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  • Existing sewage discharge that was authorised by a CAR registration on 31 October 2025

Existing sewage discharge that was authorised by a CAR registration on 31 October 2025

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This activity applies to the discharge of sewage effluent to the water environment that was authorised by registration under Regulation 7 of The Water Environment (Controlled Activity) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 on the 31 October 2025 from:

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

The Water Environment (Controlled Activity) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 are also known as “CAR”.

Authorisation level

Registration

Standard conditions

If you had a CAR registration on 31 October 2025, your CAR registration will automatically become an EASR authorisation on 1 November 2025 without you needing to do anything.

Until the 1 March 2026 your EASR authorisation will have the same conditions as your CAR registration.  

On 1 March 2026 the standard conditions set out below will automatically apply and will replace your CAR conditions.  

If you carry out an activity under a registration authorisation, you must comply with the standard conditions. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.

  1. Prior to discharge, the sewage effluent must be treated to at least the standard described or subjected to at least the level of treatment described, in the authorisation granted for that particular discharge under Regulation 7 of The Water Environment (Controlled Activity) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and which was in force on the 31st October 2025.
  2. The treatment system and outfall pipe must be maintained so that they are fully functioning except during any period when maintenance work is being carried out.
  3. The discharge must not have a significant impact on any supply of water for human consumption that was in existence on the date of application for the authorisation.
  4. The discharge must not have a significant impact on the water environment as a result of:
    1. iridescence or sheen;
    2. discolouration;
    3. deposition of solids;
    4. increased foaming; or
    5. microbiological growth.

How to apply

You do not need to apply for this activity. If you had a CAR registration on 31 October 2025, your CAR registration will automatically become an EASR authorisation on 1 November 2025 without you needing to do anything.

Making a change to your registration

If you want to make a change to your registration, from 1 November 2025 you cannot apply for a variation for this activity under EASR. In most cases a surrender application will be required. You may need to apply for a new registration if a discharge is continuing.

To apply to surrender an existing registration that authorises this activity complete:

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