Small sewage discharges registration postponed

Last Updated: 22 Aug 2011

The Environment Agency announced that it is suspending the registration of small sewage discharges in England pending a review to determine whether this is the most appropriate approach or whether there is room for further simplification.

The Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 were implemented with a view to implement the least burdensome control on small discharges possible. Deadlines for registration were originally set for 1 January 2012, but have now been postponed pending the review. During this time, the registration for small sewage discharges in England will not be pursued if:

• the discharge is to ground and of up to two cubic metres via a septic tank and infiltration system (soakaway) and is outside a Source Protection Zone 1. This is equivalent to about nine people in a single property
• the discharge is to surface water and of up to five cubic metres via a package sewage treatment plant. This is equivalent to about 31 people occupying a single property
• the sewage is only domestic
• the sewage system is maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions and a record of all maintenance is kept
• the discharge does not cause pollution to surface water or groundwater.

If the registration were to go ahead, operators will be given plenty of notice to take action, and there is no intention to charge for the registration itself.

The Welsh Government is not undertaking this review and the registration system will stay in place, with operators of a system that discharges to groundwater in Wales still required to register by 1 January 2012.