What can go wrong with a septic tank
If you are the owner of the septic tank then you are responsible for its safe and effective operation. Problems can occur with septic tanks and they can be described as:
1. Problems with the operation of the septic tank.
Make sure you know how best to look after your septic tank, including What shouldn’t go into a septic tank and Maintaining your septic tank.
Your tank should be able to deal with the quantity of sewage and waste water you produce. It should treat it, and produce a discharge that doesn’t smell or flood the ground. The discharge should not cause problems by polluting watercourses. If it fails to operate correctly, then you should contact a drainage specialist or plumber who can remedy the problems.
2. Problems that affect nearby watercourses and groundwater
If your septic tank is discharging effluent that is polluting nearby streams, or is polluting groundwater, then this is a matter for your environmental regulator, either the NIEA or SEPA. They may require you to carry out work that will prevent pollution of the water environment.
3. Problems that affect your neighbours
If your septic tank:
- produces a foul smell that causes offence to your neighbours
- discharges to a soakaway that is ineffective and creates damp ground with an offensive odour that affects your neighbour’s property
- affects a water supply on your neighbour’s property
then your neighbours can contact the environmental health department of your local council. Your council can use laws designed to deal with nuisances, and can require you to carry out works to stop the nuisance and to prevent it happening again.
The correct installation and correct management of the tank should prevent these types of issues arising.
- If a septic tank can't be installed on your site
- Septic tank legislation
- SEPA: The Septic Tanks Guide
Further information
Scotland: Where does my sewage go? fact sheet