New Septic Tank Regulations

Regulations for sewage treatment plants, of which includes septic tanks, are vital for the continued health and safety of all those who own, work with or assess these works. Since 2000, there have been several new regulations put in place to ensure that the correct provisions are maintained with regards to septic tanks and treatment plants.

Considered first are those coming from the Drainage and Waste Disposal edition in 2002. Within this, it states that the sewage treatment plant has to be located more than 7 metres away from a property that is inhabited.

Another point is that the soak-away from the septic tank has to be 15 metres from a building and 10 metres from a watercourse. The point of discharge must also be 10 metres from the property and a chamber has to be in place before the soak-away as a result.

The reason why these kinds of regulations relating to soak-aways are enforced is because of the pollutants that can affect the groundwater in the nearby areas. This can run off and get into the rivers and lakes that can harm wildlife and get into the water system as a whole, including our drinking water. This must be avoided at all costs, so septic tank controls are inevitable and crucial to our local environment.

The types of buildings that the discharges must be a distance form have changed as legislation has itself evolved over the years. Permits are needed even if the building is secluded and all septic tanks may need to be have a registration by next year.

The simple fact is that the wastewater that is taken from the septic tank can cause great dangers to the surrounding landscape, as well as emit unpleasant smells. This health hazard is now being rectified by the new regulations that are in place. This affects discharges from homes that have a septic tank and are not linked to a public sewerage.

The Water Services Act of 2012 not only states that all septic tanks and water treatment installations must be registered but that they should be inspected within a given time frame too. A central system whereby registration can be easily achieved is being designed to make it a fast and straightforward process. This can be done via a website or through contacting the local water service.

Given the environmental implications that is only natural with wastewater treatment systems, tight regulations are always necessary. To keep the public, wildlife and surrounding landscape healthy is of the greatest priority.