Changes in Legislation

Septic Tanks and Treatment Plants: Permits and Exemptions

1. Overview

You must either apply for a permit or qualify for an exemption in England if your home has a:

• Septic tank
• Small Sewage Treatment System (known as a ‘treatment plant’ or ‘package plant’)
• The rules are different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

    2. Permits

You may need a permit for your septic tank or treatment plant if it:

• Discharges a large amount of effluent (treated sewage)
• Is in a ‘sensitive area’, e.g near a water supply
• Doesn’t qualify for an exemption

Don’t forget – You need to make sure you follow the conditions of your permit!

Check if your discharge is LARGE

You need a permit to discharge more than a certain amount. The amount depends on whether your septic tank or treatment plant discharges into ground or surface water, e.g. a river, stream or estuary.

Discharge into ground

You must apply for a permit if your septic tank or treatment plant discharges both:

• More than 2,000 litres (2 cubic metres) of effluent a day
• Into the ground through a drainage field, e.g. an ‘infiltration system’

How do I know what volume of effluent discharges from my property?

• Calculate using the Code of Practice Flows and Loads 4 – Sizing Criteria, treatment capacity for sewage treatment systems.

Example 

If you require assistance in sizing your treatment plant please do not hesitate to contact our office via email – info@envirocare.f2s.com or by telephone 01270 759755 / 01244 351771.

Discharge into Water

You must apply for a permit if your treatment plant discharges both:

• More than 5,000 litres (5 cubic metres) of effluent a day
• Into surface water, e.g. a river, stream or estuary

New Septic Tanks Cannot Discharge into Water!

Check if you are in a sensitive area

You must apply for a permit if your septic tank or treatment plant discharges into the ground through a drainage field, e.g. an ‘infiltration system’.

• In the protected area around a water supply (known as ‘source protection Zone 1) – check the groundwater map 
• Within 50 metres of a private water supply for drinking or food production, e.g. a well, spring or borehole (this doesn’t include water supplies that are used for watering crops)

You must also apply for a permit if your septic tank or treatment plant began

 discharging on or after 1 January 2015

• Into the ground within 50 metres of a special area of conservation, a special protection area, a Ramsar site or a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest
• Into the ground within an ancient woodland
• Into the water within 500 metres of a special area of conservation, a special protection area, a Ramsar site, a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, fresh water pearl mussel population, designated bathing water or shellfish protected water
• Into water within 200 metres of an aquatic local nature reserve
• Into water within 50 metres of a chalk river or aquatic local wildlife site

  3. Exemptions

You must follow the rules for maintaining and using your septic tank or treatment plant (‘general binding rules’) if you don’t need a permit.

You can no longer resister an exemption, but you must follow the general binding rules!

You need to check that it:

• Doesn’t pollute surface water (e.g. rivers and lakes) or groundwater
• Is maintained as instructed by the manufacturer – this includes having your septic tank regularly emptied (‘desludged’)
• Is only used for domestic sewage – this is typically waste from toilets, sinks and drains in a home or small business, e.g. nursing home, guest house or pub

You MUST apply for a permit if your septic tank or treatment plant doesn’t qualify for an exemption!

  4. Apply for a permit

Fill in the application form.

Follow the instructions on the form to pay your fee and send your application to the Environment Agency.

Envirocare Northwest can assist you with your application for a permit and provide the following information:

• The 12 digit grid reference for your septic tank or treatment plant and the point where it discharges
• To calculate the discharge from your septic tank or treatment plant
• To provide a suitable site plan – see an example site plan

Environment Agency:

How long it takes

You should get a decision on your application within 13 weeks.

You’ll be told if your application may take longer, e.g. because of planning issues.

Your application is refused

If your application is refused, you’ll be told:

• The reasons for refusal
• How you can appeal

If we can be of service PLEASE DO NOT hesitate to contact our Drainage Consultant for advice and assistance – 01270 759755 / 01244 351771