Think T.A.N.K! campaign launches at the Tarland Show

09 August 2011

The Think T.A.N.K! campaign aims to encourage north-east residents to 'make friends with their septic tanks'. The campaign is being launched at the Tarland Show on Saturday 13th August.

The Dee Catchment Partnership is launching a campaign to encourage north-east residents to avoid the problems that can be caused by septic tanks. The campaign, called ‘Think T.A.N.K.’, is being launched at the Tarland Show on 13 August. Owners will be able to learn more about the care of a septic tank system, pick up free information and samples of septic-friendly products, and enter a competition to win a hamper of eco-friendly household products. There will also be an opportunity for groups of residents to sign up to have their tanks emptied at a discounted rate.

Aberdeenshire has one of the highest numbers of private septic tanks in the UK, with over 4,000 households using a septic tank to treat wastewater from baths, sinks and toilets. When working properly, these are very effective treatment systems, with helpful bacteria doing the work of digesting waste. However, if a septic tank is not functioning properly it can cause odour nuisance, flooding, pollution, serious health risks, and considerable expense for the owner to meet legal requirements.

The liquid that drains away from the tank (effluent) can cause a number of problems. If a system is failing, the effluent may contain high levels of harmful bacteria and so pose a serious health risk to families and communities. The effluent from all tanks (even those that are well-maintained) contains chemical residues (called phosphates) from household cleaning products. Phosphates are a serious pollutant of watercourses and therefore it is important that septic tank owners only use products that are labelled ‘phosphate free’ or ‘septic friendly’, especially if where a tank discharges directly to a burn, river, loch or the sea.

The Dee Catchment Partnership (DCP) is running a ‘Think T.A.N.K.’ campaign to encourage septic system owners to avoid these problems by ‘making friends with their septic tanks’.

Dr Susan Cooksley, DCP Project Officer said, ‘We are promoting four simple steps for septic tank owners to follow. First, they should Tidy the site. Owners should locate and check the tank, pipes and outfall, making sure pipes they are not blocked or broken and the areas around the tank and soakaway are always accessible. Second, they must Avoid putting harsh chemicals (such as bleach, disinfectant or caustic soda) down the drain, and always use eco-friendly cleaners and disinfectants, preferably those labelled ‘suitable for septic tanks’. Third, No rainwater must enter the system so owners should make sure surface water drainage is not connected to the septic tank; this is one of the most common reasons for frequent tank emptying and failures. Finally, owners must Keep the system maintained. You should have your tank emptied, or de-sludged, regularly. By following these steps, owners should find that their tank needs to be emptied less frequently. However, if in doubt always arrange for your tank to be cleaned out.’

Septic tank owners have a number of legal responsibilities. They must make sure that the tank is maintained and working properly in order to prevent risks to public health and to protect the environment. All new septic tanks require authorisation before installation, and all existing septic tanks must be registered with SEPA. This can be done at any time, but will be a requirement when the house is next sold.

A guide to the use and management of septic tanks has been produced by the Dee Catchment Partnership, an association of agencies, organisations and individuals who work together to protect and enhance the rivers, burns and lochs in the River Dee Catchment area. The leaflet answers questions about how to find your septic tank, how your septic tank works and why you need to look after it. It offers tips to help you keep your septic tank in good working order, reducing the number of times it has to be emptied, protecting the environment as well as saving unnecessary expense.

For further information and free copies of the leaflet email info@theriverdee.org. To register your septic tank, visit www.sepa.org/wfdreg or call 0800 80 70 60.

Dee taking part in HELP Basin exchange event

26 May 2011

The Dee Catchment Partnership is one of four HELP basins taking part in this weeks workshop being held at the Insight Institute in Glasgow. Organised by Dundee University, the event is an opportunity to exchange catchment management planning experience with representatives from the Tweed, Motueka (New Zealand) and Fraser Basin (Canada) catchments.

A Journey Down the Dee at Cafe Scientifique

11 April 2011

Come along to Cafe Scientifique at Woodend Barn to take a 'Journey Down the Dee' with Kirsty Blackstock (The James Hutton Institute) and Susan Cooksley (Dee Catchment Partnership).

Dee Catchment Partnership Business Plan launched

21 November 2009

The Dee Catchment Partnership launched its Business Plan on 21 November 2009. This sets out the framework and detail for the long term contionuing delivery of the Dee Catchment Management Plan.

Dee Septic Tank leaflet to be distributed Scotland-wide

02 May 2009

The guidance on septic tank care produced by the Dee Septic Tanks implementation group is to be distributed Scotland-wide.

Download The Septic Tank Guide

Dee announced as UNESCO HELP basin

05 February 2009

The River Dee catchment has been accepted as part of the worldwide UNESCO network of HELP basins. This is an exciting and prestigous opportunity to share experiences in integrated water resource management.

Clive Anderson opens 2009 salmon fishing season

02 February 2009

The opening ceremony for the Dee fishing season at Ballogie was a truly excellent event, with guest Clive Anderson in excellent form with his sparkling wit causing much laughter amongst the assembled welcome visitors. There were 205 guests present at the ceremony with generous hospitality provided by the Potarch hotel and Royal Lochnagar distillery.