the house which drains into and drainage field pipe system located 50 metres from the septic tank via a pump installed in the septic settlement tank.
The septic tank is 50 years plus old, The drainage field pipe system is 16 years old all works fine, Does this comply.
Originally the tank drained direct into a field water drain trench but was blocked off twenty tears ago when the new field drainage system was installed .