Sewage Treatment Plant Surveys
A sewage treatment plant is designed to produce an improved
effluent quality compared to a septic tank. If you are looking to
purchase a property with a sewage treatment plant it is important that
the system is functioning correctly. That it has been maintained and
discharges correctly. Either to a field drain system or water course.
The most common type of survey we offer is a visual septic tank inspection and assessment survey with a full report and any recommendations if the system is not compliant with the current regulations.
Normally a sewage treatment plant system will be comopliant as these
systems are generally well manufactured and should meet all current
regulations. We can also undertake an electrical test on the power
system to the plant, if required.
Septic tank surveys are commonly used during the process of buying and selling a property. In January 2020, new regulations came into force regarding the suitability of any septic tank system. It is important that your septic tank and soakaway are compliant and meet the current General Binding Rules.
Our survey will include:
- A written pre-purchase septic tank inspection or cesspit and soakaway survey
- A layout plan of the system.
- A zone protection check in case of any local drinking water abstraction.
- Suitable photographic details.
- In the event of non-compliance, an advice survey for a possible new drainage scheme, a new septic tank/treatment plant or alterations to a building.
- Costings
of upgrading your septic tank, cesspit
or cesspool.
New 2020 Septic Tank Regulations
Environmental Permitting Regulations 2014 came into force on 1 January 2015 and created General Binding Rules (GBRs) for septic tanks or small sewage treatment plants for domestic use. These rules are designed to reduce the level of pollution from sewage in the nation’s watercourses.
Under the new General Binding Rules, if you have a septic tank that discharges directly to surface water, i.e., a water ditch, stream,river, etc, this should have been upgraded to a full sewage treatment plant system by 1 January 2020. In reality, there are many systems that have not been improved, therefore it is vital that you ensure the tank on the property you are purchasing meets all the current regulations.
Further information on the new regulations can be found on the Government website.
In addition, you may want to review the Government’s permits and general rules for Septic Tanks and Sewage Treatment Plants.
With over 35 years’ experience of working with septic tanks and cesspits, surveys will be provided in a comprehensive but easy to understand format. Many septic tanks and cesspits are old. However, this does not mean they are not compliant. We will offer a true professional report on the system we are surveying.
