Septic Tank Regulations for England and Wales 2020

Posted On: 20 April 2017

Septic Tank Regulations for England and Wales 2020

Posted On: 20 April 2017

By the 1st January 2020 all Septic Tanks within England and Wales that currently discharge to surface water will need to have been upgraded or replaced with a Sewage Treatment Plant.

The Environment Agency (EA) and Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) introduced new regulation changes in January 2015 stating:

“You must use a small sewage treatment plant to treat the 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 1 January 2020, or when you sell your property if before this date.”

Full details of the regulations can be viewed here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-a-surface-water#rules-for-existing-and-new-treatment-systems

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

If you live in England or Wales and currently have a Septic Tank that discharges to surface water you might need to replace your tank with a Sewage Treatment Plant.

Your options:

  • Connect to mains sewer
  • Install a drainage field/infiltration system
  • Replace your Septic Tank with a Sewage Treatment Plant

If option 1 or 2 is not possible for you, you will need to upgrade to a Sewage Treatment Plant.

I NEED TO UPGRADE TO A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

Look no further than our range of Harlequin Sewage Treatment Plants.

HydroClear Range:

  • Slim Profile
  • Easy Installation
  • Pollutant Removal Level 96.6%
  • Inhabitants Served 1-50

View our Harlequin HydroClear range here.

CAP6 Sewage Treatment Plant:

  • Compact System
  • Simple Installation
  • Pollutant Removal Level 96.2%
  • Easy Maintenance
  • Inhabitants Served 1-6

View our Harlequin CAP6 here.

FIND A SUPPLIER NEAR YOU

To find your nearest supplier click below to visit our Harlequin Water website.

Click here to find a supplier.

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