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| FRANCE - septic tanks |  |
Everything that you need to know about your Septic Tank and Sewage Systems in France.
Sewage Treatment Terminology Translation
Septic Tank which takes ONLY toilet waste Fosse Septique
Septic Tank which takes both toilet waste AND greywater (bath, sink, dishwasher, etc) Fosse Totes Eaux
Cesspool which simply stores all the wastewater for reguar emtying by tanker Fosse d'etanche
Sewage Treatment Unit Compact Fosse Septique
Greywater (bath, shower, sink, washer, etc) Eau Usee
Blackwater (toilet) Eau Vanne
Soakaway Tranche d'Epandage
Sand Filter Filtres a sable
Background to septic tanks and sewage treatment in France
In the past, the French separated the grey water (eau usee ) from showers, sinks, washing machine etc and the sewage from the WC (eau vanne) into different systems.
The eau usee ( greywater ) was often piped into a stream or ditch directly without any treatment.
The eau vanne ( toilet waste ) was either:
- piped into a septic tank ( fosse septique ) with an outlet to a primitive filter bed that normally consisted of a trench filled with stone (tranchee d'epandage) These septic tanks are usually too small now to cope with the amount of liquid going into them and many are coming to the end of their life anyway. Please click here for information on failing Septic Tanks
- or piped into a fosse d'etanche ( cesspool ) that was supposed to be emptied regularly,
The fosse septiques ( septic tanks ) are often too small for current regulations. The fosse d'etanche is usually much larger. Fosse d'etanches were often 'holed' on purpose to reduce emptying costs, but this usually ended in disaster as raw sewage contaminated the groundwater and groundwater filled the tank in winter!
Approved design Septic Tank
No septic tank really treats sewage. It merely stores the sewage, seperating solids from liquids. 70% of all the original pollutants remain in the septic tank effluent, including dangerous bacteria and viruses (such as hepatitis, polio, tetanus, leptospirosis, cholera, para typhoid etc), which are very dangerous if you have not had the required vaccinations..
This septic tank effluent must be treated further and purified by aerobic bacteria in the soil. This is done via a properly designed and constructed Filter Bed. This is the part that is missing from most septic systems in France and is the part which you must now have as it is the real treatment for the sewage. It has been estimated that about 80% of rural French properties do not comply with the new regulations so BEWARE.
Septic Tank and Sewage System Regulations in France
In December, 2005, everything changed in France regarding Sewage Treatment, when the Mairie of each Commune became directly responsible for every aspect of watewater treatment. The Mairie is also responsible for implementing the new strict regulations on Septic Tank systems ( fosse toutes eaux ) and for ensuring the regular maintenance of your septic tank or sewage system, be it an individal (non-collectif) system or municipal ( collectif ). He/She has to arrange an inspection of your system every 4 years and issue a report, which you must keep.
Areas have been designated either 'collectif' or 'non-collectif' areas. If an area has been designated a 'collectif' area, it means that a mains sewage system has been decided upon as the best way of dealing with sewage in that area, even if main sewerage is not yet in place. BEWARE of buying a house in such an area if it does not have existing mains services, as it is unlikely that you will get permission for your own system, or permission to upgrade your own system if it fails the inspection. You will be forced to conect to the main sewer once it is installed, even if you already have your own fosse septique, as the Law is about Pollution Control.
Because most of the Maires know little about wastewater treatment, they usually appoint a professional body to enforce the law. They are often (but not always) known as S.P.A.N.C. (Service Public d’Assainissement Non Collectif) and will service a group of communes from a local office.
If you already live in France, you will have seen on your water bill a charge “Redevance Service Public d’Assainissement Non Collectif”. This charge is applied by your water company to help finance the implementation of the law. The cost does vary from region to region.
The main purpose of the Law is to ensure that all the private systems in existence in rural France are fit for the purpose and do not cause pollution of groundwater or watercourses. They have to be in good condition, the filter bed must be correct, they must work and be maintained correctly and they must be the correct size in order to be able to deal with the amount of wastewater that you produce - an amount which has risen dramatically over the last 20 years! A visit to your property will be arranged by SPANC and the engineer will verify the :
- Location of the septic tank
- Access to and condition of the septic tank
- Ventilation of the septic tank
- Volume of the septic tank
- Sludge level
- Drain going to the filtration system
- Nature of the soil
- Proximity of any water sources, above and underground
- Filtration system
You will then be given a report that will tell you if your sewage system is working correctly. It will also explain to you the changes you need to make if it isn't.
The first stage will be to get a soil percolation test performed on your property in order to be able to determine whether a tranche d'epandage (soakaway) is suitable and if it is, to design it. Your Mairie may be able to give you the name of the local agency that performs the tests, and it is likely to cost several hundred euros if you employ someone to do them. A septic tank can not be installed without this test being carried out first, since the test will enable the authorities to tell you what size and type of sewage system you need in order to comply with the regulations.
The most common type of existing septic tank comprises of a tank, buried in the ground, that collects all toilet waste from the property, and then releases it through underground pipes bedded in stone, into the surrounding area. Typically 20 - 50 metres of buried pipe were installed.
It depends on how absorbent your soil type is, but you should be aware your existing soakaway is unlikely to comply with the new regulations. Unless your soil is very absobent sandy or silty loam with a depth of at least 1 metre, then a different method of treatment will be required. Discharge of septic effluent to a waterecourse is illegal. The most common system for septic tank effluent treatment is a sand filter, which involves a very large hole being dug, perhaps 30 square metres and 1.5 metres deep, lined with heavy duty plastic, then filled with various layers of sand, gravel, and geotextile membranes. The outflow from the septic tank (which has received ALL waste water from the house, not just toilet waste) then passes into this filtration system, through pipes spread across the top, filters through the sand bed, and is collected by further pipes at the bottom before being released into the environment. As you can imagine, this may take up a very large part of your garden and many properties sold in France do not have enough land to install one anyway!
All recent septic tank installations should have been documented and the records placed with the Mairie.
If you are purchasing an old house in the country ask to see the legal certificate of approved drainage - It is unlikely that there is one and it is YOUR responsibility to obtain it. This is usually a BIG problem, as most old houses do not have a sewage system which will pass. The notary will need it before you can resell the property in the future.
Your Mairie will decide whether or not a new fosse toutes eaux or mains drainage connection is required.
APPLICATION FOR A NEW FOSSE TOUTES EAUX
For new build and to replace an existing septic tank, you will have to go to your Marie and ask for an application form - "Demande d'installation d'un dispoitif d'assainissement non collectif"
The application requires:
The application form completed and signed - including number of main rooms, slope of the land, the ground water level and the type and size of filter bed.
A location plan (1:25,000 or 1:10,000)
A layout plan showing existing and future buildings, the proposed location of the septic tank installation, any wells or streams and the slope and direction of slope of the land.
Septic Tank Installation Costs
The size of the septic tank ( Fosse toutes eaux ) installations depends on the number of main rooms as the septic tank is sized as follows-
Number of main rooms ( bedrooms + 2) Septic Tank size in cubic metres
5 and under 3
every additional room one extra cubic metre per room
Septic tanks vary in cost, but the cheapest one is likely to cost around 800 to 1000 euros
The pipework and fittings between the house septic tank and septic tank to filter bed will also cost several hundred euros. Additional drainage runs can add a day to the programme and increase the cost by up to 1000 euros.
The cost of the filter bed materials bed will be approximately 35 euros per square metre.
A straightforward installation for a 5 main room residence will take about 4 to 5 days - this could increase to 7 for a large complex installation. A team of builders with their plant and equipment will cost about 1000 euros per day.
If you require the spoil to be removed off-site, then expect to pay about another 1000
In short, the cost of installing a Fosse toutes eaux is around 6000 to 7000 Euros for a 5 roomed house with at least an extra 1000 euros for every additional room.
Septic Tank ongoing Control by the Mairie in France
Your fosse will be inspected by the Mairie every four years, but during this time you should check it regularly and take any necessary action. For example, you need to check the sludge level, and if the tank becomes over 60% full with sludge, it must be emptied and re-started, or partially emptied. It is probably better to partially empty the tank if action is required, as if the tank is completely emptied of solids it will begin to cause a smell unless it is correctly re-started. The water levels and scum layers should also be checked. If a pump out is required, you must use a registered and approved company (your Mairie will advise) You need to retain your receipt to show to the inspector at the four yearly check.
Rules on minimum distances for septic tanks in France
You cannot site a septic tank within three metres of a neighbouring property. It is also forbidden to place a septic tank less than three metres away from trees and shrubs, although smaller garden plants may be exempt from this rule. Despite its name of fosse toutes eaux, rain water must in no circumstances get into the septic tank, so make sure that there is an adequate alternative drainage system for this. Other rules state that you must leave thirty five metres distance between the filter bed of the septic tank and a water source, such as a stream or well. Obviously ventilation is important, and easy access by safely covered manholes is also a must have. It is only necessary to install a fat trap or grease trap if the septic tank is more than ten metres away from the kitchen. If this is called for, try to place it as close to the property as you can.
NOW THE GOOD NEWS
France has just changed its regulations to allow the DM sewage treatment units to be installed instead of the complex and expensive septic tank and filtration system outlined above. There are many DM installations currently in France and the good news is that Water Processes Ltd. give a lifetime process guarantee for the unit - something that is impossible if you install a soakaway or sand filter as too much depends on the weather! The effluent can be discharged into a watercourse or a vastly reduced soakaway system.
We can supply these units with all brochures translated into French.
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Waste Tech Environmental Ltd.
UK Tel 01757 288022
Ireland Tel 063 81321
Sewage treatment and septic tank specialists
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