Septic Tanks & Wastewater in France

Septic Tanks: Regulations, Workings, Installation, Maintenance

Regulations applying to individual wastewater systems: primarily septic tanks (fosses septiques) Mini Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and fat traps

• The 1992 wastewater law
• The septic tank
• The control
• Regular maintenance of the system
• New and replacement installation
• Wastewater system layout

The 1992 Waste-Water Law

On 3 January 1992, all towns and villages in France saw their responsibilities increased with the town hall (mairie) now being responsible for every aspect of wastewater treatment, be it collective or individual. Each mairie is directly responsible for the control and regular maintenance of septic tanks in its area. 

In many areas, the mairies have appointed a syndicate or a professional body to enforce the law. They are generally known as S.P.A.N.C. (Service Public d’Assainissement Non Collectif).

The body selected by a mairie has until December 2005 to put a plan of action in place. This plan will identify the best way to treat the waste-water based on population level, cost and other factors. It will also identify each septic tank so as to control it.

A water bill contains a line called Redevance Service Public d’Assainissement Non Collectif. This is a charge applied by the water company to help finance the implementation of this law. The cost varies depending on the area.

Most mayoral districts have held open, public information meetings organised by the body appointed to implement the new rules. In almost every region the action plan is already in place and "control" of the septic tanks has started. Details will be available at your mairie.

The Septic Tank

A septic tank is a large tank where all the waste-water from a home is stored and receives basic treatment. 

The initial concept was to create an environment that was both aerobic and anaerobic in order to deal with the various matters present in the tank. 

• Once in the tank, the waste starts to divide itself
• The lightest waste (fat, oil, grease) floats to the surface where it forms a crust. This is called suspended solids. Suspended solids are digested by aerobic bacteria and transformed into carbon dioxide and water. (Aerobic: a life form that requires oxygen to live).
• The heavier solids will drop and settle at the bottom of the tank. This is called the sludge. Sludge is digested by anaerobic bacteria. (Anaerobic: opposite of aerobic).
• The liquid circulates between the two masses.

A septic tank does not really treat waste. Its main purpose is to store the waste for a period during which the waste will undergo its first transformation. This is called the pre-treatment. At this stage, 70% or more of the pollution contained in the waste coming into the tank, leaves. 

This pollution contains germs and pathogens which pose real threats of contamination and disease and is therefore very dangerous to human life. The new law imposes filtration systems to control waste coming from the septic tank into the ground. This is called "the treatment".

There are many types of filtration systems available, but the choice is dependant on the soil composition. This type of septic tank (fosse toutes eaux in France) is the most commonly used. It receives the waste-water from the bathroom, the toilets and the kitchen.

Other systems have a separate fat trap, which only receives the wastewater from the kitchen.

The septic tank receives all the wastewater from the house, bathroom, toilets and kitchen. The waste undergoes a digestion process. The bacteria present in the tank feed on the waste, transforming it into gas, carbon dioxide and water. This is called the pre-treatment. 

The second stage is to treat the waste (which contains a large number of germs and pathogens) coming out of the septic tank. This is achieved by using a filtration system.

Please note that it is a serious offence to release untreated wastewater directly into the soil or into a water stream. The risk of diseases and contamination is very high.

1 January 2006

As a result of a regulation of 1 January 2006 only registered pumping companies (vidange) may remove untreated waste from a septic tank. The use of an unauthorised company could lead to fines for both you and the pumping company. Furthermore, septic tank owners must have a certificate or record of all pump-outs and maintenance carried out on your septic tank system. A certificate can only be issued by an authorised company. 

You will be required to show proof of maintenance when your tank is inspected. If you do not have any record of your septic tank having been emptied you will be ask to do so using an approved company. Under the new regulation, a septic tank should be pumped once every four years on average.

The Control

The main purpose of the control is to ensure that all the systems which are not, or which cannot be, linked to the main sewage system are in good condition, function properly and are capable of dealing with the amount of wastewater to be treated. (The body responsible for the control will contact you to set up a meeting.)

During the visit an engineer will:

1. Verify the access to the tank
2. The condition of the tank. Is it leaking? Is it cracked?
3. The location of the tank
4. The ventilation of the tank
5. The volume of the tank
6. The sludge level
7. The drain going to the filtration system
8. The nature of the soil
9. The proximity of water source, above and underground
10. The filtration system

The engineer will give a report which will indicate whether or not a system is working correctly. If a system does not function correctly or if it needs some modification the engineer will explain to how to proceed with the required changes.

Regular Maintenance of the System

Modern life does not facilitate a septic tank's life. In many cases it is too small to deal with the volume of waste water it receives. Toilets, showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers have considerably increased the volume of waste water. In France a family of 3 produce on average 2.6m3 of wastewater per week. This is compounded by the over-use of detergents, disinfectants, antiseptics and antibiotics, which slow or completely stop a septic tank.

• Do not dispose of any toxic products in any of the pipes and drains linked to a septic tank. 
• Ensure that the bacterial activity of the septic tank, fat trap and filtration is replenished regularly by using a product such as a septic tank activator.
• Every 4 months do a visual check of your system. When the sludge content of your septic tank is more than 2/3 of the total volume, pump out a third to half of the sludge. 
  Note: Never empty a tank completely. A septic tank without any sludge will not work and will start to smell. 20 to 30% of the sludge must remain in the tank at all times. It can take up to a year for an emptied tank to get back to normal.

New and Replacement Installation

Application for a new installation or a replacement should be made at the mairie. The application is a Demande d’ Installation d’un Dispositif d’Assainissement Non Collectif.

The application addresses two points:

• The pre-treatment of the waste (the septic tank or MWWTP). This is the wastewater arriving from the house into the septic tank.
• The treatment of the waste (the filtration). This is the wastewater coming out of the septic tank.

Information Required

On the drawing, mark the area and the location of the land reserved for the waste water system (septic tank and filtration).

• Note the topography of the land (flat or on a slope)
• Explain the nature of the soil - its absorbency and how quickly water drains (if at all) - from a depth of 50 and 100cm
• Note if the land at risk from flooding
• Note if there is a source for drinkable water on the land, either public or private
• Note the number of people living in the house.
• Note if the commune has existing wastewater system or methods in place
• Note  the type of system you would like to use and its size.
• Include a soil test to ensure that the filtration system chosen is compatible with the type of soil on the property.

Size of a Septic Tank

When choosing a septic tank the following parameters should be taken into account.

• Water consumption in France is on average 175 litres per person per day
• Add to that 50% in order to take into account the space occupied by the waste already present in the septic tank
• The water height in the septic tank must be 1 metre
• The width must be 1.20 metres
• The length of the septic tank is equal to: capacity in M3/Water Height x Width
• The retention period must be of 2 to 3 days

Therefore the minimum septic tank size for a property occupied by 3,4,5 or 6 people is:

A property with 3 occupants must be equipped with a septic tank with a minimum capacity of 2.36 m3 or 2,360 litres. It is always advisable to choose a septic tank larger then required as this will give the following advantages:

• Reduce the number of pumps out required
• Reduce the impact of accidental release of toxic products in the septic tank.
• Provide a longer retention time which will reduce the risk of blockages in the drain from tank to soak away

Please note: that the current regulation governed by document (DTU 64-1) requires the installation of a septic tank with a minimum capacity of 3.00 M3 or 3,000 litres

Waste-water System Layout

Key to above:

1. Fat trap (optional) unless a tank is more than 10m from the house.
2. Septic tank
3. Filter
4. Rainwater (must never come in contact with your wastewater system)
5. Drains ventilation
6. Septic tank ventilation
7. 7m distance between house and septic tank. If the distance between the house and the septic tank is over 10m a fat trap must be installed.
8. 35m minimum distance between filter and water source
9. Neighbouring fence minimum 3m
10. Large trees and shrubs must be at least 3m from the tank to ensure that the root systems do not damage it or the filter
11. Access and observation points for fat trap, septic tank and filter.

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Information supplied by Jean-Claude Bardot of Bio-Solv
Tel: +33 (0)5 53 93 56 64, Mobile: +33 (0)6 33 82 77 41, e-mail
www.bio-solv.net 
Copyright © 2005 Jean-Claude Bardot All Rights Reserved