A Brief Guide to Septic Tank Regulations in the UK

Septic Tank Regulations in the UK

Overview

If a property cannot be connected to the main sewer, the sewage should go into a package sewage treatment plant or a septic tank. A cesspool or non-standard system such as a trench arc might also be used. However, if a home has a septic tank, it must meet the new septic tank regulations. Moreover, septic tank compliance will likely affect property rates in rural areas. The environment agency seeks rural homeowners with septic tanks discharging sewage into ditches to upgrade them urgently. The same also applies to surface water septic tanks.

What are the changes?

The septic tank regulations prohibit discharging waste drainage directly into watercourses. The watercourses include any drainage such as rivers, canals, streams, or any waterway flowing close to the property.

The rules also prohibit waste removal through surface water. Additionally, if your septic drains into a drainage field, the infiltration system must be away from any watercourse at a certain distance. You can reach out to a local waste drainage expert if you are unsure about this distance.

The solutions:

Besides upgrading the septic system, people can connect their property to the main sewer and avoid all these obligations. However, you can still get a special permit for a septic tank that discharges water surfaces.

Septic Tank Compliance

How do you ensure that a septic tank is compliant?

Typically, you have three options: 

1. Apply for a Permit: authorities give permits in exceptional circumstances to allow surface water drainage.
2. Instal a Drainage Field: fitting a drainage field in your septic system will release the waste safely into the ground.
3. Upgrade or Replace: upgrading the septic tank entails turning it into a sewage treatment plant. That way, you can discharge waste drainage safely into a watercourse.

General Binding Rules for a Sewage Treatment Plant

The regulations don't stop at upgrading or replacing a septic tank. Once you can discharge drainage waste safely, you have to follow other binding rules such as:

• Wastewater must be from domestic applications only, whether home or business.
• Sewage drainage must not pollute watercourses.
• Commercial properties must comply with British water flows guidance.
• Ground sewage discharges of more than 2,000 litres per day require a permit.
• Septic tanks in private properties must be at least 30 meters away from a mains sewer.
• You can only discharge treated sewage into watercourses in a year-round flow.
• You must comply with all sewage treatment distance requirements.

Upgrade A Septic Tank With New Sewage Treatment Plant

Meeting the 2020 septic tank regulations is critical. Moreover, ensuring 100% septic tank compliance in a rural property will increase its resale value. Remember, it is the homeowners' responsibility to ensure their system is compliant. Reach out to Tricel if you have any questions about sewage treatment solutions.