There are many advantages to living somewhere in the countryside. All this beautiful fresh air and invigorating walks through the fields. But there are other things to think about when you're considering moving to the countryside, and it's not necessarily something you'd like to dwell on for too long. Drainage. Nobody likes to talk about it, but everyone needs it! And drainage for rural properties is often very different from what you might be used to if you lived closer to the city. So, is it worth buying a house with its own sewer?
What are the main differences between living in a place with a private sewer and connecting to a mains sewer?
There are various types of private drainage (or autonomous) sewer systems https://xn-- 31-6kcaj7be8arjl.xn--p1ai/services/avtonomnaya-kanalizatsiya/. This is usually a reservoir, such as a septic tank or sewage treatment plant, that either exits into a local ditch, watercourse, or sewer system. If the property has a cesspool, it is basically a waste tank, so no pipeline will run through it. If your property is connected to a main drain, there will be a pipe that carries waste from your property to the nearest main drain. The main differences between a private drain and a connection to the main drain:
Finance
If you connect to a mains drain, you will pay for sewerage to your local water and sewer company. This can vary but is usually around £400 per annum. If you have your own sewer, such as a septic tank, it needs to be emptied regularly—usually annually. Again, the price for an empty tank can vary, but on average you're looking at £120-150. A pit latrine will need to be emptied more regularly than a septic tank and is therefore much more expensive to run, however there are relatively few pit latrines.
Your responsibilities
In a property connected to a mains sewer, once the pipe extends beyond your property, it becomes the responsibility of the water company you pay for. With a private sewer such as a septic tank, you are responsible for the entire drainage system, even if it is on someone else's land. Thus, if it needs to be updated or repaired, the cost will fall on you, and you may find that it can leave a significant hole in your bank balance. Rule number one? Do not buy a property with its own sewer unless you know exactly what condition it is in. The sewer home buyer survey will tell you everything you need to know and help protect you from any nasty surprises.
Legislation and rules
The world of private drainage is surrounded by various rules and regulations that you must follow if you own one. After all, a leaking septic tank or cesspool can lead to raw sewage entering the local environment, and no one wants that. So the rules are there to try to prevent pollution, or quickly nip it in the bud if it happens. Don't worry, here at the UKDP we've put together an easy-to-understand guide to septic tank regulations that you can download to find out how they can affect you.
There are some big differences between owning a property connected to a main drain and a property with private drainage such as a septic tank or pit latrine. But it shouldn't be stressful or confusing when the UKDP team is on your side. Send us a message here or call our friendly team on 0800 028 9903 or 01628 788600 to find out how we can help you if you are buying a property with private sewer.
