General Binding Rules | Mayglothling Waste

Am I compliant with the General Binding Rules?

The General Binding Rules (GBR) are now enforceable. This means septic tanks that discharge untreated sewage into any type of surface waterway, such as streams, rivers and lakes, are now non-compliant with the new legislation.

The aim of the legislation is to ensure we better protect our local rivers, 40% of which are polluted with sewage from outdated septic tanks. As a responsible waste management provider, we fully support the implementation of the General Binding Rules as they closely align with our ethos of reducing our impact on the environment.

It is important to start taking steps towards compliance right away. We want to help you check if your septic tank is compliant. If you’re unsure, we’ve devised a Quick GBR Compliance Checklist to help:

GBR Compliance Checklist

Septic tank owners

If your septic tank:

is regularly maintained
has up-to-date service records
isn’t within 10 metres of a watercourse or ditch

Then as long as you have a fully functioning drainage field or regular emptying service, your are most likely compliant. No further action is required.

If your septic tank:

isn’t regularly maintained
does not have up-to-date service records
is within 10 metres of a watercourse or ditch

There is a high possibility of non-compliance. We recommend an engineer visits your property to conduct a site audit, for a small fee. Alternatively, we can check your system’s compliance when we next service or empty your septic tank. Call us to book an appointment: 01544 230 364

Sewage treatment plant owners

If your sewage treatment plant is regularly maintained and you keep up-to-date service records, you are compliant and no further action is required. If your system is not regularly maintained and you don’t have up-to-date service records, we advise getting in touch for a site audit. Call today on 01544 230 364

My septic tank isn't compliant; what should I do?

It can be worrying to discover your system may not be compliant with the GBR, especially with the risk of fines looming large. The Environment Agency has advised it will begin performing routine catchment area checks in 2020, so it is important to start putting the necessary measures in place to replace or upgrade your septic tank.

At Mayglothling, our priority is to protect our planet, but also to make your life as simple as possible. We can help you ensure compliance with the General Binding Rules by:

Connecting your property to the mains sewer network (if possible)
Installing a drainage field to allow sewage to discharge organically into the ground
Replacing your septic tank with a small sewage treatment plant
Deploying a septic tank conversion unit that treats wastewater to the same standard as a sewage treatment plant. This will require a permit

Managing Waste Responsibly

At Mayglothling, we understand the negative impact of irresponsibly disposing of waste. We take responsibility to ensure all waste collected is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. We even have our own commercial Sewage Treatment Plant that turns waste into water fit for our rivers.

Environmental Ethos