Katie Gray, a commercial property expert for PCB Solicitors, has advised residents across the county that the requirement to register domestic sewage discharges from septic tanks and shared sewage treatment plants has changed, as part of the implementation of a European Union directive.
She said: “The revised regulation applies to septic tanks with a discharge of more than two cubic metres a day – the equivalent of approximately nine people sharing a single property – so it could directly affect property developers, landlords, homeowners with shared sewerage facilities, and farmers across Telford.
“It is now the sole responsibility of the occupier to ensure their tank is fully registered with the relevant authorities, and under the new rules, this registration should already have been completed by January this year. However, we’re finding many people in the county haven’t even heard about the changes, let alone actually signed up with the Environment Agency.
“Registration of a septic tank can be done online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk, and is a fairly straightforward process. However if anyone would like further advice or clarification regarding the new regulations, they’re more than welcome to get in touch a member of our team.”
Although the Environment Agency does have the power to take steps against septic tank owners caught short by the rule change who have failed to comply with the registration process, official guidelines issued by the organisation outline that enforcement action will only be taken if the tank or sewage facility is likely to cause – or has already caused – contamination.
An additional review into smaller septic tanks – those with a capacity of less than two cubic metres – and whether they need to be registered in a similar fashion is currently being undertaken by the Environment Agency. Katie can be emailed at katie.gray@pcblaw.co.uk.
PCB Solicitors LLP is a modern partnership, with offices in Shrewsbury, Broseley, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Knighton, Ludlow, Telford, and Worcester. While they have origins back to 1860, the firm is forward-looking and offers a full range of legal advice for both individuals and businesses, including property, family advice and childcare matters, wills, trusts, probate and estate planning, accident and personal injury, litigation, criminal law and corporate and business law.
For further information about PCB Solicitors’ complete range of legal services, please contact the Shrewsbury Head office on 01743 248148 or visit the website www.pcblaw.co.uk.
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