Building Reg rules with regards to old septic tank and soakaway

kwackerUK

Hello MSE peeps,

Not sure if anyone can provide some advice on the following issue I have.
We have noticed our old 2 chamber brick septic tank has started to back up. On our last empty, we had a look to see where the soakaway pipe leads and from what I can see, the soakaway is under our lawn.
Now I have had a local company visit who deal with water treatment plants and soakaways and the advice I have been given is to replace the soakaway with a new one. It was also mentioned that the existing septic tank is very old (25yr+) but in good condition and wont need replacing.
I have received a quote for a new drainage field which includes ground tests but it states building regs may be required to ascertain suitability of site, position and items quoted.
However, current building regs stat that you can't build a drainage field within 15m of any building. Our existing drainage field is within this limit. The area where the company said it would be installed is 5m from the building.
We don't have any other area on the property where we can install a drainage field outside the 15m rule.
So, should he have quoted at all knowing the new drainage field fails the 15m rule? Also, I noticed on a couple of websites state the following:

Installation, Replacement or Repairs to Septic Tanks

If the septic tank and soakaway was installed more than 15 years ago, then you do not need permission to replace or modify your septic tank or soakaway.

The Environmental Agency and UK Building Regulations class any work to update, repair or replace an existing septic tank or soakaway as a 'modification'.

However any work carried out by yourself or a contractor must be done responsibly, and must not pose a pollution risk to the surrounding environment or any water courses.

So when he said we would build our new drainage field within 15m of our house (same site as existing drainage field), is he saying this because our setup is more than 15years old?

Is anyone aware of this 15year rule?

Also, if a drainage field has a life span of 15years, how are people replacing them in small properties who don't have access to a ditch? Can building control give permission to replace a drainage field within 15m of my building?

We have looked into discharging into a ditch at the side of our house but this will mean installed a WTP. However, the ditch has no running water as it's a flood plain for the nearby river. The ditch leads to an outlet on the river but properties that back onto this ditch have built over it and some have filled it in.

Surly I don't have to install a cesspit!!!:mad:

Thanks all.
Regards

Furts

I am confused by so many aspects of your post. How do you know the pipes are blocked? Why not replace them yourself? Why are you considering tank repairs or replacement when you have been told this is tank is fine? The key word in the quote is "may". The quote has a let out clause and you should challenge this - why haven't you done this? Building Regs principles are they cannot be retrospective. Why haven't you raised the query with you local Building Regs department to seek guidance ... are some that spring immediately to mind.

With so many grey areas nobody can give a cast iron solid answer on this Forum. But reflect on my points, answer them one by one, then see what queries you are left with. You may then not be fogged by all this.