Does your septic tank comply with the latest regulations?
If you have a septic tank it must comply with regulations set by the Environmental Agency. Does yours comply?
Great news for the environment!
The Environmental Agency has made some great changes to help deal with water pollution.
But is this bad news for you?
The septic tank regualtions may require you to replace or upgrade your septic systems (if you have them). These regulations were made mandatory at the end of 2019.
Who needs to take action?
If your home is connected to mains water, then you’re fine! These regulations will mostly affect those where there is limited infrastructure, i.e. houses built on farmlands. If you know that you have a septic tank, read on!
What are the latest septic tank regulations?
To reduce the impact of pollution on the environment, septic tanks can no longer discharge waste water directly into surface water.
The Environmental Agency stated that septic tanks must either be replaced, modified or redirected to mains water to meet these latest regulations. These regulations became law on 1st January 2020.
Option 1 - Septic tank replacement
You will need to change your septic tank for a sewage treatment plant.
Why? Sewage treatment plants treat the water to a standard that it can be discharged back into a waterway.
Option 2 - Septic tank modification
In order to keep your septic tank it will need to be modified in one of two ways.
1. Install a drainage field
Drainage fields allow the water to safely discharge without causing pollution. They act as the ‘middle man’ between the septic tank and surface water.
2. Install a conversion unit
If there are site constraints that doesn’t allow for a drainage field to be installed, a conversion unit can be connected to an existing septic tank. This unit uses aerobic extended aeration, combined with biomass actuation to treat effluent from existing septic tanks.
Option 3 - Connect to mains water
The best solution would be to connect to a mains sewer where available, especially If your property is within 30 metres of one. If a gravity connection isn’t possible, a pump station could be used to achieve this.
How we can help
Whether you need to replace or modify your septic tank, we are on hand to help. We work with leading manufacturers Marsh and Klargester to supply you with all the right products, including sewage treatment plants, drainage fields and pump stations, to make your sewage system compliant with the new Environmental Agency regulations.
Contact our Civils & Drainage product specialists for more information.
Septic Tank Regulations FAQ
You will still need to make your septic tank compliant prior to selling your home, this is according to the ‘General Binding Rules’. You will also need to inform potential buyers of the septic tank, including information about location and maintenance.
Under the latest regulations that were made law from 1st January 2020, you are responsible for the installation and maintenance of your sewage treatment system/septic tank if:
- you own the property that uses the system
- you own a property that shares the system with other properties - each property owner is an operator, and you’re jointly responsible for complying with the general binding rules
- you have a written agreement with the property owner that says you’re responsible for the system’s maintenance, for example you’re renting and it’s in your tenancy agreement
(Guidelines taken from www.gov.uk)
The size of septic take/treatment system you need depends of the size of your property and how many people live there. Getting the right size tank is essential, not only to meet the requirements set out in British Water’s Flows and Loads 4 guidance, but also to avoid problems likes blockages and overflowing. Talk to our Civils & Drainage team who can advise you on what is suitable for your property.
If the Environmental Agency find that your septic tank has caused pollution, then you could find yourself with a very large fine. We advise that you take steps to ensure your septic tank complies with the latest regulations as soon as possible.
Do you have a septic tank that doesn’t meet the latest regulations?
Contact our Civils & Drainage team today. Our experts can advise you on the best solution for your property and deliver the systems straight to your door.
