General Binding Rules

The general binding rules issued by the Environment Agency are a set of conditions for discharges to groundwater and surface water for package plants.

If you have a small effluent treatment plant to treat domestic or commercial sewage effluent. It will need to be permitted before you can discharge to a river or drainage field.

The rules are a set of conditions which will exempt you from applying for a permit. They are not particularly easy to interpret however.

If you cannot meet the conditions of the rules then you will have to apply for an environmental permit. This will be prior to discharge the treated effluent to the environment.

General Binding Rules

Wastewater treatment plants must follow binding rules that govern the processes used to treat both domestic and industrial sewage. These rules are often outlined in environmental permits issued by the Environment Agency. The Environmental Permitting Regultions 2016 set out the requirements for the operation of these plants. This includes effluent discharge limits, operational monitoring, and maintenance of treatment processes. These regulations ensure that wastewater is treated to a level that is safe for the environment. This stops the contamination of surrounding land, rivers, and groundwater.

Treatment plants must also have emergency response measures in place to deal with unexpected situations. Such controls over system failures, help mitigate the risk of environmental damage.

Treatment plants are required to operate under environmental permits issued by the Environment Agency or other relevant regulatory bodies. These permits specify the parameters for acceptable emissions, discharges, and other aspects of plant operation. Treatment plants are also subject to ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements to demonstrate compliance with these permits. This may include regular water quality testing, emission checks, and submission of operational reports to authorities.

There are very limited standard rules permits available when it comes to effluent discharges. Many applications are unique so you will have to apply for a bespoke permit. If you possibly can, try to comply with the general binding rules. However, we realise that in many circumstances you will have no choice but to apply for a permit.

Paul Downing & Associates Ltd have a long history in helping organisations. Such as golf clubs, hotels, developers, farms and other organisations not on the mains sewer. We can help you size your treatment plant and help you apply for the correct permit to discharge.