Septic Tank Register Permit Discrimination

[bigjohnuk]

Hi Folks,

For those of you who have a Septic Tank will be required to register the location of the tank by the end of June 2012. (Wales)

Wales: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk...re/132391.aspx
England: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk...re/118753.aspx

Having looked into this so far I have found the following issues and must wonder if the goverment do think these things correctly.

1. The On-Line web form has to be the most unhelp form I have ever seen. a) NO Help to what each field on the form means. b) Unable to save the form and go back to it c) Form does NOT reflect the papaer form we had in the post.
2. The On-Line Chat help person is unable to answer your questions.

BUT the biggest issue we have with this register is that we are discriminated to have to obtain a permit at a cost of £125! 

Why: I live in one of three houses that share a large Septic Tank. The Environment Ageny are saying that becuase the total number of people are greater than 9 people we will have to buy a pemrit. This we feel is discrimination and unfair becuase IF we had a septic tank for EACH house which could put MORE water into the ground we would not have to get a Permit.

"if your septic tank discharges into a soakaway in the ground and the property or properties has less than 9 people in total living there" (No Charge but if more than 9 a Charge of £125)

I think someone in the goverment has got the calculation wrong and NOT considered the issues here. 

Anyone else in the same boat ?

[Eleanor]

You must be discharging quite a lot of water if you need a boat 
Only joking, Welcome to the Forum

[biff]

Hi Bigjohnuk,
             I think it is just a way of getting more money out of the public.We here in ireland are in the same boat.The goverment wants 100euros from every household but the Donegal people have organised protests and many people are saying they will not pay it.I for one will certainly not pay it.It is really the thin end of the wedge and more stupid charges will follow if we let them con us with this one.
 Their banker friends will have to think of another gag because this one will definatly not work.
                                                                                                    Biff
    Ohh,,and welcome to the forum.

[dhaslam]

It seems that the Irish registration charge is supposed  to be only €50  and  only needs to be renewed after five years.     The registration fee is supposed to pay for inspections but for that amount only a small percentage  would be inspected.   Hopefully only septic tanks in areas that have ground water pollution would be inspected.     A worse expense is having a sewage treatment system, expensive to run  and maintain and still have to be registered.   

http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Water/WaterServices/News/MainBody,28349,en.htm

[clivejo]

*scratches head*

Found this FAQ for NI, http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/index/faqs/water_management.htm, seems to imply that any septic tank (old or new) needs a discharge permit.  The linked document relating to charges doesn't half waffle on !!!  But the jist is that they want a reduced fee of £110 per year, full fee is only £865     Fecking good job I dont have a swimming pool!!

All discharges both to ground and water, from septic tanks and sewage treatment plants, either new or existing, will have to be registered with the Environment Agency under the new EPP2 regulations (6th April, 2010).  All septic tank discharges to watercourse will be refused. Only plants with the EN 12566-3 will be accepted for the 'exemption'.  So if your one of the luck ones to get inspected chances are your old tank will fail and you'll have to buy a brand new shiny one to comply with EN 12566-3.  Sounds like fun !!!  

For it to be all coming from the same EU directive, every region seems to have different ideas of how to implement it !!!  I certainly do feel discriminated against!

[clivejo]

Am I reading this correctly?

"Where the discharge consent is in relation to a river based fish farm, which involves the regular feeding of fish; - the volume factor is 1.0"

They are making a charge for fish poop?

[offthegridandy]

My good lady was at the Doctors yesterday and read in this months Country Life magazine an article on this registration issue.

According to the article the "minister" concerned has order the EA to back of on it's registration policy which is motivated apparently by a EU directive and money raising.

Has any one else heard more about it.  Our response will be to bin the form should it arrive.  I wonder if the're using data from water supply companies.  If you're on private water and sewage (like us) maybe they (EA) wont pick up your existence.

Any updates welcome.

Andy

[clivejo]

If its a permanent dwelling, with an address, I'm pretty sure they know about you!! 

[offthegridandy]

Clive I'm keeping my head down, they haven't written to me yet and besides I can't read can I.

Anon!!