Septic tank Registration

Beanie13

Hi there

is there an online facility available to see if a vendor of a house has registered its septic tank??? this house is close to a stream and I cannot seem to find any details that show how far a septic tank needs to be from water....anyone know?


much appreciated

sydthebeat

Beanie13 wrote: »

Hi there

is there an online facility available to see if a vendor of a house has registered its septic tank??? this house is close to a stream and I cannot seem to find any details that show how far a septic tank needs to be from water....anyone know?


much appreciated

Depends when it was installed.

Pre 63 wouldn't have had any restrictions. There was regulation in 1976 and 1991. The most recent regulatIon was introduced 2010, based on guidance which existed from 2000.

Beanie13

thanks for that info....house was built in the 70's auctioneer told me.....do county council's have any info on these?? I have a complete lack of knowledge in this area!

sydthebeat

There was very little involved in applications 'back in the day' so I doubt the council would be of any help.

What's the purpose of the query?

Are you looking to buy?

Beanie13

yes looking around at the moment and conincidently both properties I am interested in were built in the 70's.

Auctioneer will have to seek info from vendor but in the meantime I thought there may be something available online.

eirator

I'm by a river as are several neighbours with new houses built in the last 4 and 7 years the older house has its septic tank aprox 25m from the river, but I don't really think the tank itself is much of an issue as its the leach lines that need to be routed so they don't pollute the river or stream.

One issue I know from experience that needs to be taken into account but might not be on any planning regulations is the possibility of a septic tank near a river flooding.

sydthebeat

Beanie13 wrote: »

yes looking around at the moment and conincidently both properties I am interested in were built in the 70's.

Auctioneer will have to seek info from vendor but in the meantime I thought there may be something available online.

Its standard for the vendor to provide a certificate of compliance with any sale. This is a certificate which will Cover all aspects of planning and building regulations at the time of construction.

Also, it is always advised that you get your own professional to prepare a pre purchase report which should highlight any issues such as these.

dudara

Moved to Construction & Planning

dudara

muffler

sydthebeat wrote: »

This is a certificate which will Cover all aspects of planning and building regulations at the time of construction

There was none of those pesky regs in the 70's

sydthebeat

muffler wrote: »

There was none of those pesky regs in the 70's

Oh the good ole days

Poor Uncle Tom

Beanie13 wrote: »

....this house is close to a stream and I cannot seem to find any details that show how far a septic tank needs to be from water....anyone know?

Beanie13 wrote: »

yes looking around at the moment and conincidently both properties I am interested in were built in the 70's.

If there was planning permission for the premises there is likely to be a reference to the SR6 1975

http://www.siteassessor.com/images/dl/2dea9184-9e18-102f-bc4a-a0da625daa40.pdf

Page 13 gives the separation distances, 10m from a stream, however this can vary because:

1. Local Authorities had their own variants to the regulations that they usually quoted on the planning conditions.
2. During the 1970's very few planning conditions were adhered to correctly, people opting to 'do their own thing' on the site, planning permission just being viewed as a license to build.

It may not be of much help but you would be best advised to get some good local architect/engineer/arch tech to have a look for you and advise on what they see or find. A few quid spent wisely now could save you thousands down the road.

Anyway, good luck.

Beanie13

thanks for advice

belcampprisoner

<SNIP>

Mod edit: Read the forum charter please.

245

The seller should be able to prove registration of the septic tank (they'll have got an acknowledgement of registration) and your solicitor should be insisting on it in any case.

In any event, registration of the tank doesn't prove that much as its only future inspection and its outcome that'll decide on whether the tank is compliant or not, and hence the owner's liability - its not the distance from the stream that's the issue as much as proof that the tank isn't polluting the stream. Its a tricky one to prove with older tanks as their design is unlikely to be documented and standards back in the day were more lax.