Septic tank question
Discussion
When I worked for a country architects firm in the 90's I was the go to guy to specify septic tank installations (sadly). As I recall there had to be a BS standard percolation test performed on site that would then, with calculations result in a linear dimension for the amount of perforated pipe (laid in a herringbone pattern) that was required to allow the (relatively clean) water coming out of the outflow side of the multi-chamber septic tank to drain in to the land.
This was installed on site and of course once covered up with soil there was very little indication of the presence of the system save for the access covers to the tank. I expect the majority of these things have no record of whats actually buried, particularly in terms of the irrigation pipe field and the design/calcs behind it.
A relative has a brick built septic tank serving her house, which must be ancient and I don't think she has any idea where the irrigation pipes are.
This was installed on site and of course once covered up with soil there was very little indication of the presence of the system save for the access covers to the tank. I expect the majority of these things have no record of whats actually buried, particularly in terms of the irrigation pipe field and the design/calcs behind it.
A relative has a brick built septic tank serving her house, which must be ancient and I don't think she has any idea where the irrigation pipes are.
CLX said:
mph said:
The rules have been in force for some years and in theory all non-compliant systems should have been changed. In practice the rules are only enforced when a property is sold.
How are they enforced?Alternatively the buyer will have to commit to renewing the system within a certain time frame as a condition of sale, which is a legal document.
I assume the environment agency enforce the rules but I didn't get that far.
Edited by mph on Thursday 18th April 17:23
CLX said:
How are they enforced?
Environment Agency - before the binding rules, you would typically get a notice to stop polluting with 7 day timescale. Very hard to resolve! The fines could be large - my business is heavily involved in this industry and if no action taken, fines could be £20k+ after 30 days etc. I personally managed resolving a job in Gloucester and the fines totalled over £35k because the home owner just ignored it (and then tried to claim on his insurance policy 4 months later - which was obviously declined as there was no insurable damage, just a design fault). The binding rules were a way to get the EA on a lead a little, and start rectifying the problems in a more structured way. You will normally get about 6 months to resolve nowadays before the fines start rolling in.
OutInTheShed said:
CLX said:
How are they enforced?
Bloke downstream has 'lawyers, guns and money' in my Brother's case!I think more commonly, mortgage conditions?
Or maybe water co pokes its nose in when account changes?
Mark V GTD said:
As I recall there had to be a BS standard percolation test performed on site that would then, with calculations result in a linear dimension for the amount of perforated pipe (laid in a herringbone pattern) that was required to allow the (relatively clean) water coming out of the outflow side of the multi-chamber septic tank to drain in to the land.
The relevant bits of the percolation testing and design methodology are reproduced in the Approved Documents to the Building Regulations Approved Document H2, paged 31-35. It'd not complicated.LINK
Equus said:
Mark V GTD said:
As I recall there had to be a BS standard percolation test performed on site that would then, with calculations result in a linear dimension for the amount of perforated pipe (laid in a herringbone pattern) that was required to allow the (relatively clean) water coming out of the outflow side of the multi-chamber septic tank to drain in to the land.
The relevant bits of the percolation testing and design methodology are reproduced in the Approved Documents to the Building Regulations Approved Document H2, pages 31-35. It's not complicated.LINK
Currently looking at properties in Wales and 99% of them have septic tanks and at least 75% of these are not the new water treatment systems. We have been told that, as long as the old tank conforms to current rules, it's fine to sell/buy with one. Although always a bit of a worry when someone says "it's been there decades and we have never had to do anything with it" - as if that is a good thing 
Edited by MarkL73 on Friday 19th April 14:29
Rough101 said:
Mammasaid said:
Not quite, you can still sell a house with a septic tank , if it conforms to the General Binding Rules.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-...
Yes, but from the description, it doesn’t comply with the rules.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-...
Equus said:
Mark V GTD said:
As I recall there had to be a BS standard percolation test performed on site that would then, with calculations result in a linear dimension for the amount of perforated pipe (laid in a herringbone pattern) that was required to allow the (relatively clean) water coming out of the outflow side of the multi-chamber septic tank to drain in to the land.
The relevant bits of the percolation testing and design methodology are reproduced in the Approved Documents to the Building Regulations Approved Document H2, paged 31-35. It'd not complicated.LINK
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