Septic Tank 2020 Regulations FAQs
The rules were designed to end the illegal practice of septic tanks discharging into ditches, streams, rhynes and rivers thus reducing the pollution in our nation’s watercourses. Under the GBR, anyone with a septic tank discharging into a watercourse must replace it or upgrade it by 1 January 2020, or sooner if the property is sold before this date, or if the EA finds that it is causing pollution.
WCI receives questions daily about GBR, 2020 and septic tanks. Here are the most common and our answers:
I’ve been told septic tanks and soakaways are illegal in 2020?
No. If you have an existing fully functional and GBR compliant septic tank and drainage field (termed soakaway colloquially) then you can meet the EA’s General Binding Rules.
I’ve read that my septic tank which discharges into a stream is illegal on the 1st of January 2020?
Yes. No discharges to a watercourse or ditch are allowed, new or existing – no matter how historic!
I read that as my system was built after 1983 I don’t have to comply with General Binding Rules? My system is as old as the house!
This is incorrect. General Binding Rules states that “If your treatment system was installed before 1983 there was no British Standard in place. You do not need to do anything to meet the British Standard requirement.” BUT “You must still meet all the other general binding rules”.
I’m purchasing a property with an illegal septic tank. The owner must replace it before we exchange contracts?
No. It is up to you and the vendor on how to agree how the system will be brought up to standard. General Binding Rules states “Where properties with septic tanks that discharge directly to surface water are sold before 1 January 2020, responsibility for the replacement or upgrade of the existing treatment system should be addressed between the buyer and seller as a condition of sale”. Many of our clients negotiate a reduction in the sales price of the property and agree to carry out the works post sale.
We have a septic tank and drainage field. There is a pipe from the drainage field to the field ditch but this is only in operation in the wetter winter months. Is this legal?
No. A septic tank must have a drainage field which has no relationship with a surface water (watercourse or ditch).
Is my only option to replace my illegal septic tank with a sewage treatment plant?
In a nutshell no. If your site conditions lend themselves to installing a new drainage field that can be a way of legalising your existing septic tank discharge but what I would caution is getting a professional to look at your options. Drainage fields on clay soil with a marginal porosity/vP can be more expensive than a package sewage treatment plant.
I want to replace my illegal septic tank which discharges to a seasonally dry ditch. Do I need a bespoke EA permit for the proposed new package sewage treatment plant discharge?
No. GBR are split into two sections rules 1-14 for existing discharges and 15- 21 for new discharges. New discharges must also meet rules 1-14. If you have an existing discharge from a septic tank and you are going to replace that septic tank with a new package sewage treatment plant and use the same discharge point then you meet rules 1-14 and DO NOT need an EA permit for the installation. You will need to install the system under a Building Control Notice and check that planning is not required.
I have an existing septic tank discharging to a rhyne. I am not planning on selling the property and don’t have the money to replace the system now. What is the likelihood I will be caught and what is a suitable timeframe to plan on getting the situation sorted?
The GBR state “If the Environment Agency finds evidence that your septic tank discharging to a surface water is causing pollution, you will need to replace or upgrade your system earlier than 1 January 2020. You will usually have to do this within 1 year, although this will be agreed on a case-by-case basis”. The bottom line is that unless you are selling or polluting a well frequented surface water, or someone reports you, the pollution incident is unlikely to be picked up quickly. This does not mean you should ignore it. If you can demonstrate to the EA that you are aware of the problem, that an expert has come to assess and quote for its remediation and you are budgeting for the works, the EA should work with you to impose a mutually acceptable timeframe in which the works can be completed.
How much is 2,000L day? A septic tank can discharge into a drainage field 2,000L of septic tank effluent a day but what does that mean in the real world?
The Environment Agency calculate (using British Water Flows and Load 4) foul water production from a person in a domestic situation as 150 litres/per person/per day. Therefore 2000 litres equates to 13 people’s domestic wastewater production per day. Non-domestic flows are calculated differently and WCI can help.
I am building a new house and I want to put in a new septic tank and be independent of the public foul sewer. I’m sure it is cheaper to have a septic tank. My property boundary is less than 30m from the nearest public foul sewer. I can have a septic tank, right?
No. If your property’s boundary is within 30m (for one property only, 60m for two properties etc.) then under the Building Act as referenced by General Binding Rules you must connect to the public foul sewer.
If you have a question that hasn’t been answered in this FAQ, please contact WCI on 01984 623404 or via our Contact Form.
