Part H - the requirement Part H of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 to 2010, provides as follows for the disposal of foul and surface water:
H1 - Drainage systems
(1) A building shall be provided with such a drainage system as may be necessary for the hygienic and adequate disposal of foul wastewater from the building.
(2) A building shall be provided with such a drainage system as may be necessary for the adequate disposal of surface water from the building.
(3) No part of a drainage system conveying foul wastewater shall be connected to a sewer reserved for surface water and no part of a drainage system conveying surface water shall be connected to a sewer reserved for foul wastewater
H2 - Wastewater treatment systems
(1) A wastewater treatment system shall be so designed, sited and constructed that:
it is not prejudicial to the health of any person,
it does not cause a risk to public health or the environment,
it prevents unauthorised access but allows adequate means of access for emptying and maintenance,
it will function to a sufficient standard for the protection of health in the event of a system failure,
it has adequate capacity,
it is impermeable to liquids, and
it is adequately ventilated.
(2) Information on the wastewater treatment system and any continuing maintenance required to avoid risk to health and the environment shall be provided to the owner.
H3 - Definitions for this Part
In this Part –
"combined drain" means a single private drain used for the drainage of two or more separate premises as defined in section 10 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948 (No. 3 of 1948);
"drain" in relation to a building means any pipe, forming part of the drainage system of the building, which is either –
wholly underground, or
a continuation, in the direction of flow, of part of a drainage system that has been underground, and includes a “combined drain”;
"drainage system", in relation to a building, means the system of pipes and drains used for the drainage of the building, including all other fittings, appliances and equipment so used but excluding subsoil water drains;
"domestic wastewater" means water discharged from kitchens, laundry rooms, lavatories, bathrooms, toilets and similar facilities (soil water and wastewater);
"foul wastewater" means any wastewater comprising domestic wastewater and / or industrial wastewater;
"industrial wastewater / trade effluent" means wastewater discharge resulting from any industrial or commercial activity;
"sewer" has the same meaning as in the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts 1878 to 1964;
"surface water" means water from precipitation which has not seeped into the ground and which is discharged to the drain or sewer system directly from the ground or from the exterior building surfaces;
“soil water” means water containing excreted matter, whether human or animal;
“wastewater” means used water not being soil water or trade effluent.
This Technical Guidance Document is divided into two sections. Section 1 relates to the requirement in H1 (Drainage systems). Section 2 relates to the requirement in H2 (Wastewater treatment systems).
It is important to note that there are other legislative requirements relating to disposal of effluent and the relevant legislation should be consulted.
