A government response was published in October 2014. In January 2015, new rules were introduced see www.gov.uk/small-sewage-rules
There are controls to prevent pollution to groundwater and surface water (lakes, rivers and streams) from small sewage discharges from septic tanks or small sewage treatment plants. These have been updated from January 2015. This is part of a new approach to how small sewage discharges are regulated. There is new guidance on what you need to do if you have a septic tank or sewage treatment plant, or you are planning to install one.
A leafet Your sewage - Your environment is available to keep as a handy reference or share with others. (This is best printed in booklet form)
Small sewage discharges: A new approach to how we regulate these in England
Please see the outcomes and results of this consultation further down.
We proposed (a) a simpler regulatory framework for the whole of England, and (b) a further deregulatory measure to move to a more risk-based approach to permitting.
Our lives and livelihoods depend on a clean, healthy water environment. We are working to control and prevent pollution to protect people’s health and wellbeing, and the natural environment. This includes preventing contamination of drinking water supplies and pollution of the environment from septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants.
This consultation proposed a new approach to regulating domestic wastewater systems where the discharges are small for example systems serving individual or small groups of properties. Such discharges are known as small sewage discharges (SSDs). The aims of the proposals were, firstly to simplify existing regulation within less sensitive areas (which cover most of the country) by removing registration and record keeping requirements whilst keeping key requirements for preventing pollution, and secondly, to provide a more risk-based approach to permitting so that permits are only required in the most sensitive areas where a higher level of protection is needed.
The proposed approach would deliver the necessary controls to prevent pollution, protect public health, improve drinking water supplies and protect sensitive habitats, while:
Implementing the new approach would involve amendment of legislation: the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 which are made under the Pollution, Prevention and Control Act 1999.
Responses to this consultation will inform decisions on changes to the regulation of septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants.
The consultation is principally being conducted as an online survey. If you prefer, you can also respond by email to SSDs_Reform or by writing to us at the address below.
Defra, Water Quality Admin Team, Area 3E, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 2RJ
This consultation closed June 2014.
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