What to do when your neighbour’s septic tank causes contamination, Scotland
Dealing with contamination from a neighbour’s septic tank can be stressful, particularly when sewage smells, wastewater, or drainage issues begin affecting your land or home. Whether it’s a leaking septic tank, a failing soakaway field or experiencing untreated sewage entering your property, it’s important to respond appropriately while maintaining a reasonable relationship with your neighbour. So, how can you go about doing this politely?
Assessing the contamination
Before taking any formal action, assess the extent of the septic tank contamination on your property. Common signs of septic tank failure include sewage backups, foul odours, slow drainage, pooling water, or unusual water discolouration.
If you suspect your neighbour’s septic tank is leaking or overflowing onto your land, document everything carefully. Take photos or videos of visible sewage, wet ground, or damage to plants or surfaces. Keeping a clear record of the contamination will be helpful if the issue needs to be escalated to environmental authorities or the local council. It also acts as a way to show your neighbours what the problem is.
Communicate with your neighbour about smelly septic tanks
In many cases, the quickest way to resolve a septic tank contamination issue is through open and respectful communication. This is not always possible, depending on the relationship you have with those around you. However, if you can then speak to your neighbour calmly and explain your concerns without making accusations. They may be unaware that their septic tank or drainage field has failed or is causing a problem beyond their boundary. IT is unlikely that they are causing these problems on purpose.
A constructive conversation can often lead to faster action, such as arranging a septic tank inspection or repair. If helpful, you can pass on the details of Septic Tank Services Ltd, and we can assess the septic tank system and identify the source of the problem.
Contact your local council or environmental agencies
If you are unable to speak to your neighbour, or they are unwilling to take action, you may need to contact your local council. The environmental health section of your council website should provide guidance on septic tanks and sewage pollution.
When a septic tank or soakaway fails, it may be classed as a statutory nuisance under Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In such cases, the local council can issue a notice to the septic tank owner requiring them to fix the problem.
You can also contact environmental agencies if septic tank contamination is affecting nearby land or watercourses. In Scotland, this is handled by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). Where pollution poses a wider environmental risk, SEPA may become involved following action by the local authority. Further guidance is available on the SEPA website.
Dealing with smelly septic tanks
After resolving the issue, focus on preventing future contamination problems. Regularly maintain your septic system and encourage your neighbour to do the same. This includes having your septic tank emptied and inspected regularly. You can contact us here to arrange to have your septic tank emptied.