Drainage fields are important when it comes to discharging sewage into the ground. Existing regulations date back to 2015 and state that if you are replacing your old discharge or are installing a new discharge it must be via a drainage field conforming to BS 6297: 2007. If you can’t comply to the rules for example, if you do not have sufficient space to install a drainage field it will be necessary to gain a permit from the Environment Agency to discharge using an alternative method. Follow the link below to find out more information about drainage and waste disposal regulations.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drainage-and-waste-disposal-approved-document-h
What is a drainage field?
Drainage fields are an essential part of a septic tank system and are designed to spread partially treated effluent over a larger area. A septic tank must connect to a drainage field. You could not discharge water from a septic tank into the watercourse for the simple reason that it would be unsanitary. When wastewater is discharged into the drainage field the settled effluent will undergo further treatment and allow it to be dispersed safely into the ground. This means that the ground it will be built on must have a certain level of porosity to ensure it is suitable for drainage field installation.
The way drainage fields work is through a system of sub surface irrigation pipes and gravel which allows the effluent to percolate into the surrounding soil. Biological treatment takes place naturally in the aerated layers of soil.
Why do you need a drainage field?
The drainage field is necessary as it ensures that wastewater is safe when it is finally released into the soil. It is used to remove contaminants and impurities from the effluent that emerges from a septic tank before it reaches groundwater level. The wastewater will trickle down through the gravel so that bacteria will form on the gravel helping it to remove contaminants from the water prior to it entering the ground. Essentially, it allows further treatment of septic tank waste before it reaches the groundwater level. Check out our page here for more information about commercial drainage field installations in Yorkshire.
Do you need planning permission to install a drainage field?
Yes. Planning permission is usually required for the drain field unless it is a like for like replacement of an existing system.
How long does a drainage field installation take?
As you can imagine, installing a below ground pipe system isn’t a super quick job and of course size will also be a factor, as well as the soil quality, so if you are having a drainage field installed you should allow at least a week and maybe two. Be aware that necessary permits and health and safety measures also need to be considered.
How much does a drainage field installation cost?
Installation of a drainage field is a very specialised kind of groundwork involving percolation testing, binding rules and other checks. Costs will vary depending upon the size of drainage field but as a rule it will typically cost from £3,000 to more than £5,000.
Want to know more? Follow check out our drainage field installation page for further information or call us today on 01759 380646 to find out how we can help you. We can complete high quality drainage filed installations all over Yorkshire.