New regulations for Septic Tanks Simplified

Posted On: 14 December 2018

New regulations for Septic Tanks Simplified

Posted On: 14 December 2018

Septic tanks are typically the most common solution for treatment of wastewater and sewage where mains drainage is not available. They are a cost effective but poor performing solution which ultimately cause pollution to watercourses. According to Flushed Away, a report published by WWF-UK, the world’s leading independent conservation organisation, 80% of rivers in England and Wales are not ecologically safe. Of this, 55% of rivers are polluted by waste water. Due to growing concern regarding pollution of watercourses, the UK Government through the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) produced general binding rules for waste water discharge to watercourse in 2015. These rules are based on the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2014 which bans untreated sewage discharge into a watercourse.

The Environment Agency (EA) guidance notes states that, “You must use a small sewage treatment plant to treat sewage if you’re discharging to a surface water such as a river or stream. A small sewage treatment plant (also known as a package treatment plant) uses mechanical parts to treat the liquid so it’s clean enough to go into a river or stream. Discharges from septic tanks directly to a surface water are not allowed under the general binding rules. If you have a septic tank that discharges directly to a surface water you will need to replace or upgrade your treatment system by 1st January 2020, or when you sell your property if before this date.”

The new septic tank regulations under the General Binding Rules are applicable to England and Wales. As per the new regulations, septic tanks cannot discharge into any watercourse such as ditches, streams, canals, rivers or surface water drains. So, if a property such as a home, hotel or commercial building has a septic tank system that currently discharges directly into a watercourse, it has to be replaced or upgraded with a full sewage treatment plant before 1st January 2020. However, if the property is being sold or if the Environment Agency finds out that it is causing pollution, action will have to be taken much earlier.

Before you replace or upgrade your existing septic tank system, it is important to fully understand the regulations and take action accordingly.

If a property has a septic tank that currently discharges into a watercourse, one of the following steps must be taken:

  1. The tank must be connected to a mains sewer where available
  2. A drainage field must be installed so that the septic tank can discharge into the ground
  3. The tank should be replaced with a small sewage treatment plant
  4. Get a permit to allow discharge to a watercourse
  5. Get a permit to use a septic tank conversion unit to upgrade an existing tank. But evidence must be provided that it will treat to the same standard as a full sewage treatment plant.

The onus of compliance to the new rules lies with the operator of the septic tank. The operator could be the owner, tenant, leaseholder or the user of the property/land where the septic tank is located.

All the treatment systems must be checked for the following:

  1. If your system met the relevant British Standard which was in force at the time of installation. The standards applicable for the new systems are – BS EN 12566 for small sewage treatment plants and BS 6297:2007 for drainage fields. This rule does not apply to tanks installed prior to 1983.
  2. If it has a CE mark or certificate of compliance with a British Standard or it’s on the British Water’s list of approved equipment.
  3. If it has sufficient capacity to meet the discharge requirements of the property
  4. If it is installed in accordance with specifications of the manufacturer
  5. If it is maintained as per the guidelines of the manufacturer
  6. It should be repaired or replaced if it is not in proper working condition. For example: if it has leaks, cracks in tank walls or pipes, blocked pipes, signs that the effluent isn’t draining properly, sewage smells, a failed motor, a failed pump or a failed electrical supply
  7. If the discharge to the sewer is below the ‘mean low water spring mark’ for a property in a tidal area

With just over a year to go there will be increased public awareness of these changes giving sufficient time for the operator to have a solution in place prior to the deadline. If you have a septic tank in your property, it’s about time you started to think about replacing or upgrading it.

Harlequin Waste Water Treatment Solutions

At Harlequin, we provide safe and efficient domestic wastewater treatment solutions to meet the needs of our environment. They can be further customised to suit your requirements. We also work with a network of competent installers in UK & Ireland who can help you install the product and provide you with additional technical support.

To find out more about our range of wastewater treatment systems or to find a reliable installer, contact our team on 028 9261 1077 or email info@harlequin-mfg.com.

If you’d like more guidance on how to install a sewage treatment plant, do read our blog here.