Septic Tank Problem

Jacquelyn6229

We live in a semi which is 120 years old. We share a septic tank with our next door neighbours which runs int a soakaway and (we believe) feather drains on what was agricultural land adjacent to our homes. This worked well until last year when a massive housing development began on the agricultural land adjacent to our homes, compacting the earth where we think the feather drains are. We are now having to empty the tank more frequently and the smell is not good! We have approached the developer and the local council without much joy as there are no drainage maps from 120 years ago to prove our point. Severn Trent are willing to inspect to see if we qualify for connection to the mains under the S101A process but say it could take up to 5 years. Can anyone offer advice please? I don't understand why the building company can't just connect us up to the mains as part of the housing development or am I using too much common sense here?!

QrizB

Jacquelyn6229 said:

We live in a semi which is 120 years old. We share a septic tank with our next door neighbours which runs int a soakaway and (we believe) feather drains on what was agricultural land adjacent to our homes. This worked well until last year when a massive housing development began on the agricultural land adjacent to our homes, compacting the earth where we think the feather drains are. We are now having to empty the tank more frequently and the smell is not good! We have approached the developer and the local council without much joy as there are no drainage maps from 120 years ago to prove our point.

Is there anything on your deeds to say if these feather drains exist, and establishing any rights for you or your neighbours? If not, you've got no leverage over the building company.

Jacquelyn6229 said:

I don't understand why the building company can't just connect us up to the mains as part of the housing development or am I using too much common sense here?!

Why do you think the building company would shell out a four-figure sum to connect you to mains drainage without any legal obligation to do so?