]> 2026-04-19T14:15:54+00:00 Case study:Septic Tank Survey in the Clun Forest 500 en Draft Land Life and Livelihoods Great Britain No No Yes false No The overall conclusions are that without water quality data, it is not certain how big an impact on water quality unsewered properties are having. On the face of it, septic tanks do not present as big an issue for river ecology as soil erosion and sediment transport and that a whole catchment approach to understanding the pressures is needed. 52.441169276624,-3.1602162122726 Dolcoath Bob Land Life and Livelihoods Harris ,, ,,Volunteer engagement, Public meeting,,Survey work, A small group of people organised by Land Life and Livelihoods were able to obtain information through questionnaire and interview from 66% of the households with septic tank sewerage systems in the area. In general there was a low degree of awareness of how tanks worked, but people in the locality seem to have readily addressed problems when they have arisen. 52% of tanks are over 30 years old and 37% of soakaway systems being within 25m of a watercourse. The majority of householders (54%) have their tanks desludged frequently (<3 yrs) but a significant proportion (16%) wait 10 yrs or longer. A risk assessment was carried out using the information collected and a ranking list drawn up. Only 3 (2%) systems showed obvious signs of failure and need attention, although the condition of tanks was not physically inspected. Some systems are in high-risk locations but without obvious signs of malfunction and in the absence of supporting water quality data it is difficult to determine whether they are working effectively. Recommendations are made for improvements to the 3 sites and further investigation of the remaining higher-risk sites. The investigation of the flux of silt and sediment from hillsides and road verges via the road system suggested that roads were major carriers of sediment and that as well as some road drains, overflows from accumulated water and ditches alongside roads also needed to be considered. However, road drains are mostly located in the valley bottoms and so dealing with them is akin to treating the symptom rather than the root causes. The report suggests that a whole catchment analysis of the erosion and sediment transport issues is needed of which managing road drains should play a part. 21401 2013-05-01Z 2456413.5 2012-01-01Z 2455927.5 Complete The catchment of the Upper Clun and its tributaries is largely unsewered and, although the population density is low, the contribution of septic tanks adding nutrients to the river needs to be better understood. The river is classified to be of high quality but a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) at the lower end is being degraded and there are other signs of freshwater related biodiversity decline. Nutrients play their part, but some of this decline is believed to be due to the deposition of sediment in the riverbed. The river is heavily silt-laden when in spate and this is particularly noticeable in the upper reaches. The steep slopes and high rainfall in the Upper Clun are likely to lead to proportionately high soil erosion and rapid transport with roads acting as conduits and drains as pathways for more rapid transport to the river. This is a community-led and Environment Agency financed review of the state of septic tanks and road drains in the Upper Clun catchment. Community Engagement - volunteers used to survey householders via face to face interview and questionnaire. Householders with failing septic tank systems were offered expert advice on solutions via consultants. Feedback given to all community through a public meeting. Septic Tank Survey in the Clun Forest septic tank survey in the clun forest No Teme Severn R Clun - source to conf Folly Bk r clun - source to conf folly bk Volunteer engagement Public meeting 10 - 100 km² 496 200 - 500 m R Clun - source to conf Folly Bk GB109054044000 Social benefits Water quality GB109054044000 R Clun - source to conf Folly Bk Survey work 2015-03-01T19:19:58Z 2457083.3055324 2017-06-06T07:55:18Z 2457910.8300694 Septic Tank Survey in the Clun Forest 500 1 plainlist 5 [[Category:Case study]] [[Project title::!Septic Tank Survey in the Clun Forest]] [[Subcatchment title::R Clun - source to conf Folly Bk]] Septic Tank Survey in the Clun Forest# QUERY21c0b904328a6fd3147434c9c2b9ff56