Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018: ​Proposed Standard Conditions for Registration level activities

Closes 24 Nov 2024

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2.1.1.3. Discharge of sewage to soakaway: Activity A3

Activity description

The discharge of sewage from:

  1. less than or equal to 10 domestic properties;
     
  2. non-domestic properties with a population equivalent of less than or equal to 50; or
     
  3. a combination of both domestic and non-domestic properties with a total population equivalent of less than or equal to 50;

    to full soakaway where:
  1. the soil percolation value is less than or equal to 15 seconds per millimetre; and
     
  2. the soakaway is not within a phosphate sensitive catchment.

Standard conditions

  1. The sewage must be treated by a treatment system that is designed to meet a mean standard of no more than 5 milligrams of ammoniacal nitrogen (as nitrogen) per litre (mg/l) of sewage effluent.
     
  2. The treatment system must be maintained so that it is fully functioning except during any period when maintenance work is being carried out to the system.
     
  3. The discharge must not:

    (a) be directly into groundwater; or

    (b) have a significant impact on any supply of water for human consumption that was in existence on the date of application for this authorisation.
     
  4. The soakaway must have a minimum area in square metres (m2) of:

    (a) 15 multiplied by the total number of domestic properties; or

    (b) 3 multiplied by the total population equivalent of all the non-domestic properties; or

    (c)  3 multiplied by the total population equivalent where there is a discharge from a combination of both domestic and non-domestic properties.
     
  5. The soakaway must be located 50 metres or more from any spring, well or borehole that supplies water for human consumption that was in existence on the date of application for this authorisation.
     
  6. The discharge must not have a significant impact on the water environment as a result of:

    (a) iridescence or sheen;

    (b) discolouration;

    (c) deposition of solids;

    (d) increased foaming; or

    (e) microbiological growth.

Rationale

This activity applies to the discharge from a proposed treatment system or a treatment system that is less than or equal to two years old prior to the date of application. The aim of the activity description and standard conditions is to ensure that the treatment and soakaway system are designed to an appropriate standard, are maintained, and located in an area that does not cause harm to the environment.

The standard conditions are similar to those found in existing registration level water authorisations granted under CAR.

A Registration will not be granted if it is reasonably practical for the property to connect to the public foul sewer.

46. Do you agree with the list of standard conditions for Activity A3?