Sepa plea: free to register tanks
Scotland’s environment watchdog is reminding Shetlanders with septic tanks they have not yet registered that they have only three weeks left to do so – for free.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has developed, with the Scottish government, a 10-point plan to support economic activity during the current difficulties. The aim is to help the economy while also protecting the environment and the health and well being of communities across Scotland.
One of the initiatives was waiving application charges for environmental licences, which includes registration for septic tank discharges. This period lasts until the end of the financial year on Tuesday 31st March.
Sepa’s Shetland manager Dave Okill said: “This is the perfect opportunity for people to register their septic tanks while the £74 fee has been waived, but there are only a few free weeks left. The registration process is simple and can be done easily online, or on a paper form from the office in Lerwick.
“Since 1st April 2006 there has been a requirement to register septic tank discharges if they go to full soakaway, to the sea or to a watercourse. If your septic tank was already authorised prior to 1st April 2006 (usually in the form of a CoPA consent) then there is no need to reapply. You can contact the office on (01595) 696926 to check whether an authorisation is already in place.”
The easiest and most efficient way of applying to Sepa for a registration is through our online facility, which can be found at www.
sepa.org.uk/water/regulations/application_forms.aspx – just follow the link for discharges.
Applications for other environmental licenses and registrations are also free to private individuals or to companies until 31st March.
