General Binding Rules – Septic Tanks and Sewage Treatment Plants – Q and A’s

What do they mean?

General Binding Rules are set out by the Environment Agency (EA) and are designed to protect our waters and environment from sewage pollution that can cause numerous diseases, damage to watercourses including species that live in them.

What does it mean to me?

If you operate a sewage treatment plant or septic tank for your drainage system you need to ensure that all rules are met not only for the installation and discharge but also that you are maintaining the system on an annual basis. All rules can be found here: General binding rules: small sewage to the ground – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

I am selling my house and have a septic tank but I am not sure where it discharges, what should I do?

We work alongside estate agents and solicitor’s and carry out compliance surveys on septic tanks. We arrive on site with a suction tanker and after checking the working level we empty the tank to check the tank is water tight and a sound structure. We check the size of the tank is compliant for the premises it serves.

We then access the outlet and attempt to locate the discharge location via CCTV or dye testing. Rain water is checked to ensure this is not going into the system. A full report including any environmental factors that need to be considered is produced.

I am buying a house with off mains drainage should I get the system checked before I purchase?

Absolutely, for the sake of a survey cost you could be entering into a world of problems if the system is not up to compliance. These matters are always best raised before the exchange takes place to discuss monies with the purchase. Approach the current home owner or estate agent and ask if they have had a survey completed on the drainage. If they have, they should have a report from it. We are happy to look at the report and advise on this too.  This is also wise if you think soak aways might be blocked.

If you have any questions…

If you have any questions or queries, or if you have a problem with your drains or sewage, please do not hesitate to get in touch for a no obligation quote. Our friendly team are happy to help and advise on the phone or send an engineer to you for an assessment.

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