Steve Brine has raised the issue of septic tank registration in the House of Commons, as worried residents continue to worry about their legal position with DEFRA and the Environment Agency.
Press reports early in the summer suggested that registration for septic tanks were soon to become compulsory, surprising and concerning many local people who were unaware of the development.
Winchester MP Steve Brine has been working with DEFRA and the Environment Agency to quell fears, and raised the matter in the Commons on Tuesday 18th October.
In reply to his question on when DEFRA planned to publish its consultation on the registration of small domestic sewage discharges from septic tanks, Minister Richard Benyon explained that the department and the Environment Agency are reviewing the situation with key players such as the National Farmers Union and water companies to develop proposals on an alternative approach.
He said: "Once the review has been completed we will propose the way forward, probably around the turn of the year. In the meantime, the Environment Agency has suspended the registration system in England and there is no need for householders to register."
Steve Brine said: "I am happy that the scheme has been suspended, but the issue still causes concern for many of my constituents and I will continue to press DEFRA and the Environment Agency so we can get this sorted sooner rather than later."
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You can view the exchange at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2011-10-18a.72041.h&s=speaker%3A24901#g72041.q0.