What are the General Binding Rules?

The General Binding Rules were introduced by the Environment Agency in January 2015 to simplify the regulation of small sewage discharges from septic tanks and sewage treatment plants in England. There are 23 rules in total, and which ones apply to your system depends on when it was installed and where it discharges – whether to the ground or to a watercourse. If your system cannot comply with the applicable rules, you will need to apply for a permit. Full details are available on GOV.UK:

Discharge to the ground: gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-the-ground

Discharge to a watercourse: gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-a-surface-water