Can you put a soakaway under a drive?

As a general rule of thumb, if you’re able to install a soakaway for your driveway or roof rainwater then you should. You may be able to discharge the water into a sewer if no other alternative exists and you have permission from the water company who may charge a yearly fee.

Do I need permission for a soakaway?

Do I need planning permission for a soakaway? If you are installing a replacement Soakaway then you will generally not require planning permission. If you are installing a new foul Soakaway or drainage field you should at least inform your local planning office.

How deep should a soakaway be dug?

The depth depends upon the location – if it’s under the garden or patio etc. it only needs to be 1310mm deep, but if its under your driveway it should be 1510mm deep to allow for a little more top fill. If you don’t want to dig that deep, check out our shallow dig soakaway options.

How big does a sewage treatment plant soakaway need to be?

The minimum size a soakaway should be constructed to is 30m. Pipes should be laid on a 300mm layer of shingle or medium of up to 50mm. The trenches must be filled 50mm above perforated pipe and covered with a membrane and then filled in with soil.

Do soakaways block?

Can a soakaway get blocked? The main problem people experience with soakaways is that they can become blocked up with silt, leaves etc which have washed into the soakaway and can prevent the rain water being collected and percolated back into the soil.

Is there an alternative to a soakaway?

Septic tanks should be emptied once per year to avoid failure of the soakaway system. Package treatment plants are the modern alternative to septic tanks that produce a clear effluent suitable for discharge into a watercourse if one is available. The effluent is typically 20 times cleaner than that from a septic tank.

Can I build near a soakaway?

You cannot build a soakaway within the constraints of the regulations (i.e. at least 5 metres from a building or 2.5 metres from boundary etc.) A soakaway won’t work because the soil is clay-based or the water table is so high that water won’t drain away.

Can Sink waste go into a soakaway?

Quite apart from Buildings Regulations issues, if you’ve really got dishwasher, washing machine and kitchen sink all draining into a soakaway, you’ll probably find sooner rather than later that the output from the washing machine and dishwasher, combined with the output from the kitchen sink rapidly choke the soakaway.

Can you unblock a soakaway?

If you have a blocked soakaway there is no way it can be fixed except through complete replacement. This is due to the fact that most problems arising from blocked soakaways are a result of poor installation.

How big should I make a soakaway?

The most common size of soakaway for residential use is 1 Cubic Metre (1m³), as this is what most Local Authorities seem to specify. As a broad brush a Soakaway Size of 1m³ is sufficient to drain a roof area of approximately 50 square metres under normal conditions.

Do all septic tanks have soakaways?

The most significant change to the General Binding Rules, in this case, stated that all septic tanks must not drain to a soakaway but to a drainage field, or drainage fields, definitely not to a local ditch or watercourse.

Why do soakaways fail?

Damage to the dip pipes or baffle within a septic tank can cause a soakaway to become blocked. Failure or problems with your Septic Tank or Sewerage Treatment plant which allow untreated waste to enter the system. With a Septic Tank system, this is less problematic but will cause permanent damage in the long run.

What are the requirements to build a soakaway?

• Ensure soakaways can be sited at least 5 metres from any buildings. If you are close to boundaries you should discuss this with your neighbour. If you cannot meet these criteria stormwater can be disposed of via a storm drain. Foul or combined drains cannot be used. How to construct surface water soakaways?

How is a soakaway a sustainable drainage system?

A soakaway provides a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) which complies with this regulation. See more in Building regulations below. When you have drained the water from the ground you will need to direct it somewhere.

Where is the best place to put a soakaway?

You should locate the soakaway at a low point in the garden, so water runs down to it (water doesn’t like to flow uphill). The water table should never reach the soakaway at any time of the year so careful planning is required if you live in a low-level area near the water table.

Can a soakaway be dug out of clay?

However, Soakaways rarely work when dug out in heavy clay. Clay soils do not allow water to pass through. Instead, the water collects rather like a pond. Most gardens in London, Surrey, parts of Berkshire and surrounding counties are built on clay. Other options.