Households and businesses with such facilities are responsible for meeting the legal requirements or ‘general binding rules’. This is to ensure that systems are properly maintained and do not pose a pollution risk.
Most people will be able to follow the rules of usage without the need for a permit. However, in some environmentally sensitive designated areas additional rules are required to be followed.
What should I do?
Here are the main compliance rules to follow:
- Have the sludge from your septic tank or small sewage treatment plant emptied regularly by a registered waste carrier and ensure it doesn’t cause pollution
- Maintain your system by getting any faults or problems fixed immediately
- You are limited to discharging a maximum of 2,000 litres of treated sewage per day into the ground or 5,000 litres of treated sewage per day to flowing water. If you discharge more you will need a permit. Calculate how much your system is discharging at www.gov.uk/small-sewage-rules
- Speak to the Environment Agency before installing a new system as you may need a permit. Speak to your local council to check it will meet planning requirements and building regulations. Only install equipment that meets British Standard BS EN 12566
- If you sell your property, in form the buyer in writing that it has a septic tank or small sewage treatment plant
- The Environment Agency has produced an information leaflet to download and further guidance is available on GOV.UK.
For further information, including whether you need a permit, call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.