I had a gentleman from APCO to look at it this afternoon. He suggested
the MANTAIR septic tank upgrade, which is basically an insert to an
existing tank that works by blowing air through the contents to obtain
aerobic decomposition. It's claimed to meet the EA requirements, costs in
region of £2.7k installed and so appears to be a net solution if it
works. Still might need to address the drainage though.

Any thoughts onthis?



You really need to address the overall problem. Whatever system you
choose will need building regulations approval and part of that will be
EA consent. That will mean the design and approval of an approverd
soakaway. Building control will not pass one without the other and that
will also require EA consent.

Eh? The current land drains have been there for ages. The only issue is
the dodgy and obviously illegal extension onto a partially blocked covered
ditch by the previous owner. If this is removed, as I intend to because I
like to be legal (and it's clearly not taking much - or indeed any - water
anyway), then the system is restored to what it was. So surely I
don't need building regulations and EA consent to upgrade an existing
system that has drained onto my own land for decades?


The fact that the system has been there for a long time and that you own the
land is not relevant. Anyone who pollutes the enviroment or allows it to be
polluted is breaching the law. Making any material changes to the system
does require EA and BR connsent.

Peter Crosland