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General Binding Rules For Septic Tanks

The general binding rules ensure septic tanks and wastewater treatment systems are designed, installed, operated and maintained, safely and legally. Updates to the rules mean some older and non-standard systems are non-compliant and they could be harming the environment and public health.

Operating a non-compliant septic tank and treatment system risks financial penalties and can make it difficult to sell your house.

Not sure what the UK’s septic tank regulations mean for you?
Get in touch for straightforward, sound advice.

What are the general binding rules for septic tanks?

Set by the UK government, the general binding rules apply to properties that are not connected to the mains sewer and operate a septic tank or small treatment plant. The rules outline the requirements for septic tank design, location, discharge, installation and maintenance and also cover selling your home and decommissioning the system.

The Key Components

Design, location and discharge limits

What you need to know

Septic tanks must meet specific standards, including the right size and location which must be away from sensitive areas like rivers, wells, conservation areas and other small sewerage discharge systems. There are also strict rules on how much wastewater can be discharged from your tank.

How we help

We offer consultancy services to assess your daily discharge, the location of other relevant water and waste sources and whether you’re in a protected groundwater source zone. We can then recommend the best location and treatment system, ensuring the design meets UK septic tank regulations.

Installation

What you need to know

You may require building regulations approval to install your new septic tank to make your property compliant with your septic tank or small treatment plant. Your new system may also need planning permission to install a new septic tank or small water treatment plant. Your system must be large enough to handle the maximum amount of sewage it will need to treat and it must also meet the relevant British Standard at the time it’s installed.

How we help

We can advise and help you with all of this by making sure your system meets the relevant sizing requirements, applying for planning permission and meeting and obtaining building regulations certification. We also only install products with a CE mark that proves it meets the right standards.

Maintenance

What you need to know

Regular maintenance, including inspections and any repairs, is essential and must be carried out if you suspect you have:

Leaks
Cracks in tank walls or pipes
Blocked pipes
Signs that the wastewater is not draining properly, like pools of water around the drainage point
Sewage smells
A failed motor
A failed pump
A failed electrical supply

How we help

We offer full maintenance and repair services to identify and fix the problem, so your system works optimally and remains safe and compliant.

Get help following the rules

The government website on the binding rules states you should get advice from a competent provider for help understanding:

What treatment system you have.
Where your treatment system discharges.
What you must do to meet the general binding rules.

That’s where Septic Tanks & Soakaways Ltd. comes in. We’ll provide clear guidance and recommendations with a fair price for the work, which will be delivered so your system is fully compliant and runs smoothly.

Call us today

Why choose us?

Enormous experience

Your project will benefit from the expertise we’ve built up on more than 800 wastewater and wastewater disposal projects. We’re as confident with modern technologies and current regulations as we are with old systems and drains.

Clear communication and fair pricing

We communicate clearly from start to finish. Because we value repeat customers and referrals, we’ll offer a repair rather than a replacement wherever possible. And we’ll always give you an honest price.

Experts in local authority regulations

Knowing the ins-and-outs of the North West’s local authorities means all our work is compliant. So we can tick all the boxes, avoid unnecessary hold-ups and get your building regs certification over the line without delay.