Regulations for septic tanks

In our previous posts we have already covered issues related to septic tanks such as their installation, types of septic tanks, or the guide to request an urban wastewater discharge point authorization.

In this post we will focus on the technical regulations that govern this equipment.

Regulations at European level:

La Directive 91/271 / EEC It is the European regulation that the Member States must comply with to guarantee that the wastewater that is discharged is adequately previously treated.

On the one hand, this Directive deals with collector systems for the collection and conduction of wastewater from agglomerations or urban centers. On the other hand, it establishes the different treatments that the water must undergo before it is discharged.

In this regulation you can find the minimum treatments required for urban wastewater based on the mass of water that receives the discharge and the number of equivalent inhabitants, as well as the percentage of the minimum performance parameters required (BOD5, COD, Solids in Suspension (SS)).

Technical regulations:

To decide the model of septic tank to install on your land, you must take into account the requirements demanded by the Hydraulic Administration of your area. You can search the official websites of the Hydrographic Confederation corresponding to your territory or go to your Hydrographic Confederation to resolve these doubts.

The UNE-EN 12566 technical standard governs the different types of small wastewater treatment facilities specifically for centers of up to 50 equivalent inhabitants.

For example, for the hydrographic basins managed by the Segura Hydrographic Confederation, prefabricated systems from 0 to 50 equivalent inhabitants must purify the water in accordance with the UNE-EN 12566 Standard, as explained below:

"It refers to the equipment that belongs to part 1 and 3 of the standard. In relation to part 1 (UNE-EN 12566-1) for prefabricated septic tanks, and to part 3 (UNE-EN 12566-3 ), domestic wastewater treatment plants prefabricated and/or assembled at their destination”.

Depending on the place where the treated water is discharged, equipment belonging to one part or another of the standard may be installed.

For discharges of treated water into groundwater bodies of high intrinsic vulnerability I superficial channels, the installation of equipment that is included in the part of the standard is required UNE-EN 12566-3, that is, of type total oxidation. The minimum yields that the purification system must meet according to the regulations of this hydrographic administration for prefabricated systems of 51 to 200 equivalent inhabitants are: BOD5: 70% COD: 75% DS: 90%.

In all other cases, equipment belonging to the required part of the standard is UNE-EN 12566-1, pit-filter type, can be installed. The minimum performance required for these equipments are: BOD5: 60% COD: 65% DS: 90%.

Considerations:

• You should take into account that according to the Water Law, the direct or indirect discharge of water and waste products that may contaminate continental waters, as well as the rest of the public hydraulic domain, is prohibited, except for cases in which there is a prior administrative authorization.

In our post “Guide for the authorization of an urban wastewater discharge point” may be informed about the process to request this authorization.

• On the other hand, the requirements and specifications that purification equipment must meet to install them in the hydrographic zone covered by their hydrographic confederation must be consulted.
• Septic tanks must be built and used in accordance with certain regulations to ensure that they function properly. These regulations range from construction requirements to use and maintenance. By following these regulations, the safety and efficiency of these purification systems can be guaranteed.
• When buying a septic tank, you must make sure of the approval of the equipment and to which part of the standard it belongs to. This information can be found in the declaration of conformity and in the technical sheet of the septic tank.

On our website you can find septic tanks tailored to your needs from the manufacturer RIKUTEC IBERIA, which incorporate the mandatory CE marking from December 1, 2005, based on the UNE-EN 12566-1 standard for pits and tanks with a capacity of 2.000 liters or more.

En Mundoriego We will be happy to help you if you want to buy a septic tank. Visit our website to learn about our equipment. Any questions or queries contact us!