If your property isn’t connected to the mains sewer, you’re legally responsible for how your wastewater is managed. The General Binding Rules (GBRs) set out by the Environment Agency are there to protect local rivers and groundwater from pollution and to make sure private systems like septic tanks and sewage treatment plants are running safely.

What the General Binding Rules mean

The General Binding Rules apply to small domestic sewage discharges across England. They set limits on how much can be discharged and what standards must be met to avoid pollution.

In simple terms, your system must:

• Handle domestic wastewater only (from toilets, sinks and washing facilities)
• Not cause pollution to groundwater or local rivers
• Be properly maintained and emptied by a registered waste carrier
• Stay within the volume limits — up to 2,000 litres per day to the ground, or 5,000 litres per day to surface water

It’s also important to know that since 2020, septic tanks that discharge directly into a watercourse (such as a stream or ditch) are no longer permitted. If yours still does, it must be upgraded or redirected to a drainage field or treatment plant.

(Source: GOV.UK – General Binding Rules)

Do the rules apply to you?

Almost certainly, yes. If your property uses a private system and isn’t connected to the mains, the General Binding Rules apply.

Systems installed, upgraded or moved after October 2023 must meet the latest design standards. Older systems should still meet the basic environmental requirements. If your system fails or causes pollution, the Environment Agency can require you to repair, replace or upgrade it.    If for example your system was installed in 2014, you would need to meet the General Binding Rules prior to 2015.

It’s always worth checking now rather than later — especially if you’re planning to sell your property, as compliance is something buyers’ solicitors increasingly request evidence of.

Why compliance matters

Beyond avoiding enforcement action, compliance protects local ecosystems and community health. Even small leaks or poorly maintained tanks can allow wastewater to seep into soil and streams, leading to long-term damage.

Our engineers regularly see issues that could have been prevented with routine maintenance — cracked lids, blocked outlets, or tanks that haven’t been desludged for years. Catching these early saves money, protects the environment, and keeps your property compliant.

We’re also proud to work with Our Rivers — a partnership helping homeowners upgrade old systems that don’t meet today’s standards. Through this initiative, eligible properties in certain catchment areas can receive a free or heavily subsidised system upgrade, helping reduce pollution and safeguard local waterways for the future.

How to stay compliant

• Check your system type and location – Is it a septic tank or treatment plant? Where does it discharge?
• Book regular maintenance – Tanks should be emptied and inspected at least once a year.
• Keep clear records – Service logs and waste transfer notes prove your system is being managed correctly.
• Upgrade if needed – Older systems discharging to watercourses will need replacing.
• Ask for advice – If you’re unsure, our team can carry out a compliance check and explain your options clearly.

How Binder can help

We’ve been supporting homeowners and businesses with wastewater management for decades. Our trained engineers provide servicing, tank emptying, maintenance, and full system replacements, ensuring everything we install and maintain meets current regulations.

If you’re not sure whether your septic tank or treatment plant complies with the General Binding Rules, our friendly team is happy to help. We’ll explain what’s needed in plain English with practical advice you can trust.

Get in touch with us to arrange a compliance check or learn more about the Our Rivers upgrade scheme.