A new obligation for property owners. They have to count up to 5,000. PLN fine
Local governments have less and less time to inspect septic tanks. Owners of properties that are not connected to the sewage system or who obstruct the inspection must face severe penalties.
The amendment to the Act on water and sewage management imposed on local governments the obligation to inspect septic tanks and submit an annual report on liquid waste. The aim of the amendment is to ensure high-quality sewage treatment in properties that are not connected to the sewage system. Estimates indicate that over 10 million Poles are not connected to the sewage system, and most of the sewage generated in them is released into the environment in an uncontrolled manner.
Municipalities control septic tanks
Municipalities have until August this year to inspect septic tanks. Local governments are subject to financial penalties for failing to fulfill this obligation. Owners of properties that are not connected to the sewage system and that make inspections difficult must also face penalties.
According to the amendment, municipalities are to determine how many septic tanks and home sewage treatment plants there are in their area, as well as check whether the owners have signed contracts for emptying them. They should be concluded with a specialized company.
According to the existing regulations, owners or users of septic tanks are obliged to empty them as often as possible to avoid overflow, but at least once every three months. In the case of home sewage treatment plants, the tanks are emptied at the frequency required by the technical specifications.
How do inspections work in practice? Officials ask residents to complete declarations in which they indicate whether they are connected to the sewage system or not and whether they have a septic tank or a home sewage treatment plant on their property. As part of the inspection, officials can also check whether the amount of sewage discharged matches the amount of water collected.
Employees of city and commune offices are authorized to inspect septic tank owners. Inspection of waste disposal services may also be carried out by municipal police officers.
Severe penalties
Obstructing the inspection of a septic tank (e.g. by failing to present waste disposal bills) may result in a fine of PLN 500. If the case goes to court, the fine may be up to PLN 5,000. zloty.
The inspections carried out may also result in a penalty for not connecting the property to the sewage network in places where it exists. Pursuant to Art. 5 of the Act on maintaining cleanliness and order in municipalities, the owner of the property is obliged to connect it to the existing sewage network.
