Impact of Environmental Permitting Regulations on management of small sewage treatment plants and septic tanks
What are the Environmental Permitting Regulations? (England only)
- Introduced in 2007 to consolidate water and waste management control by the EA so a single regime is in place
- Updates/revisions in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019
- 2 Appendices to these Regulations are relevant to NADC members – in that the requirements of the regulations changed on 1 Jan, 2020
- Sch 21 deals with discharges to surface waters
- Sch 22 deals with discharges to groundwaters
- The EA have set out a timetable for the control of discharges to surface and groundwater from small sewage treatment plants and septic tanks
What do the Regulations set out to do?
- Give a framework of registration and controls for such discharges that places responsibilities on the operators of small sewage treatment plants or septic tanks
- The focus is on discharges from small units where there is no active management of the wastewater activity – i.e. the operator simply allows it to cause local pollution
Previously most small (typically domestic) discharges were not subject to any control unless identified as causing pollution or nuisance – the Regulations now require the following:
- The property owner is responsible for the management of the system
- Apply for a permit from the EA unless the installation meets the “general binding rules”
- These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/permits-you-need-for-septic-tanks/general-binding-rules
- these apply to discharges which are domestic in nature (i.e. not trade waste), or
- are not causing a pollution – even if plant is operated correctly
- Existing EA permits can be viewed at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-water-discharge-consents
Summary of binding rules – different for discharges to surface water or groundwater
Surface Water
- Septic tanks must not discharge direct to surface water
- Therefore, a discharge must use a small treatment plant (meeting BS EN 12566)
- This plant must be maintained and operated (with records kept) in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
- This will include sludge removal, E&M maintenance and visual inspection of discharge to check for (adverse) impact
- Less than 5m3per day
- For new installations – will need Building Control approval
Ground Water
- Applies to Septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants
- Use a drainage field that complies with BS 6297:2007
- Do not discharge to a well or borehole
- Not in a groundwater protection zone (check with EA)
- Less than 2m3 per day
- For new installations – will need Building Control approval
Consequences/enforcement action
- Failure to follow the binding rules increases risk of enforcement action by EA
- Likely require upgrade of existing system – e.g. remove septic tank and replace with sewage treatment plant/connect to public sewer
- Would have to be declared on sale of property
- General requirement to tell potential buyers of property of sewage disposal arrangements and show records of compliance with “binding rules” – e.g. tanker receipts, routine maintenance carried out
- Loss of sale!
Opportunities for NADC members
- Septic tank/treatment plant operations and maintenance
- provide service (sludge removal, inspection and report on condition) – compliance with binding rules
- and repair of drainage fields, tanks, chambers etc.
- advice on operations and alternatives if problems identified (e.g. connect to public sewer)
- Build/install compliant systems
- Inspect and report for potential buyers – check infrastructure, report on records and compliance with “binding rules”.
Who can help?
The Environment Agency:Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506 (8am to 6pm, Mon to Fri)
Online: www.gov.uk/small-sewage-rules
Incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Supporting info from EA at: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water/reform-regulatory-system-small-sewage-discharges/results/your-sewage-your-environment-leaflet-july-2015.pdf
