Septic tank/cesspit versus mains sewer

[Cloudhopper]

We've just had the first downpour here in Tendring and the sewer has backed up due to the totally inadequate pumping station and a new development covering another 6 acres with tarmac. All very predictable and the people we pay to take care of this are nowhere to be seen as usual.

So to settle this I'm planning to go back to a septic tank/cesspit and to bund the manhole for the sewer main (which is on my land) to stop foul water flooding my front garden and flowing into the water course.

So, can anyone tell me if this is a good idea or am I likely to regret it?
CH

 

[Norfolk Horn]

I'm sure new regulations require a sewage treatment plant if you are constructing a new system.

 

[CarlW]

We've just had the first downpour here in Tendring and the sewer has backed up due to the totally inadequate pumping station and a new development covering another 6 acres with tarmac. All very predictable and the people we pay to take care of this are nowhere to be seen as usual.

So to settle this I'm planning to go back to a septic tank/cesspit and to bund the manhole for the sewer main (which is on my land) to stop foul water flooding my front garden and flowing into the water course.

So, can anyone tell me if this is a good idea or am I likely to regret it?
CH

I wouldn't make it your problem. Insist the outfit responsible for the drains fixes it. That's what you pay for. If a water course is being contaminated, all the better: contact the environment agency and local environmental health team as well.

I don't have mains drains and feel like I spend quite a lot of time standing in sh1t-pits. I wish it was someone else's problem...

 

[Dunwaters]

If the water table is that high you’re going to have problems with a septic tank or bio cycle unit too. Your local authorities might not be keen to allow one close to a water course either.
I’d try to get the main sewer issue sorted first, if that doesn’t work check out the alternatives.

 

[John Gryphon]

Septics are good when maintained. Only a fortnight ago we had problems,yes right in the holiday period.
Thank **** my son in law was here to do the digging.

 

[kes]

Each and every leakage of foul sewage which pollutes both land and watercourses is a fine for your water authority. Your clean up costs should be paid by them. They will be required when taken to court to provide a plan to alleviate the problem immediately although to build it out may take time.
Contact first the Environment Agency - tell them of the frequency and severity of the leak. Then contact the water authority for your area and insist you seak to the area engineer responsible for sewage. then the MP for your area - a single letter copied to each will do very well withthe odd line of intro. Asy your MP what he can and will do about it as its both against the law and a severe health hazard. A new sewage treatment plant for your house will cost £7-8K and even then it will flood if it is at or below the level of the current sewer. Save the cost and get the pumping station fixed. Just keep bashing them with e-mails/letters but keep all correspondence. Start with a letter a week initially then judge how often but keep it regular. Anyone else affect - get them to sign this too/send them your outline to use as a basis for the same type of complaint. You will force change - best of luck. You could also chcek the Acts which are relevant and add a few quotes in a later letter Foul water flooding is an absolute no-no and will result in action.

 

[lochty]

Mains every time. Keep nagging them to fix it properly.

 

[CarlW]

Septics are good when maintained. Only a fortnight ago we had problems,yes right in the holiday period.
Thank **** my son in law was here to do the digging.

View attachment 189288

That is an all-too-familiar (and depressing) sight, John.

 

[John Gryphon]

That is an all-too-familiar (and depressing) sight, John.

When the SIL cut through the pipe with the hand saw and the blade turned custard yellow he stated to bark a bit lol

I did say "Gee mate I`m sorry but i have a busted foot otherwise I would be doing it ha ha"

 

[muddy42]

I'm sure new regulations require a sewage treatment plant if you are constructing a new system.

and I think you now have to declare septic tanks if you sell your house and of course then if they do not meet regulations it can affect the property sale. Old septic tanks seem to work brilliantly if you are on a hill (!) but they are rubbish otherwise.

 

[dartmoordog]

I am pretty sure you have no choice but to be on the mains, if your property is a certain distance from a main sewer, I think it is 50 meters, you will not get consent from the EA to have a septic tank.

You mentioned that foul sewage is entering a watercourse, that’s your bingo moment mate! Take photos, keep a diary and contact the Environment Agency on 0800 807060, 24 hour line, they HAVE to attend and HAVE to report back to you, and the water company HAVE to sort the issue out AND clean up. Every time the EA turn out to a pollution report and find a discharge to a water course, they do a cost recover to the polluter, and that ain’t cheep. Don’t forget “The Polluter Pays”

Have a walk of the watercourse and take pictures of any dead fish, do not bag up the fish, the EA will do that for evidence.

DONT take no for an answer, once the call to the EA has been made, it is put onto a National Reporting System, this cannot be closed until the issue is resolved. But in all fairness, the EA NEED you to report it via the above number, once they get their teeth into it, they very rarely let go.

PM me if you wish, I know a little bit about this mate.

Cheers.

Mike

 

[Long drag]

If you are determined to go ahead with th Septic tank, it will only work if you have a large garden min 1 Acre, if you have this then all waste water can be pumped underground through pipes that will allow the water to enter the ground at different points. All other waste will enter the tank.
But I dont believe you will get permission to install a Septic tank, because you have mains sewerage.

 

[Fair Hill]

Here's an idea to save a few bob if you do go off mains....

Farmer comes clean on his DIY septic tank – a buried Cortina

Date Published: 15-Feb-2012 By Declan Tierney A Connemara householder is being driven to distraction over the ‘do it yourself’ septic tank that he installed in his home several years ago. Local politicians’ jaws dropped when they were told by the farmer from South Connemara that his ‘septic...

connachttribune.ie

 

[Grannysmith]

Mains mains mains

 

[Cloudhopper]

Mains it is then gents!
Thanks for all your replies.
CH

 

[User00035]

and I think you now have to declare septic tanks if you sell your house and of course then if they do not meet regulations it can affect the property sale. Old septic tanks seem to work brilliantly if you are on a hill (!) but they are rubbish otherwise.

There were rumours the government had plans to force all septic tank owners to replace them with treatment plants at their own expense. What with all the grief the economy's been through with covid they've backed off a bit as they're scared stiff of crashing the housing market, but it will happen before long. I wouldn't install a new septic tank, you're likely to end up taking it out again in the not too distant future.

Also, I'm in the process of putting the family home on the market and every estate agent who's been to value the place has breathed a sigh of relief when they've seen the the green pump box for the treatment plant. They know what's coming and septic tanks are hitting valuations.

 

[AGR]

Here's an idea to save a few bob if you do go off mains....

Farmer comes clean on his DIY septic tank – a buried Cortina

Date Published: 15-Feb-2012 By Declan Tierney A Connemara householder is being driven to distraction over the ‘do it yourself’ septic tank that he installed in his home several years ago. Local politicians’ jaws dropped when they were told by the farmer from South Connemara that his ‘septic...

connachttribune.ie

My cortina was **** too.

 

[AGR]

Thanks Cloudhopper and everyone else who has posted on this. I am in the process of buying a house with a shared septic tank and with so much else going on, hadn't really given it a thought. Mind you, finding another house......

 

[teyhan1]

I did post a bout this a few weeks ago.

General Binding Rules

Fact is that if you are within 70m of a main drain that you would have to have some really good reason for not HAVING to connect to it.
I have done more reading in this than I care to admit.
if you have a septic tank (old style) then you have a 90% + chance that it’s going to have to be replaced before you sell your house or drop £10-15k off the price of your house.

I’ve already started the 1st part. Replacing the old clay drain.

 

[oowee]

I did post a bout this a few weeks ago.

General Binding Rules

Fact is that if you are within 70m of a main drain that you would have to have some really good reason for not HAVING to connect to it.
I have done more reading in this than I care to admit.
if you have a septic tank (old style) then you have a 90% + chance that it’s going to have to be replaced before you sell your house or drop £10-15k off the price of your house.

I’ve already started the 1st part. Replacing the old clay drain.

Unless you applied for and have a licence for lawful discharge from the EA based upon an existing system.