A septic tank is an underground wastewater management system that effectively treats domestic wastewater. It is necessary to have an effective septic tank in place if your property is not connected to the public plumbing system, for example, if you live in a rural location. Private septic systems offer a number of environmental and cost-savings benefits over regular plumbing, making them a popular choice for property owners. If you have a septic tank installed on your property, it is important that you are knowledgeable on the appropriate regulations and take steps to ensure compliance.
Before we discuss the new regulations, let’s look at some of the key terms that you should be aware of:
- Septic tank - A septic tank collects household wastewater in a settlement chamber. Any solids sink to the bottom and form a sludge that can then be removed and the remaining water is then treated using a variety of filtration systems. This makes it safe for release back into the environment.
- Drainage field - This is a system involving a series of perforated pipes placed over trenches. The drainage field is usually placed beneath a garden, so the liquid can be safely absorbed by the ground.
- Wastewater - This is any liquid produced by a household including food waste, oils and greases from bathrooms, laundry and kitchens.
The New Regulations
New rules on septic tanks came into force in January 2015. If your system was installed before 31 December 2014, you are classed as having an ‘existing discharge’. Whereas, if your system was installed on or after 1 January 2015 you have a ‘new discharge’. Under these rules, your septic tank must meet new, higher standards.
What does this mean?
In summary, the new regulations mean that if you have a septic tank that discharges into a watercourse (river, canal etc.), you must either replace your system with a full sewage treatment plant, or upgrade your existing tank by installing a drainage field system. Under the new rules, no other method of effluent disposal is allowed. This means you can no longer use a soak away, well, or borehole to dispose effluent to the ground.
This action must be taken by 1 January 2020, or before you sell your property if it is before that date. These new general binding rules were introduced by the Environment Agency to address concerns over wastewater polluting watercourses. They aim to make septic tank systems more environmentally-friendly and reduce associated pollution.
What do I need to do?
If your septic tank is discharging waste to a watercourse, then you have a few options to ensure that you are compliant once the new rules come into force:
Option 1
You can replace your existing septic tank with a full sewage treatment plant. A sewage treatment plant produces a clean, non-polluting effluent that can be safely discharged into a watercourse, without the risk of environmental harm.
Option 2
You can stop discharging into a watercourse by upgrading your septic tank with a drainage field system. This means that your tank can discharge into the ground instead of into a watercourse.
British Standards
To be compliant, your septic tank must meet the appropriate British Standards in place at the time of installation. Under these rules, newly installed septic tanks must:
- Have BS EN 12566 certification.
- Use a drainage field for effluent disposal.
The simplest way to know if your septic tank met the British Standards in place at the time of installation is if your septic tank:
- Has a CE mark.
- Has a British Certificate of compliance.
- Is registered on the British Water’s list of approved equipment.
If you have a septic tank that was installed before 1983, then this was before any British Standards were in place, so your tank will not meet the required standards and will need replacing.
Additional responsibilities
Under the new regulations, septic tank owners have a number of additional responsibilities which includes:
- Your septic tank must be the correct size for your waste needs and installed correctly.
- Your septic tank must be properly maintained, which includes emptying the tank regularly to reduce the likelihood of leaks or spillages.
- Any repairs to your system must be carried out by competent, accredited person.
In summary, it is important to do your research and know what action you need to take to remain compliant once the new rules come into force. If you are unsure of your responsibilities, or whether your planned improvements will meet the required standards, then you can always contact the Environment Agency or local septic tank provider for advice.
