Homeowners Guide to Cesspits and Septic Tanks
When a household cannot connect to the main sewerage system, wastewater can be disposed of via a septic tank or cesspit.
Find out more about how they work and what using one means for your water usage, along with some tips on using and maintaining your septic tank or cesspit with as little fuss as possible.
If you have a septic tank or cesspit, you don’t need to pay sewerage charges to a water company or sewerage company, but a permit fee applies.
You are responsible for maintaining your septic tank or cesspit properly.
How do septic tanks work?
Septic tanks collect sewage and wastewater, separating it into different chambers within the tank. Solids settle and decompose, while liquids exit into the environment.
You need to make sure you meet the ‘general binding rules’ of owning a septic tank, or that you apply for a permit from the Environment Agency if you don’t meet these rules.
These rules state that the sewage must be domestic waste, and not cause pollution.
You’ll need to follow the rules depending on whether you release the sewage to the ground or to surface water—the official GOV.UK guidance on the general binding rules clarifies what constitutes domestic sewage and details how to check for pollution.
If your septic tank releases into a groundwater source protection zone (SPZ1), you will need a permit. Once again, consulting the official GOV.UK guidance can help you determine whether this applies to you.
Additionally, septic tank owners should pay close attention to a recent rule change, which took effect on January 1st, 2020. This change means that septic tanks are no longer permitted to discharge directly into a watercourse—instead, you will need to connect to the main sewer network, establish a drainage field, or convert your system into a full sewage treatment plant.
This rule has applied to newly created properties for a number of years, but as of January 1st 2020, it also applies to owners of existing septic tanks. If you get this wrong, you could face a fine of up to £100,000.
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have differing rules regarding how these updated regulations should register your tank.
Your septic tank should be emptied and checked annually by a qualified company to ensure the waste goes to a registered disposal site. Be sure to keep an auditable paper trail for your records.
How do cesspits work?
A cesspit is a sealed, fully enclosed tank that collects and stores sewerage—it doesn’t treat it in any way.
If you have a cesspit on your property, you don’t need to register it. However, if you plan to install a new one, you will need planning permission and building regulations approval.
When you have a cesspit, you must have it emptied regularly by a registered waste handler, who will dispose of the contents in a specialised waste disposal site. Depending on your household size and water usage, this could mean monthly, quarterly, or yearly emptying. You must ensure you employ a registered waste handler to do this and receive bona fide paperwork noting the disposal site.
Cesspits are usually buried underground, so they won’t take up room on your property—apart from one manhole, which is needed for access.
Rural locations need the right equipment to enable us to complete the works safely, at this location there was a weight restriction on the bridge so we had to work from the opposite side of the river to where the septic tank was located on a private estate
Septic tank water usage habits
How much water you use will determine whether you need a permit for your septic tank:
If your septic tank discharges more than two cubic metres (2,000 litres) per day to the ground or more than five cubic metres (5,000 litres) daily to surface water, you’ll need a permit.
There are two different permit prices: one for people who use five cubic metres (5,000 litres) or less per day and one for those who use more.
Use the government calculator here to determine whether your tank discharges this amount per day or, for commercial properties, use British Water’s ‘Flows and Loads’ guidance.
Cesspit water usage habits
You don’t need a permit for a cesspit and don’t have to comply with the general binding rules. However, you need to ensure it doesn’t leak or overflow – so the amount that goes into it is essential.
Tips: how to save water
Consider fitting water-saving devices such as dual flush toilets, water butts, tap flow regulators, and economical shower heads.
If you notice a leak or drip, get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid wasting water.
When it’s time to replace your washing machine or dishwasher, the Energy Saving Trust recommends you do so with products bearing the new ‘Water Efficient Product’ label and/or the ‘Waterwise Recommended Checkmark’. These products have been designed to help you save money, energy, and water.
Choose a shower over a bath; showering could save you water and money as long as you keep it to around five minutes. Alternatively, invest in a reduced-capacity bath.
Care and maintenance for your septic tank
At least once a month, check the area where you release water for signs of pollution and contact the Environment Agency if you spot any. The EA can and will prosecute when pollution incidents occur.
Use biologically friendly household cleaning products – don’t let commercial chemicals or bleach get into the tank.
Don’t let medicines get into the tank.
Have the septic tank emptied and cleaned regularly by a licensed company?
Care and maintenance for your cesspit
Check the tank's level regularly—letting it overfill is an offence under the 1936 Public Health Act.
Have the cesspit emptied regularly by a registered waste handler. Use biologically friendly household cleaning products—don’t let hazardous or flammable liquids get into the tank.
Don’t let medicines get into the tank.
Keep the area surrounding the maintenance hole clear for easy access.
Need help with septic tank or cesspit emptying?
At Lanes Drainage Services, we have the technology and equipment to provide a wide range of services, including septic tank and cesspit emptying.
Contact our team today to find out how we can deliver you a bespoke solution to any waste-emptying problem.
Tips: how to save water
- Consider fitting water-saving devises such as dual flush toilets, water butts, tap flow regulators, and economical shower heads.
- If you notice a leak or drip, get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid wasting water.
- When it’s time to replace your washing machine or dishwasher, the Energy Saving Trust recommends you do so with products baring the new ‘Water Efficient Product’ label and/or the ‘Waterwise Recommended Checkmark’. These products have been designed to help you to save money and energy, as well as water.
- Choose a shower over a bath; as long as you keep it to around five minutes, showering could save you water and money. Alternatively, invest in a reduced-capacity bath.
Don’t let access manholes become lost under vegetation. Make sure you know the location of your septic tank.
Care and maintenance for your septic tank or cesspit
Septic tanks
- At least once a month, check the area you are releasing water to for signs of pollution, and contact the Environment Agency if you spot any. The EA can and will prosecute when pollution incidents occur
- Use biologically-friendly household cleaning products – don’t let commercial chemicals or bleach get into the tank.
- Don’t let medicines get into the tank.
- Have the septic tank emptied and cleaned regularly by a licensed company.
Cesspits
- Check the level in the tank regularly – it is an offence under the 1936 Public Health Act to let it overfill.
- Have the cesspit emptied regularly by a registered waste handler. Use biologically-friendly household cleaning products – don’t let hazardous or flammable liquids get into the tank.
- Don’t let medicines get into the tank.
- Keep the area surrounding the manhole clear for easy access.