Septic Tank Upgrades
Septic Tank Upgrades
If you own a property with a septic tank in one of Somerset's designated river catchments, you could qualify for a free upgrade that improves your system and helps protect our local waterways for future generations. Register Your Interest - It's Free
The Problem: Aging Septic Tanks Affecting Our Rivers
Somerset’s rivers – the Tone, Parrett, Brue and Axe – are under environmental pressure. Older septic tanks discharge high levels of phosphates that harm these sensitive waterways, threatening wildlife habitats and water quality.
The typical septic tank discharges approximately 1.5–2.5 kg of phosphate annually into our rivers. Multiply this across hundreds of properties, and the environmental impact becomes significant.
For property owners, aging septic tanks bring their own concerns:
Performance issues – Frequent blockages, backups, and maintenance problems
Compliance worries – Uncertainty about meeting environmental regulations
Replacement costs – Eventually, failing systems need replacing at cost
Join Somerset Homeowners Protecting Our Rivers
The Solution
WCI Nutrient Neutrality offers qualifying property owners a completely free septic tank upgrade to a modern, high-performance sewage treatment system.
How is this possible?
Developers building new homes in Somerset's designated catchments must offset the phosphate impact of their developments - a planning requirement called nutrient neutrality.
Your upgraded system creates a measurable phosphate reduction (what experts call "phosphate betterment") that developers purchase as credits to satisfy this requirement.
The phosphate credits fund your free upgrade. You get a better system. Developers get planning approval. Somerset's rivers get cleaner water. Everyone benefits.
This is not a government grant. It's an environmental partnership where infrastructure improvement creates genuine water quality benefits while enabling sustainable development.
The Simple 4-Step Process
Register Your Interest
Complete the registration form. We’ll confirm whether your property falls within eligible catchments and add you to our register.
What happens next?
You’ll receive email confirmation explaining the process and typical timescales.
We’ll then send updates on the scheme progress.
Join the Waitlist
Because upgrades are funded by developer demand for phosphate credits, there’s currently a waitlist.
Typical wait time is currently 12+ months, though this varies by location and developer activity.
While you wait: We can offer maintenance services for your existing septic tank to keep it functioning reliably or discuss paid upgrade options if you prefer not to wait.
Site Survey & Agreement
When developer demand aligns with your location, we will schedule a free site survey
Our engineers will assess your property, existing system and any site-specific requirements, this takes between 1-2 hours.
If your site is suitable, we’ll explain the simple agreement and what’s next.
Professional Installation & Handover
Our installation team arrives with all equipment and materials. We bring portable facilities to minimise disruption during the installation period.
Once complete, your system is commissioned, tested and handed over with full documentation.
You’re now helping protect Somerset’s rivers!
Are You in an Eligible Area?
WCI Nutrient Neutrality’s Free Upgrade Scheme Somerset, currently operates in properties located within Natural England’s designated nutrient neutrality catchments:
River Parrett catchment | River Tone catchment | River Brue catchment | River Axe catchment
Open the Natural England Phosphate River Catchments- Interactive Map
Not sure if your property falls within these boundaries? Register your interest and we'll verify your location using Natural England's official catchment mapping.
What You Get:
A Complete System Upgrade at Zero Cost
Your old septic tank is replaced with a modern sewage treatment plant designed for your property's specific needs. These systems use advanced biological treatment to remove over 95% of phosphates before discharge - dramatically reducing environmental impact.
- Professional Installation - WCI Group's experienced installation teams complete the work to building regulations standards with minimal disruption to your property. Average installation time is usually 3–5 days.
- Full Commissioning - A WCI Service Engineer commissions your new system and provides clear instructions on operation. You receive manufacturer documentation and emergency contact details.
- First Year Service Included - Your first annual service is included at no cost, ensuring your system starts its life performing optimally.
- Garden Restoration- We restore excavated areas to a basic standard, leaving your property tidy and functional.
Who Qualifies for a Free Upgrade?
You may qualify if you meet all of these criteria:
Property Type
Your property must have overnight accommodation:
Main residences (houses, bungalows, flats)
Holiday lets and B&Bs
Care homes or nursing facilities
Granny annexes or converted barns with sleeping accommodation
The number of bedrooms determines system size and phosphate offset potential.
Location
Your property must fall within one of the designated Somerset catchments: River Tone, Parrett, Brue or Axe.
We verify location using Natural England’s official catchment boundaries.
Ownership
The property owner must sign the agreement. Tenants cannot participate without owner involvement.
For leasehold properties, leaseholder and/or mortgage company approval may be required – we can guide you through this.
Even if your tank lies on third party land, we can still upgrade but the new sewage treatment plant will need to be located on your land. The new sewage treatment plant can still discharge into soakaways or streams that are not on your land.
What About Shared Systems?
Shared systems can be upgraded. Both you and your neighbour will need to enter into shared legal agreements. Please talk to your neighbours and ensure they also want to upgrade before contacting us as we cannot negotiate with your neighbour on your behalf.
If you want to separate your system from your neighbour, WCI Group can provide a funded sewage treatment plant and separate you from your neighbours under the scheme. However, this implies a new discharge either to ground or to a stream which must be technically feasible. We cannot separate your property from neighbours if it would ‘cut them off’ from the existing system. Register your interest and we will consider the options when we survey your property.
Understanding Your Ongoing Responsibilities
The upgraded system belongs to you, there's no ongoing payment to WCI Nutrient Neutrality, no hidden fees and no catch. However, like any wastewater system, there are standard responsibilities to keep it working effectively:
Annual Servicing (Legal Requirement)
Under Environment Agency General Binding Rules, all sewage treatment plants require annual inspection - whether installed through our scheme or purchased privately. Think of it like an MOT for your car: essential maintenance that keeps everything working safely and legally.
- Service frequency: Once per year
- Service provider: Your choice of approved contractor (WCI Service Engineers offers this service, but you're free to use others)
- Typical cost: Similar to annual boiler servicing
This obligation exists for ANY treatment plant owner under current environmental law - it's not specific to our scheme.
Regular Desludging
Like septic tanks, treatment plants accumulate sludge that needs periodic removal.
- Frequency: Approximately every 2–3 years (similar to septic tank emptying)
- Provider: Any licensed waste contractor (you can continue using your existing company)
- Cost: Comparable to septic tank emptying you're already familiar with
What About Additional Costs?
The survey, equipment, and installation are entirely free. However, transparency matters - here are potential additional costs a small number of situations might involve:
Solicitor Fees
Most property owners proceed without needing solicitor advice. However, if your mortgage lender requires you to instruct a solicitor regarding the Unilateral Undertaking, any legal fees are between you, your solicitor, and your lender.
WCI does not require you to use a solicitor - this only arises if your lender specifically requests it.
Pre-Existing Drainage Problems
If your current foul drainage has a fault requiring repair before the new system can connect (cracked pipes, collapsed drains, etc.), you would arrange and fund that repair separately. Our survey identifies any such issues upfront. No surprises.
Rainwater Diversion
Many older septic tanks incorrectly receive rainwater from roof gutters mixed with foul water. Current regulations require these to be separated.
If your existing guttering discharges into your septic tank, you'll need to arrange diversion to a suitable soakaway before installation begins. This is usually straightforward groundwork.
Third-Party Access
If installation requires crossing a neighbour’s land beyond our standard access agreement, any additional costs or arrangements are between you and that landowner.
We always discuss foreseeable additional requirements during the survey - no hidden surprises.
General Questions About the Free Upgrade Scheme
Got More Questions?
Read all FAQS on Septic Tank Upgrades here, covering everything from eligibility and legal requirements to installation and maintenance.
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