Surface water into a foul water drain

mk_house_2020

Hi,
I am currently going though the house buying process and in the Property Information form under the question around does this property contravene building regulations the sellers answer is:

1st floor rear extension rain water goes into a foul water drainage. It either needed written consent from <Water Company> or a soakaway, <Water Company> never responded to request for content so has continued for 15 years. 

My question relates to I was to proceed with buying this property how would I resolve this issue so that I wouldn't have to mention it on the Property Information form when I come to sell? I believe the land type is clay so would a soak-away be a viable option? Could we install a rain water collector system to collect this rain water from the extension? Is surface water running into a foul water drain an issue anyway?

Thanks in advance

FinallyStoppedLurking

You'll need to dig below the clay to get the soakaway to work. Effectiveness will also be dependent on the height of the water table. I've never had much luck with soak aways. 

mk_house_2020

Do you know if a rain water harvesting system (or any other solution) would be a good alternative @FinallyStoppedLurking ?

greatcrested

For a soak away you or your contractor would need to dig test holes to do a percolation check

* that the water table is deep enough

* that the speed with which water dissipates from the hole is neither too fast nor too slow

https://www.southerntesting.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Info_Sheet-Borehole-Soakaways.pdf

FinallyStoppedLurking

mk_house_2020 said:

Do you know if a rain water harvesting system (or any other solution) would be a good alternative @FinallyStoppedLurking ?

We considered that as an option at my last house. You can either store above or below ground. Above ground is cheaper but you have the hassle of a tank. Below ground is more expensive and requires a pump. 

Lespaul1960

Rain Water from my property discharges into the foul sewer. The water company are fully aware and make a very small charge for this .

Rodders53

Most water bills are clear as to whether you are paying for 'surface water drainage' or not, and offer a reduction for having all surface water going to soakaways.  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/sewerage/paying-for-sewerage/

Rainwater harvesters need an overflow outfall when full - to a soakaway or other drainage system.  Some water companies charge extra for harvested water use in the sewerage charges (flushing toilets, washing machine use) as it's usually based on the clean (potable) water drawn from the mains by the dwelling.

Almost all rainwater harvesters require a pump - unless stored directly off a roof into a loft space where gravity could be used to feed toilets and suchlike.  Gutters aren't often above the loft space, though.

davidmcn

mk_house_2020 said:

My question relates to I was to proceed with buying this property how would I resolve this issue so that I wouldn't have to mention it on the Property Information form when I come to sell?

What's the risk (for you or a future owner)? It's long beyond the point at which building control can do anything about it, aren't the water company's powers similarly time-limited? Surely they just have to put up with all sorts of old installations which wouldn't pass today's regulations.

TheProfessional

Our surface water and foul go into the same pipe and we were told it's really really common here in the northwest with these old houses 

Davehrm

I am in the process of selling my house and have only just discovered that a roof drain has been diverted into my sewer not into the soakaway!  This has been in place for at least eight years (not installed by me)  Could the new owners legally demand I reconnect to soakaway?

davidmcn

Davehrm said:

I am in the process of selling my house and have only just discovered that a roof drain has been diverted into my sewer not into the soakaway!  This has been in place for at least eight years (not installed by me)  Could the new owners legally demand I reconnect to soakaway?

They can't make you do it, it would be up for negotiation, if they (a) notice and (b) care about it.