Septic Tanks

New Government legislation has come into force which requires all owners of septic tanks to register them with the Environment Agency before the end of the year.  If you do not do this, you could be fined up to £20,000. In addition, you will be required to have a maintenance plan for the operation and maintenance of your septic tank.  Records demonstrating compliance with the maintenance requirements must be made and be legible; and retained for at least 5 years from the date when the records were made. You should pass on any records to the new occupier if you move house. You should also ensure that you receive a duty of care transfer note from the sludge removal contractor, which describes the quantity of the material removed and details of the person receiving the waste. Ensure that from 28 September 2011 a declaration is signed on the transfer note to indicate that the waste management hierarchy of options has been applied. You should keep these notes for your records. You are advised to have your septic tank emptied twice per year!

Strangely, the Environment Agency have no plans to inform the public about this new legislation although they have told me that "it is not necessarily the case" that you could be fined.

Furthermore, since my enquiry to them, they have changed their website so that in some places it says you should register by the end of the year and in other places it says there is currently no need to register!

I am left very confused but think it may be wise to register now, particularly as registration is currently free.

If you wish to do this, you can register on their website by clicking here, then clicking on "Septic Tanks" in the "Home and Leisure" section and following the appropriate links.