Did you know that if you own a property containing a septic tank, then you have a number of legal obligations to meet. If you fail to do that, you could be liable for a heavy fine.
First of all, you are legally responsible for the operation of a septic tank if you own the property that uses it or your property shares the system with other properties. In this case you have joint responsibility.
You’re also responsible for its legal operation of you have an agreement with the property owner, for example if you rent a business premises and it’s part of your tenancy agreement.
However, if you bought a property connected to a septic tank, the seller was obliged by law to disclose any problems. You still have to prove, though, that they knew about the problems and failed to disclose them during the sale process.
What does the law say?
The operation of domestic tanks is regulated by General Binding Rules which came into effect in January 2020.
These rules affect whether, and how, you can discharge sewage from a septic tank into the environment. There are different binding rules depending on how long your septic tank has been operating, its capacity and whether they discharge into the ground or water. Septic tanks that don’t comply must be replaced or upgraded.
Sewage must also be treated before it’s discharged into the ground via a drainage field – you aren’t allowed to use a soakaway for wastewater. Drainage fields, which disperse wastewater into the ground, must also meet UK standards.
And you need to check with the Environment Agency that your drainage field doesn’t lie within a groundwater source protection zone 1 (in which the groundwater under your drainage field is being used as drinking water). This must not be polluted.
If your system can’t be made to comply with the rules, or it services a commercial premises, then you need to apply for a permit from the Environment Agency to operate it.
How to make sure you are complying with the law
You don’t want an accidental illegal discharge of wastewater into a watercourse and there are actions you can take so that your septic tank manages waste properly and within the law:
Spot problems early. It’s easy to forget your septic tank, especially as it’s probably hidden away or buried underground. It may be obsolete, but even a new one can become damaged: by tree roots; by hydrostatic pressure; subsidence; or heavy vehicles parking over it. In this case you might spot the following signs:
- Bad smells in the vicinity of your septic tank, outlet pipe or drainage field
- Pools of standing water around the tank
- Waste backing up into drains
- Slow-draining toilets and sinks
It’s important to act quickly and call a specialist company in septic tank repair and maintenance.
Regular maintenance. It’s better to avoid problems in the first place. Having a regular maintenance plan in place with a company will ensure that you don’t cause pollution on your own property or someone else’s.
Do you need help with your septic tank, a blocked drain or sewer?
At Drain and Sewer Services, we have trained teams who can empty, clean and install septic tanks as well as maintain them to prevent larger problems down the line for the owner.
Not only do you avoid breaking the law but, equally importantly, regular checks and maintenance keeps your septic tank doing its job, making a better environment within your premises and avoiding interruptions to operations.
We offer clients a full set of septic tank services, from installation to emptying and cleaning and keeping your tank in good working order and give operators peace of mind.
For 50 years, Drain and Sewer Services of Aldershot has been successfully looking after septic tanks, unblocking drains, sewers and gutters and repairing roads and drives.
Contact us today on 01252 312738 or email info@drainandsewer.co.uk to find out how we can help you.
