Pro Drainage Group is the UK’s leading drainage company with over 20 years of experience, installing and emptying thousands of septic tanks every year.
If you live in the countryside or on the outskirts of town, your home might not be connected to the mains sewer system. Instead, your wastewater is treated on-site using a septic tank. While this is common, a question we’re often asked is: “Can septic tanks be shared between properties?”
The answer is yes, they can. In fact, shared septic tanks are fairly common in rural Dorset and Hampshire. But before you decide to share one with your neighbour, it’s important to understand the rules, responsibilities, and potential pitfalls.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about shared septic tanks, from UK regulations and legal agreements, to the benefits, drawbacks, and practical advice. We’ll also highlight how Pro Septic Tanks can help with septic tank installation, emptying, pumping, inspections, cleaning, and repairs across Wimborne, Romsey, Dorset, and Hampshire.
Learn MoreA septic tank is a buried, watertight chamber that collects and treats wastewater from your property. Solids settle at the bottom, fats and oils float to the top, and the liquid effluent flows into a soakaway or drainage field for safe dispersal.
Key features of a septic tank system include:
Collection of waste – All household wastewater, from toilets, sinks, showers, and washing machines, flows into the tank.
Separation of solids and liquids – Heavy solids form sludge, while lighter scum rises to the top.
Effluent discharge – The liquid part is filtered out into a soakaway system or drainage field.
Septic tanks require regular emptying and cleaning to avoid blockages, odours, or groundwater contamination. At Pro Septic Tanks, we provide:
Septic tank emptying in Wimborne and Romsey
Septic tank cleaning across Dorset and Hampshire
Septic tank inspection and pumping services
Whether you have a single household tank or are considering a shared system, keeping it maintained is essential for both efficiency and compliance.
Get in TouchYes — two or more properties can connect to the same septic tank system. In fact, this is quite common in rural villages where neighbouring homes are built close together but far from mains sewers.
A shared septic tank works in much the same way as a private one, except that multiple households contribute wastewater to a single tank. This can save space and reduce installation costs.
However, it’s not as simple as just connecting to your neighbour’s system. You’ll need to consider legal agreements, fair cost-sharing, maintenance responsibilities, and the increased demand on the system.
Contact us TodayWhen sharing a septic tank, you must follow strict rules set by the Environment Agency and Building Regulations.
General Binding Rules – Discharges must not pollute the environment. Septic tanks are no longer allowed to discharge directly into a watercourse, such as a river or ditch. They must connect to a soakaway or drainage field.
Planning Permission – Any new septic tank installation in Dorset or Hampshire may require approval from your local council.
Legal Agreements – Homeowners sharing a system should have a written agreement covering access rights, responsibilities, and cost-sharing for emptying, cleaning, and repairs.
Compliance Checks – If the system is not compliant, the Environment Agency can require upgrades or replacement.
If you’re considering sharing a tank, Pro Septic Tanks can carry out a septic tank inspection to ensure your system meets all current requirements.
Get in TouchSo, can septic tanks be shared between properties? Yes, they can — but it requires careful planning, a proper legal agreement, and regular maintenance.
A shared septic tank can be cost-effective and practical, but it also brings responsibilities. If you’re considering one, or need expert support with your existing system, Pro Septic Tanks is here to help.
Contact us today for expert septic tank installation, emptying, inspection, cleaning, and repairs in Dorset and Hampshire.
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