RA Dalton Success Stories

Our weekly scope of works varies from the installation of new septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, pump stations etc to connection to mains sewer. These jobs include everything from single domestic dwellings to large commercial and housing developments.

You may assume that the vast majority of connections to the mains drains we make are for new build sites, however this is not the case. A lot of the jobs we do are for older properties with dated septic tanks that were installed prior to the sewer being near to the property.

The 2020 General Binding Rules have highlighted a lot of sites that require updating to be brought up to the required legal standards and with a connection to the main sewer becoming increasingly more accessible (primarily due to housing developments in rural areas and improved developments) this has become a more common job criteria.

For a property to be compliant with the 2020 General Binding Rules, any septic tank that discharges to a watercourse must have some element of rectification works carried out, this could be having a drainage field installed, replacing with a sewage treatment plant or divert to the sewer.

Whenever possible it is always recommended to connect to the mains when it is deemed feasible. This is outlined under Building Regulations and off-mains drainage systems should only be used when the mains sewer is not accessible.

When a connection is required, there are a number of steps which must be adhered to for the works to be carried out in accordance with the legal standards. Here at R A Dalton we have an experienced in house team on hand to process each stage of the application process.

To instigate this process, the first port of call is to identify where a possible connection can be made. The best course of action is to then request the plans of the existing sewer from the relevant water authority, this will highlight any existing points which may be a viable option for connection.

After evaluation of the falls, distance and feasibility of the connection we would then apply for the Section 106 license, this can take anything from 6 weeks to 6 months to come through dependant on the water authority. To process the application a lot of information is required, this can include but is not limited to:

• Copy of the location plan including requested discharge point.
• Type of connection to be made.
• Details on who is carrying out the work and accreditations.
• Relevant insurance documents.
• Method statement to carry out the works.

After all the requested information is provided the waiting begins, this can sometimes be quite a lengthy process and further information may be required to satisfy the conditions for the connection.

Sometimes conditions and stipulations can be made prior to approval being received, these can include everything from where the connection is made, the type of connection and the timeframe in which the work needs to be carried out by. Once this is clarified and permission granted the documentation will be processed enabling us to proceed with the next section of the works.

The vast majority of connections to mains sewer will require some kind of works in the roadway, this will require another license to be applied for.

For any kind of street works it is vital that a Section 50 is in place, the approval can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of months to be approved. For this to validated, again several details need to be provided to satisfy the council, this can include the following:

• Copy of plan showing the location of the excavation.
• Estimated length of time on site.
• Traffic Management CAD plan.
• Copy of insurance details.
• Copy of the NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) accreditation cards for both the supervisor and operative on site.
• Method statement.

It is vital that this work is carried out by competent and experienced engineers. All our site workers who carry out the street works jobs are holders of NRSWA and CSCS cards and have extensive experience of tarmac reinstatement in the roadway.

In some instances, the complexity of the roadworks may require a site visit from the council, this may be to assess the timeframe, what works are taking place, and the criteria for the traffic management.

Following an initial site visit from one of our contracts managers to inspect an ageing septic tank it was soon determined that the properties had an illegal discharge to the watercourse, therefore to bring the site up to compliance with the 2020 General Binding Rules we quoted to install a new length of gravity drainage to the mains sewer located across the road.

Coordination is key with these jobs and each element needed to be looked at in great detail. Although the drainage run itself was relatively straight forward, the location of the connection did require further deliberation with the council as additional roadworks were scheduled further along the section of highway immediately following our expected deadline making it imperative that we completed on time.

To further complicate the situation, it was crucial that the bus stop be relocated and effectively covered by Traffic Management so as not to impeded on the local transport links.

As we were on a tight timescale, we carried out the installation ‘backwards’, the first phase of the works was to create the saddle connection to the existing sewer pipe, for this work to be signed off a pre-booked inspection was required and is a mandatory procedure.

Once the inspector had been out and approved the work, we could then start backfilling and reinstating the first section of the road in tarmac. The traffic lights were then switched over onto alternate side of the highway in order for the next section to be installed.

Upon completion of the works in the road the traffic management was then removed, and the bus stop was able to resume normal practice.

The final section of the works was to install the gravity drainage back down the property’s drive, under the hedge and to connect on to the old outlet pipe. Within the property boundary we also installed a number of inspection chambers to assist in the future should they experience any blockages.

Here at R A Dalton we offer the full package for any connection to mains sewer and you can rest assured that the work is carried out with due care and diligence to ensure all elements of the law are abided by.

For more information why not give us a call on 01388 537030.