Septic tank that discharges to start of a ditch so pools first before running off

[Bob-a-Job21]

Hi

I have a 1960's septic tank which I want to change to a sewage treatment plant and connect to the existing outlet to the watercourse which is a ditch the other side of my neighbours property.

The upgrade is to comply with the 2020 regs.

I need some input on what I can and can't do for the following reason:

The discharge point is into a ditch at the side of the road but the ditch starts at this point so it pools here in a large bit of waste land before it then trickles off down the ditch when there is enough water (run off from fields plus the discharge)

I understand discharges into standing/pooled water are not compliant with General Binding Regulations so I need to apply for a permit from the EA.

My concern is if I apply to the EA for a permit are they likely to say no and leave me with no discharge point? Anyone come across this specific issue?

I have found lots of info on ditches that run dry but very little on ditches that do not flow as its the start if the ditch.

I estimate the pooled area to be about 10m x 10m and it is filled with vegetation and trees in and around it. It does not smell and receives the discharge from my tank and one neighbour.

Thanks for any input.

 

[br jones]

Is the ditch permantly wet ?

 

[Bob-a-Job21]

To be honest I am not 100% sure if it’s always wet as it’s not well maintained so has a lot of leaves and sticks in it. I think it may dry in hot summer months.

 

[ARW]

If your putting in a treatment plant what comes out is very clear water with no smell
I believe you can also pipe it to a soak away? I could be wrong

 

[Muddy Boots]

I take it that you can’t dig a soak away. If you can that would be far cheaper than putting in a treatment plant and getting the EA involved.

 

[Bob-a-Job21]

Unfortunately no room for a soak away

 

[Bob-a-Job21]

I’m assuming by soak away you mean a large drainage field and not just a hole in the ground full of shingle.

 

[teslacoils]

EA / building regs are actually quite pragmatic. The understand that not everyone has space; that you can't expect someone to demolish their house etc. Draw a map, go speak to building regs and see what they think. Won't be as bad as you think - they would take a stp with less than ideal output position than old septic tank.

 

[br jones]

To be honest I am not 100% sure if it’s always wet as it’s not well maintained so has a lot of leaves and sticks in it. I think it may dry in hot summer months.

If the ditch drys then its illegal to pipe to it,you can have a treatment plant into a soakaway ,doesnt need to be as big as water is treated

 

[Bob-a-Job21]

Thanks for the input everyone. I will have to make contact with the EA and hope they can work with me to create a solution they can issue a permit for. My main concern is that once I stick my head above the parapet I am really stuffed if they say I have to use a drainage bed and I have no room for one. That only leaves having a cess pit with no outlet and emptying it very regularly which is massively inconvenient and will involve huge on going costs making the house virtually unsaleable in the future.

I will post the outcome here once I know what it is.... may take a while!!

 

[Kidds]

Building control can be very helpful, EA are particularly unhelpful.
I'd start with building control.

 

[chickens and wheat]

I'm getting a new treatment plant very soon,the installer came and dug test pits, then did a perculation test in the pits.
Result the soak away only needs to be half the size we expected, considerably cheaper due to less stone needed for one.
He was slightly concerned the perculation was too fast.in that case you have to wonder where the water is going.

 

[Bob-a-Job21]

Thanks 'chickens and wheat', we really don't have the option for anything more than maybe 2m x 10m for a soak away near the tank and that would be quite close to the house and right on next doors border so not sure that is allowed. Our actual garden area is uphill the opposite side of the house so would be a massive undertaking to get waste or the outlet from the STP up there if even possible and would involve digging up most of the drive and garden.

 

[Highland Mule]

Thanks 'chickens and wheat', we really don't have the option for anything more than maybe 2m x 10m for a soak away near the tank and that would be quite close to the house and right on next doors border so not sure that is allowed. Our actual garden area is uphill the opposite side of the house so would be a massive undertaking to get waste or the outlet from the STP up there if even possible and would involve digging up most of the drive and garden.

Don’t think mine is any bigger than that. I guess it depends on the soil type and percolation.

 

[DrWazzock]

Percolation tests in this area are fine in summer. Not so great when the water table is nearly at ground level in winter.