Septic Tank Legislation

SEPTIC TANK LEGISLATION IS CHANGING – FROM 1 JANUARY 2020

If you own, live in, or are building a property off the mains sewage network then it’s important you’re aware of upcoming changing legislation around septic tanks.

In a bid to tackle water pollution, the Environment Agency has set out General Binding Rules, which mean you have until 1 January 2020 to replace or upgrade your system if you are discharging from your tank straight to a watercourse.

If your discharge causes pollution you may be committing an offence. The Environment Agency will give you advice to help you fix the problem. If your discharge continues to cause pollution the Environment Agency may take enforcement action against you.

Rules for existing and new treatment systems

Use the correct treatment system

You must use a small sewage treatment plant to treat the sewage if you’re discharging to a watercourse such as a river or stream. A sewage treatment plant (also known as a package treatment plant) treats sewage to a higher standard than a septic tank.

Discharges from septic tanks directly to watercourses are not allowed under the general binding rules.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

If your septic tank discharges directly to a watercourse, you need to do one of the following as soon as possible:

• connect to mains sewer
• install a drainage field (also known as an infiltration system) so the septic tank can discharge to ground instead
• replace your septic tank with a small sewage treatment plant

You must have plans in place to carry out this work within a reasonable timescale, typically 12 months.

You cannot use a septic tank conversion unit or a reedbed for discharging effluent to a watercourse. Instead you must either upgrade to a package treatment plant or apply for a permit so that the Environment Agency can assess the risk of using this sort of system in your location. If you apply for a permit you will need to include supporting information to show that the treatment system will treat your sewage to an appropriate standard.

Don’t panic you are allowed to make these essential changes within a reasonable timescale which in some cases can be up to 12 months but you need to have acted upon the new regulations by the beginning of 2020.

If you need help with selecting the correct treatment plant for your home or commercial premises please get in touch via email [email protected] or call us on 01282 860643

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