Everything You Need to Know About Septic Tank Regulations

If you own a property without mains drainage network connection, then it is crucial that you know exactly where you stand when it comes to septic tank regulations.

In a move to prevent water pollution, the Environment Agency set out new rules as of January this year, which means you may need to upgrade your septic system if it is not currently compliant.

Could You Be Breaking the Law?

If your septic tank is still discharging into streams, rivers, ditches and similar water sources, you are breaking the law.

Under Environment Agency Septic Tank General Binding Rules, your old system must be replaced by a full sewage treatment plant.

How Do Septic Tanks Work?

A septic tank settles the solids in the wastewater and then pushes the liquid septic waste to the ground through a drainage field.

Under the new regulations, discharge cannot be dispersed to surface water areas, such as rivers, canals, streams, ditches or any other type of waterway.

If the septic tank is dispersing into a drainage field, this must be a certain distance away from any form of watercourse, so your new system must be installed by a professional drainage expert to ensure this is adhered to.

Under the new legislation, if your septic tank is releasing into surface water, you must have this upgraded or replace by a complete treatment system.

All septic tanks that are discharging in this way must be either:

• Replaced with a sewage treatment plant with
  complete BS EN
  12566-3 documentation

Or

• The discharge into the watercourse must be
  blocked and redirected to a drainage field, designed to meet the latest British
  Standard BS6297 2007.

Septic Tank Regulations & Selling Your Property

The majority of homeowners that have old septic tanks on their property may not be fully aware of the latest regulations since they have not been widely distributed.

Some property sales in 2020 have hit a few snags due to the new regulations, as solicitors are becoming more aware of the requirements, and homeowners discovered that they aren’t able to sell their property unless upgrade works are carried out.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure this is undertaken and completed before completion at their own cost.

Before bringing any rural property to market, we advise that you contact a reputable contractor to survey your septic tank to ensure that it complies with the current regulations.

Even if your system does comply with the current regulations, it is essential to make sure that your tank is emptied and inspected before you bring the property to market, as this is probably one of the questions that will be asked of you by the solicitors.

If you are purchasing a property, it is crucial that you know precisely what kind of drainage system exists at a property, and what condition the system is in, prior to making the purchase. As per the guidance on the General Binding Rules:

“If you are buying or selling a property with a septic tank that discharges directly to a watercourse, you should agree with the buyer or seller who will be responsible for the replacement or upgrade of the existing treatment system. You should agree this as a condition of sale.”

If you require any help with preparing your property to market, or you are interested in any of our other services, please contact us today.