Sewage Treatment Solutions
Sewage Treatment Legislation
General Binding Rules exist in the UK to regulate sewage treatment systems. However, treated wastewater legislation is different in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Read more below.
Sewage Treatment Solutions
UK Sewage Treatment Legislation | 2020 Regulations
Overview
See below list of the regulation bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for Sewage Treatment Solutions.
Also included is a brief introduction to the 2020 changes to septic tank regulations in England and Wales.
Finally, we’re also introducing a new certified CPD training course for civil and building engineers, architects, specifiers, consultants, installers and builders.
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2020 Septic Tank Regulations
Sewage treatment legislation for both England and Wales changed back on January 1, 2020. Among those changes, it includes acts on septic tanks that discharge to surface water. They will require either an upgrade or a replacement with a sewage treatment plant. In fact, you will no longer be able to discharge the effluent directly to a watercourse. In the past, you could discharge sewage in two ways:
- Drainage field
Sewage is released through a network of pipes in the surrounding field, providing an additional form of treatment processes. This helps ensure that the effluent percolating does not cause pollution. Septic tanks discharging into a drainage field are not affected by the new 2020 septic tank regulations.
- Watercourse
The effluent flows through a pipe directly into a watercourse (lake, river, etc.) The new rules do affect this type of discharge as they state that direct discharge from a septic tank into a surface water will no longer be permitted. If the agencies above find out that you are currently polluting surface water as a result of a direct discharge from a wastewater treatment plant, you will be required to install new water systems within a year (on a case by case basis).
If you want to learn more about the new 2020 septic tank regulations and understand how they may affect you, download your free 2020 Septic Tank Regulation Handbook today!
Download 2020 eBook
UK Sewage Treatment Legislation: the Regulating Bodies
In each country, different agencies implement them:
- The Environment Agency (England) is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
- The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (Northern Ireland) is an Executive Agency within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
- The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Scotland) is a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government.
- Natural Resources Wales (Wales) is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, taking over the functions of the Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales and the Environment Agency in Wales, as well as certain Welsh Government functions.

These organisations’s primary purpose is to protect and enhance the UK’s environment. By doing so, they ensure that the UK’s natural resources are used as sustainably as possible. They also make sure that human health is not in danger.
Certified CPD Training Course
In order to help people better understand what is at stake here, we regularly hold certified course sessions about sewage treatment plants.
We cover the current sewage treatment legislation in place in England, Wales and Scotland. You also receive some tips and advice from our sales team to install correctly sewage treatment plants in order to be fully compliant with the British Standards and relevant environmental agencies.
Book your CPD course today
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll find below some of the most commonly asked questions regarding sewage treatment systems.
What certifications does Tricel wastewater treatment plant have?
Tricel’s wastewater treatment plants are certified according to EN12566-3. The tests were conducted by PIA, an independent company. In order to be installed in the UK, a treatment plant must meet the requirements of EN12566-3 series accredited by TC165 of the European Committee for Standardization. Testing includes structural strength, water tightness, durability, and treatment efficiency. The National Annex verifies their results.
Tricel's guarantees?
All Tricel products are made from GRP, which is a non-corrosive material by nature, ensuring its strength and longevity. All metals in the tank are stainless steel. Electrical and electro-mechanical equipment is guaranteed for a period of one year. Plant equipment and components are specifically designed or chosen to work effectively in the Tricel plant and when used correctly will provide a long lifespan. The guarantee begins on the date of purchase.
To comply with the new regulations, I need to replace my septic tank. What should I do? How should I proceed?
Please refer to the sections above and the homeowners’ responsibilities article.
You can also download our ebook.
Finally, our team is there to answer your questions, discuss your project, and do site visits.
Why Choose Tricel

Fast delivery
Fast delivery and rapid response to all our customers

Installers network
UK wide network of recommended installers for your peace of mind

Technical expertise
Unrivalled technical expertise by our sales team regarding wastewater treatment solutions
Get in touch
Tricel Environment UK
A trading brand of Dewey Waters Ltd.,
Tricel Weston, Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 9AN, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)1934 422 311