Is approval required to install a small domestic wastewater (sewage) treatment plant?

Is approval required to install a small domestic wastewater (sewage) treatment plant?
England

General binding rules state that your small wastewater (sewage) treatment system must meet the relevant British Standard in force at the time of installation. The standards currently in force for new systems are BS EN 12566-3 for small wastewater (sewage) treatment plants.

Your small package wastewater (sewage) treatment plant meets the British Standard in place at the time of installation if: it has a CE mark; the manual or other documentation that came with your tank or treatment plant has a certificate of compliance with a British Standard; it’s on British Water’s list of approved equipment. You can also ask the company that installed your equipment to confirm that it complies with the British Standard that was in place at the time the equipment was installed.

DiamondAll of the plants within our domestic package sewage treatment range will be eligible to apply for an exemption as long as they do not exceed 5m3 per day to water course or 2m3 per day to a drainage filed. The EA will inform applicants if they are not eligible for a registration and therefore require a permit.

Scotland

If you have a small package wastewater (sewage) treatment plant on your property in Scotland, it must additionally be registered with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). This must be presented when a new property is being built or an existing property changes hands. For further information, please contact the Scottish Protection Agency.

Wales

If you have a small package wastewater (sewage) treatment plant on your property in Wales, it must additionally be registered with Natural Resources Wales. For further information, please contact Natural Resources Wales.

Ireland

For further information, please contact Ireland Environment Protection Agency.