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Plan for changes, sale and decommissioning

Systems must be adjusted when the household grows, and closed safely when replaced, so they do not pollute later.

How

1. Recheck flows and pumping intervals when more people move in or you add bathrooms.
2. Tell your authority before changing or extending the system. Changes usually need a new permit.
3. When a system is taken out of use, have it properly decommissioned. England's general binding rules require this to prevent pollution.
4. Remember that well separation distances can still apply to old, unused sources unless they and the polluted soil are removed (Minnesota rules).
5. When selling, hand over the manual, map and service records. In England the seller must give written details to the buyer.

Safety: Old tanks can collapse. Never walk over an uncovered or unknown tank.

Sources

1. General binding rules for small sewage discharges (SSDs) with effect from 2 October 2023. UK Government (Environment Agency, England), accessed 2026-11
2. Isolation Distances from a Well. Minnesota Department of Health, accessed 2026-11

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