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Surface Water Drainage
The preferred option for the discharge of surface water run off from a development is into the ground within the site boundaries by means of soakaways. This will apply to roof water and run-off from any other impermeable surfaces within the development. The applicant will therefore need to ascertain by means of a percolation test whether ground conditions are suitable.
Should the use of soakaways not be practicable, discharge may be to a drain or and adjacent watercourse. In this case you will be asked to prepare a scheme encompassing sustainable principles in accordance with Part H of the Building Regulations and arrangements for their ongoing maintenance. This scheme is likely to incorporate on-site storage with an attenuated discharge and/or the retention of run-off on site for re-use
If you have any queries please call 01799 510521 and speak to the Council’s Engineer.
Sewerage
The Options:
The preferred method of disposal for sewerage from any development is to mains drainage. The options in decreasing order of preference as set out in DETR Circular 03/99 are:
If you have made a planning application indicating that disposal is to be other than to the mains you will be asked to explain why.
Mains drainage:
Public sewers are the mains drains, owned and maintained by the water companies, either Anglian Water or Thames Water depending on where in the Uttlesford district you live. They exist in the towns and most of the larger villages around district. Connection to the public sewer may be by way of a private drain or sewer for which the householder, alone or jointly with others, will be responsible.
Where there is a main sewer within 30m the Building Regulations require a new development to be connected to it. There may be cases where the benefits of mains drainage make it the best option over greater distances.
If you are proposing to use mains drainage you may be asked to obtain confirmation from the water company that their system has the capacity to cope with the additional flows.
Package Treatment Plant:
Package plants are self-contained units, usually located underground, which can treat sewage from a single property or a group. They need an electrical supply and discharge treated effluent into a suitable watercourse or into the ground. They are often known as ‘Klargesters’, the name of one manufacturer.
These plants are low maintenance and produce high quality effluent. They do rely on having an available watercourse or ground conditions that allow the effluent to soak away.
Septic Tank:
A septic tank is an underground tank in which bacteria in the sewage break down the organic waste. The sludge left settles to the bottom of the tank and must be regularly pumped out and removed by tanker. The purified effluent is drained into the ground through weeper drains.
A septic tank is a relatively high maintenance option and needs ground with good soakage qualities to operate effectively. An existing, old septic tank may not have the capacity to deal with the increased flows from additional bathrooms, etc. The householder is responsible for any pollution resulting from a poorly performing septic tank.
Cesspit:
A cesspit is a sealed tank in which untreated sewage is held. It will need emptying by tanker every time it is filled which can be as often as once a week.
Foul Drainage Assessment:
Should your proposal involve non-mains drainage, either a new system or connection to an existing, you will need to complete and submit one copy of Foul Drainage Assessment Form (FDA1) with your application. It is important that you provide full and accurate information. Failure to do so will delay the processing of your application.
If you have any queries please call 01799 510521 and speak to the Council’s Engineer.
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