Are You Prepared for the Regulation Change in 2020 Affecting Septic Tanks & Soakaways?
To reduce water pollution, the Environment Agency has set out a series of regulations to minimize the impact of wastewater and sewage on the local environment. The regulations come into force in January 2020. If your current septic tank or soakaway system does not comply, you are required to upgrade or replace your system. If you are selling your home, then you must comply with the regulations before January 2020.
What Changes Are There:
Residential & commercial property owners have a duty to ensure their sewage treatment system does not discharge wastewater directly to surface water and must be discharged to the drainage field. If you have a septic tank that discharges directly to surface water, you will need to upgrade or replace your sewage treatment system in accordance with the regulations.
What Options Do You Have to Comply?
Install a new septic tank or sewage treatment plant system. Treatment plants process wastewater and sewage, dispersing water that is clean enough to discharge into the waterway or drain field. If you upgrade your septic tank with a sewage treatment plant, this will eliminate the need for a drainage field. Alternatively, a new tank must have a large enough capacity to handle the volumes the septic tank will receive.
Install a soakaway or drain field. Drain fields sit below the surface and remove contaminants and impurities. A soakaway is not possible on some sites due to a lack of space or unsuitable soil.
Connect to the main sewer. Rural properties may not be able to connect to the main system – contact your local water company for confirmation.
How Do I Know If My System Complies?
If your septic tank was installed prior to 1983 before the British Standards were in place, your tank will not meet the new regulations.
Need Help?
At Alton Pump Services, we can help advise you on the appropriate septic tank or sewage processing plant and provide and install a suitable system for your commercial or residential property. We will follow the code of practice for flows and loads according to the code of practice prepared by the British Water Package Sewage Treatment Plant Focus Group.
In addition to installing the correct size tank or system, it is advisable to set up a plan to maintain your septic tank. This involves ensuring your tank is emptied on a regular basis by a professional. Contact the Alton Pump Services Team to book your tank empty or to discuss your tank requirements: 01420 561661