Mike wrote:

"Peter Crosland" wrote in message
...

Also, would I be right in thinking that detergents can have a negative
effect on a septic tank?

So, water from gutters, washing machine, bath/shower/sink should *not*
be run into it.

Instead gutters should run into a ditch;

They should run into a soakaway not a watercourse


Only for a new installation. Many old buildings have a ditch to collect
roof rainwater and lead it to the nearest stream.


Actually the ideal thing is to run it to anywhere it can get back into
the groundwater system uncontaminated.

Soakaways or ditches - makes little odds. Both are acceptable.