Any estate agent operating in rural areas will be aware of the joys of septic tanks, cess pits and sewage treatment tanks – because discovering that they are not correctly sited, not properly maintained or have leakage issues can be a deal killer.

Many systems are properly maintained, others are old, rural and rusting. Now, says the law, it’s time they are rather more fragrant and efficient.

The General Binding Rules for small sewage discharges (SSDs) have been put in place to protect England’s surface water resources (e.g. rivers, streams etc.) from pollution caused by septic tanks and other small-scale sewage treatment plants.

Under the new regulations, it is no longer permissible to discharge low quality effluent from septic tanks directly into ditches, streams or other watercourses.

Instead, homeowners have the option of replacing or upgrading systems to incorporate a drainage field. This is also known as an infiltration system and means the effluent can seep into the ground instead for further treatment by soil bacteria.

The changing legislation cannot be ignored – the responsibility lies with owners to understand their private drainage system and any changes they need to make to comply.

Under the new Environment Agency General Binding Rules if you have a septic tank that discharges directly to a surface water (ditch, river, stream etc), you must replace or upgrade your septic tank treatment system to a full sewage treatment plant by 1 January 2020, or when you sell your property, if it is before this date.

Anyone who owns a property which is not connected to a mains drainage system, please ask yourself:

• Do you know the difference between a septic tank, cess pit and sewage treatment plant?
• If you own a septic tank, do you know where it discharges?

Michael Hewitt – Manager of PFK Estate Agency, Cockermouth.