Septic Tank worries and confusion on new purchase

dbit

Hi ALL,

I am asking this on behalf of a work colleauge . They have recently purchased a new hosue and on the land there is an unregestered Septic Tank . The questions are around the certification and testing of this tank , what could be the worst case scenario if the tank fails the test ?

IS it just a case of getting a civil engineer to sign it off or do EPA send theyre own people to review , is there any advantage to emtying it jjust before the test ?. Would it be possible that the permission would be denied given the tank is there over 30 years ( House was built pre planning laws and the house also has no planning ) and if it is flagged as failure can they deny its placement altogether ?

One thing worth pointing out and the reason for all the questions is that the property has a steep rake angle (Sloping hill) the water well is on the higher part then the septic tank is on a lower part of the slant roughly 15 meters away and continuing down the slope there is a small river about an aditional 15 meters further down the slope. ( we suspect it might fail due to proxy).

Any advice and help greatly welcomed ?

BryanF

There are supposedly grants available but here's the clincher - in cork at least the council aren't doing much testing and a grant will only be offered if you fail a council test.

As for all your questions, get an engineer to check it out, they will err on the side of caution,more than likely tell you it doesn't comply and work with you to find a solution.

The real question is why did you buy a house/waste system where no planning was in place, did your solicitor not spot this?

dbit

The colleague i speak of would have to bell in here . I dont know why that has happened . I think it was the fact that the house and tank were built pre planning laws and requirements for same . I ll get her to create an account and jump on this thread.

HR

Hi, I am the one asking this question.

I don't own the house at the moment, but the contract is ready to sign. My Solicitor just pointed to this "issue".

Do you know what would be the worst scenario? Could it be that I ended up without a Septic Tank?

Regarding the planning : It's an old Farm House without any planning at the moment (built before 1963).

regarding the Grant : I know that I will not receive the grant at all (septic Tank is not registered since 2013)

BryanF

HR wrote: »

Hi, I am the one asking this question.

I don't own the house at the moment, but the contract is ready to sign. My Solicitor just pointed to this "issue".

Do you know what would be the worst scenario? Could it be that I ended up without a Septic Tank?

Regarding the planning : It's an old Farm House without any planning at the moment (built before 1963).

regarding the Grant : I know that I will not receive the grant at all (septic Tank is not registered since 2013)

IMO you should only purchase this 'site' on Receipt of planning permission.

Worst case, waste system can't be designed for to slope & proximity to stream, and your left with a site that you can't build on.

HR

Hi BryanF thanks for your reply,

just to clarify, the house already has an existing septic tank but it was never registered with the local council.

Do I need to get an engineer to verify that the tank is in working order. Could they the council insist that the septic tank be removed?
If yes would there be a possibility that a new tank may not be installed as the property is close to a small stream?

The house I'm looking to buy is nearly 100 years old.

Thank you

sydthebeat

HR wrote: »

Hi BryanF thanks for your reply,

just to clarify,

1. the house already has an existing septic tank but it was never registered with the local council.

2. Do I need to get an engineer to verify that the tank is in working order.

3. Could they the council insist that the septic tank be removed?

4. If yes would there be a possibility that a new tank may not be installed as the property is close to a small stream?

The house I'm looking to buy is nearly 100 years old.

Thank you

1. insist on registration prior to purchase as part of the conveyancing process.

2. that would be proper due diligence on your part, you could include it in your pre purchase structural survey

3. no, the tank is as was required when it was first installed. Yes, it woudl definitely be in need of an upgrade now, which would require planing permission, and you should budget accordingly.

4. in my experience, the council would prefer to see as best an upgrade as you can manage, given the topography constaints (generally a good mechanical treatment system with some kind of percolation area, probably raised mound)... versus leaving the tank as it is (which is probably single chamber with no percolation area)

HR

Hi sydthebeat,

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Mean's this is a question about budget "only"?

I will not ending up without a septic tank, is this correct?

sydthebeat

HR wrote: »

Hi sydthebeat,

Thanks a lot for your reply.

2. Mean's this is a question about budget "only"?

1. I will not ending up without a septic tank, is this correct?

1. correct.

2. if the tank is registered and then tested and shown to be failing by the council, then you will be legally required to upgrade it, with possible grant assistance.

also, if you apply for planning permission for anything such as an extension etc on the site, the tank will be required to be upgraded as part of any such application

HR

Hi sydthebeat,

Great, thanks a million for information.

It makes complete sense, fingers crossed everything will be ok.

Have a great day

dbit

sydthebeat wrote: »

1. insist on registration prior to purchase as part of the conveyancing process.

2. that would be proper due diligence on your part, you could include it in your pre purchase structural survey

3. no, the tank is as was required when it was first installed. Yes, it woudl definitely be in need of an upgrade now, which would require planing permission, and you should budget accordingly.

4. in my experience, the council would prefer to see as best an upgrade as you can manage, given the topography constaints (generally a good mechanical treatment system with some kind of percolation area, probably raised mound)... versus leaving the tank as it is (which is probably single chamber with no percolation area)

Awesome repsonse from Boardies as usual , cheers Lads.

hesker

Should you also insist on a percolation study and report from the seller.

Before installing a new system what if the percolation test fails. What if the required percolation cannot be achieved with any type of system. Where does this leave you?

Or is there a system available that can handle any eventuality - just a matter of cost.

Sorry, I don't have any answers but I think it's a question worth considering before you purchase.

I was involved in a purchase a while back that fell through because of similar conerns.

Maybe this is already covered in getting the engineer to "verify that the tank is in working order" but this might involve a bit more work than the usual visual survey.

Larry Bee

Hi there, the other party will be required to register the tank with the council or "protect our water" in advance of the sale.

You are not obliged to bring a septic tank up to 2015 standards but all owners of septic tanks are legally obliged to ensure they are working correctly, ie not causing harm to you, your neighbours or the environment.

I think it would be important to include the septic tank as part of a survey of the house you are interested in purchasing.

You will not be entitled to any grant if you failed an inspection, as the tank was not initially registered before the original closing date (think April 2012)

It really is a case of buyer beware, so just make sure you are aware of the consequences.