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  • Discharge to soakaway where the soil percolation value is less than or equal to 15 s/mm

Discharge to soakaway where the soil percolation value is less than or equal to 15 s/mm

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Activity description

The discharge of sewage from:

  1. less than or equal to 10 domestic properties; or
  2. non-domestic properties with a total 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

The set of Standard Conditions for this activity has the following reference EASR-SC-065.

  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:
    1. be directly into groundwater; or
    2. 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:
    1. 15 multiplied by the total number of domestic properties; or
    2. 3 multiplied by the total population equivalent of all the non-domestic properties; or
    3. 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:
    1. iridescence or sheen;
    2. discolouration;
    3. deposition of solids;
    4. increased foaming; or
    5. microbiological growth.

Interpretation of terms for Discharge to soakaway where the soil percolation value is less than or equal to 15 s/mm

A measure of how long it takes liquid to filter through the surrounding soil.

A catchment of a freshwater loch which is at risk of significant nutrient enrichment. These are the catchments of:

  • Loch Leven (Perth and Kinross Council).
  • Lunan Lochs (Perth and Kinross Council).
  • Loch Flemington (highland Council).

The maximum daily organic biodegradable sewage load. A population equivalent of one has a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 60 grams of oxygen per day, which is equivalent to one person in a domestic property.

A type of infiltration system for the treatment and dispersion of effluent into the ground.

Water that may be ingested by humans, used in the preparation of food or drink, or used in the cleaning of materials involved in the storage or consumption of food or drink.

 Includes a permeable underground collection tank.