2020 septic tank regulations

Overview

Following the Environment Agency's code of practice (General binding rules: small sewage discharge to surface water), homeowners are responsible for installing and maintaining the sewage treatment system on their property.

When buying or selling a property, you must provide all information regarding maintenance requirements and the location of the septic tank to potential buyers in writing.

​Who is affected by the 2020 septic tank regulations?

Any homeowner in England or Wales with a septic tank directly discharging into a watercourse or causing pollution. 

What are the options?

Three solutions are available if your septic tank discharges directly into a watercourse: 

1. Connect to the main sewer. In many remote areas, this is not available. There may also be obstacles in connecting to the public sewer.
2. Install a drainage field. The infiltration system allows the septic tank to discharge to the ground rather than the watercourse. In many cases, installing a drainage system is impossible due to site constraints such as limited space or inadequate drainage potential, such as clay soil.
3. Install a small sewage treatment plant instead of a septic tank, eliminating the need for a drainage field.

In this case, the Tricel Novo sewage treatment plant is a suitable, cost-effective alternative. Besides being simple, reliable, easy to install, and compliant with environmental legislation, it is also easy to operate.

Tricel wastewater treatment plants are certified to EN 12566–3 and comply with S.R. 66:2015. As part of this certification process, all plants are tested for strength, water tightness, durability, and treatment efficacy.

Using a wastewater treatment plant which is C.E. certified, homeowners are assured of compliance with current standards, ensuring a high level of security and efficiency.

Tips for a hassle-free septic tank or sewage treatment plant

In wastewater treatment plants, sewage is treated inside a tank. In contrast, septic tanks separate solids from liquids in the tank and treat effluent using a percolation area or sewage treatment filters after the tank. The following parameters can be used to identify the solution type used by your property:

• Unlike sewage treatment plants, septic tanks do not require power to run the aeration and carry out the wastewater treatment process.
• Septic tanks should be emptied once a year, while treatment plants should be desludged every three to sixty months.
• A sewage treatment plant provides high levels of treatment, allowing direct discharge to streams, ditch watercourses, or drainage fields.
• A septic tank produces much more polluted effluent that must be discharged to a drainage field for further treatment by natural aerobic soil bacteria to achieve an acceptable level of purification.

Why Tricel?

Tricel provides high-quality, certified products that give you peace of mind. Our range of sewage treatment plants is designed and tested to meet C.E. regulations and industry standards. As one of Europe's largest manufacturers of sewage treatment plants, Tricel is considered a standard-setter within the industry by regulators. We offer innovative and leading solutions that our customers can rely on.

With Tricel, you are guaranteed the following:

• Consultation and advice are free of charge
• Certified and high-quality products
• A network of highly professional and recognized installers
• A free commissioning service
• On-demand maintenance and service contracts are available

What to do next?

Contact Tricel today to discuss any projects you might have. You can also request a quote now for a replacement sewage treatment plant. For more in-depth information about 2020 septic tank regulations, read this article.

Regulating agencies

For England and Wales, visit the Environment Agency's website to read the General binding rules: small sewage discharge to surface water.

Different restrictions apply for Northern Ireland and Scotland; check with the following authorities for further details: the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs if your property is located in Northern Ireland.