Septic Tank Installation
Septic tank installation, replacements and upgrades across the entire south and east of England.
Certified contractors
Our team is fully certified and trained, using specialist equipment to install, replace, and service septic tanks.
50+ years experience
We leverage our years of industry expertise to help you save money and time on your project.
Free advice available
We’re happy to provide you with free advice and a free no-obligation quote - we’re here to help.Septic tank and soakaway installations
If a property is more than 30m away to connect to the public mains sewer network, then it needs a system in place to collect, treat, separate, and discharge wastewater.
For many homes, this is where septic tanks come in. These efficient underground systems collect the waste from your home, separate the solids from the liquids, treat the liquid effluent with natural bacteria, and discharge the treated effluent into a soakaway system to be filtered into the earth.
As of January 2020, septic tanks are no longer permitted to discharge directly into surface water such as streams and ditches. You either need a soakaway system for your septic tank, or you must replace your septic tank with an on-site sewage treatment plant to comply with the Environment Agency General Binding Rules.
As experts in drainage solutions, we can help you understand which system will work best for your property, as well as talk through septic tank installation costs and law changes.
We’re able to ensure a compliant septic tank and soakaway system installation thanks to our years of industry experience and our commitment to staying on top of regulation changes. Here’s what we do to ensure your septic tank installation meets local standards and UK laws:
- First, we look at the reason behind the septic tank installation enquiry, such as whether this is a new tank for a new property or a replacement. We’ll also need to know the size of any existing tank, as old tanks will need to be decommissioned or filled. We’ll also identify if there is a main sewer nearby. If so, a sewer connection is the best course of action, and we won’t install a tank at all.
- Next, we’ll visit your site. We’ll look for the last manhole before it enters the tank, which gives us the depth of the existing drainage system. We’ll also assess the site’s access for how large or small our plant can be for the job. The duration of the job could increase if we can only use smaller machinery.
- We’ll then look at the property’s size, as this will determine the size of the new septic tank, treatment plant, or pumping station, plus waste storage in case of a power outage or tank breakdown.
- Finally, we work out the best location for the tank, which is important so that the tanker which comes to collect the effluent has the correct access.
Why choose Premier Drainage Solutions?
By choosing to work with Premier Drainage Solutions, you’ll benefit from a team of fully certified professionals with over 50 years of industry experience. We are leaders in our field, which we prove time and time again in the way we conduct our work, the specialist equipment we use, and our commitment to outstanding customer service.
Our hardworking team has been installing septic tank systems across the south and east of rural England for years. By keeping up to date with legislation and regulatory changes, we’re able to ensure complete compliance in our work, from septic tank replacements and repairs to installing them from scratch.
Our expertise means we have an in-depth understanding of domestic and commercial sewage systems. This enables us to identify what your property needs based on the information you provide, or a site visit from our team. Leave it to us, and rest easy knowing that we’ll match your property with the best sewage system for the job.
Septic Tank FAQs
Is it still legal to install a septic tank?
Yes, it’s still legal to install a septic tank, provided the following applies:
- The property cannot be connected to the main sewer network (usually due to distance)
- The septic tank discharges into a drainage field or soakaway rather than into surface water such as rivers or streams, to comply with Environment Agency General Binding Rules
Do I need planning permission for a septic tank?
Installing a new septic tank on a property that doesn’t already have a septic tank will require planning permission. This is to ensure it’s installed in an appropriate location. You may also need approval from Building Regulations to ensure it meets Approved Document H standards.
If you are replacing an existing septic tank with a new tank of the same size or capacity in the exact same spot, it is highly unlikely you’ll need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. However, if you want the new tank in a different location, need to change its size, or its discharge method changes, you’ll need to apply for planning permission.
If you’re unsure how to go about your application, or whether you’ll need to apply at all, get in touch and we’ll work out what needs to be done.
Which is better, a plastic or concrete septic tank?
There is no definitive answer to whether plastic or concrete septic tanks are better, as each have their own benefits that make them suited for different situations.
Plastic septic tanks are lightweight, therefore easier and more affordable to deliver and manoeuvre. The material doesn’t rust, there are fewer structural joints, and installation is quick and simple when the conditions are right.
Concrete septic tanks are heavy-duty, which improves stability in some ground conditions. Their durable construction means they’re ideal when the system will be heavily used, as the material is less likely to deform and slight cracks can be easily repaired.
Speak to our team at Premier Drainage Solutions and we can work together to identify which septic tank material best suits your property’s needs.
Can you sell a house with a septic tank?
Yes, you can sell a house with a septic tank installed on the property, but you must disclose its existence in writing before sale completion. The septic tank must also comply with the latest General Binding Rules, last updated in January 2020.
“Very helpful and prompt with arrangements, nothing was too much for office staff, all the workers used were very polite, we were very impressed and would highly recommend this company.”
Jane Mace
Do you need assistance?
Find us
P4 Allen House Business Centre The Maltings, Station Road Sawbridgeworth Herts CM21 9JX
Google maps