Septic tank registration?

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Septic tank registration?
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crofter

Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 11 10:50 pm Post subject:

gil wrote:

I've not heard of this from anyone I know round here, and we all have septic tanks.

You were supposed to register your tank with SEPA so they can add it to their list of tanks to be inspected to ensure they are not causing pollution. Since you have missed the amnesty, it will now cost you 103 pounds to get it registered, and subsequent inspections may require further expenditure, if it is not working as it should.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18416

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 11 11:05 pm Post subject:
Wonderful.

Jb

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7761
Location: 91� N

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 11 11:25 pm Post subject:
So what do they do if you don't register?

crofter

Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 12:20 am Post subject:

JB wrote:

So what do they do if you don't register?

Nothing. I don't think there is enough resources to go out looking for unregistered tanks. I believe that if nobody complains and you do not intend to sell your property you can safely avoid paying the registration fee.

roobarb

Joined: 15 Apr 2008
Posts: 139
Location: Carmarthenshire

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 9:48 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the replies - certainly some food for thought.

I downloaded a document from the Environment Agency Website specifically on registering in Wales
https://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/132391.aspx

Click to download file

On the final page in the part titled "After you have registered" it states that you should:
- "Arrange for excess sludge to be regularly removed" - we've been in our current home for 3 years and never emptied it, and seems to be working fine. We've been told that they shouldn't need emptying very often if they're working correctly.

- "Make sure that the system is properly maintained in line with manufacturers instructions." - what instructions? We never were given any by the previous owners, and with many septic tanks as old as the hills how many householders have an instruction manuel?

- "keep all records (for example, maintenance receipts, tank emptying receipts, servicing records) relating to the system for at least five years" - that'll be a blank sheet of paper then!

I think we've come to the conclusion that unless we hear anything formally from the Environment Agency then we will ignore this. If they can't be bothered to inform people in the proper manner then they clearly aren't that serious about it.

crofter

Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 10:59 am Post subject:

roobarb wrote:

- "Arrange for excess sludge to be regularly removed" - we've been in our current home for 3 years and never emptied it, and seems to be working fine. We've been told that they shouldn't need emptying very often if they're working correctly.

- "Make sure that the system is properly maintained in line with manufacturers instructions." - what instructions? We never were given any by the previous owners, and with many septic tanks as old as the hills how many householders have an instruction manuel?

- "keep all records (for example, maintenance receipts, tank emptying receipts, servicing records) relating to the system for at least five years" - that'll be a blank sheet of paper then!

In Scotland, SEPA say that sludge should be removed annually, by a licensed waste company, and you need a paper trail to prove this has been done. Some of the "old as the hills" tanks may not comply with modern standards, although many will be OK.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18416

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 12:20 pm Post subject:

Quote:

"Arrange for excess sludge to be regularly removed"

As in regularly every century ?
And it's only excess sludge.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 12:25 pm Post subject:
Yes, the frequency will depend on the load and effectiveness of the tank. Being responsible for the effective operation and maintainance of a potentially polluting asset can be a pain...or an employment opportunity

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18416

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 12:27 pm Post subject:

Quote:

or an employment opportunity

For shovelling sh*t ?

Mine is an old brick-lined soakaway, which works very well.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 12:53 pm Post subject:
The position of Gong Farmer is a proud and historic one! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gong_farmer

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18416

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 2:04 pm Post subject:
'Specialised tankers'. That would include an ordinary muck spreader operating in reverse.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 2:14 pm Post subject:
Sort of. I think having tankers specialised for this task is probably for the best

Jb

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7761
Location: 91� N

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 3:52 pm Post subject:

Behemoth wrote:

Sort of. I think having tankers specialised for this task is probably for the best

yes you wouldn't want the dairy farm to have one tanker instead of two!

crofter

Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 7:29 pm Post subject:

gil wrote:

'Specialised tankers'.
That would include an ordinary muck spreader operating in reverse.

Only if your friendly local farmer has a waste transfer permit...

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 11 9:45 pm Post subject:

crofter wrote:

gil wrote:

'Specialised tankers'.
That would include an ordinary muck spreader operating in reverse.

Only if your friendly local farmer has a waste transfer permit...

Or he spreads it on your own land.

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