What does ‘off mains’ sewage drainage mean?
Almost all UK properties are directly connected to a mains drainage sewer that removes their wastewater from toilets, sinks and dishwashers etc to the nearest main channel. Householders pay for this service through their water bill. However, around 5% of UK properties aren’t located near a main sewer line, so must have some form of private drainage system in place. This is usually a tank, which will either be:
A septic tank
A sewage treatment plant
A Cesspit
The first two options would then be discharged into a soakaway system or piped to local waterways.
What if you buy a property with off mains drainage?
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to make sure that property drainage systems do not cause pollution or environmental damage. There are strict regulations to comply with and it is very important to know about them because any pollution damage can result in fines or worse.
There will be no fee to pay for sewerage and water company because you are not connected to the mains sewer. It is important, however, that the tank is emptied about once a year. For Septic Tank Emptying Redditch, visit a site like BSA Environmental, suppliers of Septic Tank Emptying Redditch
For properties with a wastewater treatment plant, some of the services and inspections must be done about once a year as well. Cesspits, due to their standing nature must be emptied between 4-8 times every year.