Kingspan Klargester Supporting Homeowners Ahead of Septic Tank Regulation Change 2020
The news that homeowners will have to upgrade or replace any septic tanks which discharge directly into a water course from 1 January 2020 has caused quite a shockwave - as well as confusion - in the market.
The change is being applied under the General Binding Rules (and only in England) but it seems that awareness is far from widespread and the full ramifications are only now being understood.
Kingspan Water & Energy, the world-leading manufacturer of Klargester’s wastewater management range, is now providing one-to-one guidance and advice around compliance to homeowners, merchants, builders and groundworkers. Callers to a Kingspan hotline (tel. 0333 240 6868) will be taken through a detailed review process and anyone who is deemed to be in probable breach of the new regulations will be offered a free on-site assessment from a Kingspan Klargester expert.
“We don’t think the market has fully grasped this issue, and although we are starting to see enquiries coming through, we think the pressure is likely to build considerably in the coming months ahead of the regulations coming into force,” says Dave Vincent, Commercial Director for Kingspan Klargester.
“Clearly not everyone who owns a septic tank will need to take action; if they already have a drainage field which functions effectively, then they will be operating within the law. But if they have a septic tank that discharges directly into a ditch, stream, canal, river, surface water, or drain, then they either need to replace the tank with a sewage treatment plant, or create a drainage field that meets the current British Standard BS6297 2007. Of course, if they are near enough to connect to a mains sewer, then that would be the first choice.”
Dave adds, “This is not optional or a nice-to-have; homeowners won’t be able to sell their house after January 2020 if their septic tank is not compliant.”
Anyone with a query about their septic tank can go to www.kingspan.com/gb/en-gb/products/wastewater-management/septic-tank-regulations-2020-guide or call the Kingspan hotline on 0333 240 6868