Further Information Covering EPP2
Sewage Treatment Plant and Septic Tank Installation legislation guidance continued.
EPP2 is part of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR), a joint initiative between the Environment Agency, DEFRA, the Department for Energy and Climate Change and the Welsh Assembly Government.
EPP2 is part of a wider government programme of modernising and improving the many regulations that protect our environment and human health. It is designed to not only improve environmental safeguards, but to reduce administrative burdens and costs. Basically the Environment Agency accept that sewage treatment systems properly manufactured, installed and maintained, pose little or no threat to the environment. They are allowing you be exempt from Permit to Discharge as long as you meet certain criteria. This cuts out huge administrative time and expense.
The registration process is now entirely free of charge for EPP2 exemption applicants provided that the requirements of EPP2 to install tested and approved product are met, otherwise costs may be incurred for a Permit to Discharge.
Building Regulations require properties that are connected to an off-mains sewage treatment plant or septic tank to clearly display signage that detail the make and model of product installed.
EPP2 also requires property owners to possess a five-year record of maintenance and inspection - presentable for inspection on request. Properties that are either exempt or with permit will also be logged within the Environment Agencys own database, listed by address and twelve-figure map grid reference.
A property equipped with an EPP2 exempt plant would naturally attract a premium in the housing market as EPP2 becomes increasingly recognised as an environmental standard.
EPP2 also applies to properties that may be undergoing sewage treatment tank replacement or upgrade. Exemption must be obtained before discharge commences.
The following link is a downloadable pdf Giude to EPP2