Septic Tank solicitor negligence

Regulations in force since January 2015 have banned the way septic tanks discharge waste and required homeowners to make their old systems compliant with the new rules.

 Many homeowners have been left out of pocket due to their professional advisers not being aware of these rules and the new requirements.

 If you have suffered a loss because of an issue with a septic tank, we can help. We are solicitors who specialise in professional negligence claims against conveyancing solicitors. If your case meets our criteria we may be able to offer you a “No-Win, No-Fee” agreement in order to pursue your claim.

In rural areas, septic tanks can be very common as property is not always connected to a mains sewer. Homeowners find septic tanks a relatively easy solution to the problem of dealing with waste water and sewage.

Historically, these types of small septic tanks discharged directly into a local watercourse, such as a river or stream.

However, the Government is keen to reduce the level of pollution from this source and has introduced new laws designed to control it.

Since 2015, homeowners have not been allowed to discharge from a septic tank into a watercourse, or to any other type of soakaway system, other than a drainage field. The reason for this is because such waste water is no longer considered clean enough to flow straight into local watercourses, or soakaway systems, without causing pollution.

The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2014 (the “Regulations”) came into force on 1 January 2015 and created General Binding Rules for septic tanks. Under the Regulations, anyone with a septic tank that discharged into a watercourse was required to have replaced or upgraded it by 1 January 2020, in order to make it compliant.

Systems can be made compliant by:

• Connecting to a public foul sewer; or
• Replacing the septic tank with a small sewage treatment plant; or
• Installing a drainage field (also known as an infiltration system) – a series of pipes with holes placed in trenches and arranged so that the waste water can trickle through the ground for further treatment; or
• In exceptional circumstances only, applying for a permit to allow discharge to surface water.

Although the laudable aims of the Regulations have been publicised and promoted by the Government, it appears that many solicitors and conveyancers were simply not aware of the new requirements.

For example, it is very important to know exactly what type of drainage system exists at a property, and what condition it is in, prior to completing a property purchase. The guidance on the General Binding Rules on the www.gov.uk website states:

“If you buy or sell a property with a septic tank that discharges directly into a watercourse you should agree with the buyer or seller who will be responsible for replacing or upgrading the treatment system. You should agree this as a condition of sale.”

If the above guidance is not followed, it can create problems for buyers. Solicitors and conveyancers that have not advised properly on these issues may be liable for the substantial costs incurred as a result. We are acting for numerous individuals in order to help them recover these types of losses.

If you have a similar problem, we may also be able to assist you. Contact us now to discuss your potential claim and to find out whether we can assist you. Please call us on 0800 158 3867 for further advice, or fill in the form below and one of our Solicitors will call you back at a convenient time.