If the property has a Septic Tank discharging into any type of water course then unfortunately this unit would need to be replaced with a new package sewage treatment plant.
Septic Tanks discharging into a soak away or drainage field and contained within the property boundary do meet the general binding rules and are acceptable although it is worth checking the operation and get it signed off.
Sewage treatment plants that discharge straight into a flowing watercourse are ok and meet current regulations. You will still require to maintain this unit as per manufacturer’s guidelines as per current regulations.
Sewage treatment plants that discharge directly into a seasonal ditch are not permitted. To discharge your sewage treatment plant into a seasonal ditch you will be required to install a seasonal soak away. A seasonal ditch is one that doesn’t contain flowing water all year round.
A seasonal soak away is a short section of perforated outlet pipework installed prior to the ditch, during dry weather the treatment plant effluent will pass through this pipework into the ground allowing it to be filtered prior to entering the watercourse, when the weather changes it is assumed that the ditch will then contain rain/ground water as the natural water table rises, this may also prevent the seasonal soak away pipe from discharging into the ground and therefore it passes safely into the water filled ditch.
If you have no options to discharge your sewage treatment plant into a seasonal ditch, running stream or your ground fails a percolation test then we can offer an option of installing an above ground soak away filter bespoke to your property on your land.