The regulations
Three things that
govern your system
Private wastewater systems in England are covered by three separate regulatory frameworks. Here's what each one means in plain English.
Most Urgent
General Binding Rules
Updated by the Environment Agency in 2020. The key rule: septic tanks can no longer discharge to a watercourse. If yours does, you must upgrade to a treatment plant or redirect to a drainage field. There is no grace period — it has been a legal requirement since January 2020.
New Installations
Environment Agency Notification
Before installing or significantly modifying any septic tank or treatment plant, you must notify the Environment Agency. This isn't a planning application — it's a separate EA process. ClearFlow handles this on your behalf as standard. Missing it can invalidate your installation.
Property Sale
New & Replacement Work
Any new or replacement wastewater system requires Building Control approval under Part H of the Building Regulations. You'll need a completion certificate — without it, the installation is unverified and your solicitor will flag it when you come to sell. We manage the whole process.
What it means for you.
Are you affected?
Four signs you need to act to make your septic tank compliant.
Reason 1
Your property is near a stream, ditch, or drain
If there's a watercourse anywhere near your property, there's a reasonable chance your system discharges to it — even indirectly through a field drain. A site visit will confirm it either way.
Reason 2
Your system was installed before 2020
Older systems were often designed to discharge to a watercourse because that was standard practice at the time. It isn't anymore. If yours hasn't been assessed since 2020, it's worth checking.
Reason 3
You're buying or selling a rural property
Solicitors and surveyors now routinely flag private drainage during conveyancing. If it hasn't come up yet, it will. Addressing it proactively avoids delays and renegotiation at the worst possible time.
Reason 4
You've received a letter from the Environment Agency
An enforcement notice means you have a fixed deadline to act. Call us — we deal with EA compliance replacements regularly and know exactly what's required to resolve it within the timescale given.
How we handle it
We manage the
whole process
The compliance side of a wastewater installation — EA notifications, Building Control applications, completion certificates — is something most homeowners have never dealt with before. We do it on every single job.
When ClearFlow installs or replaces a system, you get a fully compliant installation with all the documentation your solicitor, Building Control, and the Environment Agency need. Nothing for you to chase.
EA notification — handled by us
We submit the Environment Agency notification before any groundworks start. Required for every new installation or significant modification.
Building Control application — handled by us
We submit the Part H application, manage any site inspections, and obtain your completion certificate. You don't have to contact the council.
Completion documentation — provided by us
At the end of every job you receive the Building Control completion certificate, EA notification confirmation, and installation documentation.
Everything your solicitor needs in one package.
EA enforcement notices — we can help
If you've received a notice, tell us the deadline date when you call. We'll plan the work to meet it and deal with the EA directly where needed.