Septic tank Query

iceberg twice

Hello all,
Anybody any idea about the distance a septic tank should be placed away from a stream?
Its just I am thinking of buying a site without planning but it is ajacent to a stream running alongside the plot?

Thanks in advance.

churchtown2012

YOU WILL FIND ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ON THE '' EPA WEBSITE''

Gairdin nua

I am getting some building work done soon on the house and there is a septic tank in the garden about 20 metres from the dwelling. Installed in mid 90‘s, I suspect it was adequate and has not given any cause for concern. I have registered it but have not heard from the council and I am not in an area of immediate concern to water sources but I do have a bore well on the site, 15 metres from the tank. My dilemma is what to do with the tank as planning to landscape and do not want to be told to rip it up in a few years as the tank needs replacing. The builder has suggested to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ which is fine if they lie permanently. What are my options? The new legislation applies to new works and mine is covered by the existing regs.

BryanF

Gairdin nua wrote: »

I am getting some building work done soon on the house and there is a septic tank in the garden about 20 metres from the dwelling. Installed in mid 90‘s, I suspect it was adequate and has not given any cause for concern. I have registered it but have not heard from the council and I am not in an area of immediate concern to water sources but I do have a bore well on the site, 15 metres from the tank. My dilemma is what to do with the tank as planning to landscape and do not want to be told to rip it up in a few years as the tank needs replacing. The builder has suggested to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ which is fine if they lie permanently. What are my options? The new legislation applies to new works and mine is covered by the existing regs.

Get an engineer with EPA course qualifications to inspect and offer a site specific opinion on this.

RKQ

Any proposed relocation of the existing tank will require planning permission.
Is the well uphill of the tank?
IMO 15m is too close, I suggest you get your water tested before anything else - circa €85.

Gairdin nua

RKQ wrote: »

Any proposed relocation of the existing tank will require planning permission.
Is the well uphill of the tank?
IMO 15m is too close, I suggest you get your water tested before anything else - circa €85.

Fortunately it is uphill from the tank and I have had a water test done before this controversy re septic tanks blew up but it was for deciding what goes into the filter so not sure if they would have also tested for contaminants?

RKQ

Gairdin nua wrote: »

Fortunately it is uphill from the tank

That's positive at least the well is uphill.
It would be very worthwhile to check your water test results or give the Tester a ring for info.

Safe drinking water is your first priority, then examine the costs involved of testing the soil suitability and possibly installing a new tank or treatment system.

Best of luck

vinnie13

you wont be allowed put in a septic tank at all they are now dismissed,its now a treatment plant which is a much more enviornmently friendly.
it will differ from la to la as said but 15m is not to close it will depend on the plant installed.
what width have you from the stream op?
bord na mona have their own engineer its 500e and he comes out and makes decision on what is best suited to your site and is respected by councils.
a good civil engineer will be a great help.

sydthebeat

vinnie13 wrote: »

you wont be allowed put in a septic tank at all they are now dismissed,its now a treatment plant which is a much more enviornmently friendly.
it will differ from la to la as said but 15m is not to close it will depend on the plant installed.
what width have you from the stream op?
bord na mona have their own engineer its 500e and he comes out and makes decision on what is best suited to your site and is respected by councils.
a good civil engineer will be a great help.

Septic tanks are not "dismissed" at all.
Some local authorities have policies only to accept treatment systems, but the majority of local authorities still accept septic tanks, dependent on the percolation test results.

That being said, I wouldn't put one in my own site if i had a well on it.