Owners ask for the service and wait for weeks. And they face a 5 thousand PLN fine

• Millions of households are not connected to the sewage system.
• Municipalities must regularly inspect septic tanks or domestic sewage treatment plants.
• Residents may pay a fine for non-compliance - in extreme cases up to PLN 5,000.

About 10 million Poles (over 2 million households) use cesspools or domestic sewage treatment plants. Local governments are required to register and inspect all properties equipped with cesspools (cesspools) and domestic sewage treatment plants.

In accordance with art. 6 sec. 1 item 1 of the aforementioned Act, property owners who dispose of liquid waste from their property are obliged to document, in the form of an agreement, the use of services performed by an entrepreneur who holds a permit to conduct business in the field of emptying septic tanks and transporting liquid waste by presenting such agreements and proof of payment for these services .

Residents can pay a fine for improper conduct – in extreme cases, up to PLN 5,000. For example, last year in Nowy Targ, out of 1,500 properties inspected, eight received tickets.

On the website wynagrodzeniacentrum.pl we read that the most frequently revealed irregularities include:

• No bills or waste removal contracts.
• No documentation from the tank (no certificate, approval, etc.).
• Discharge of sewage into nearby ditches, rivers, reservoirs or into the ground.
• Tanks made in an amateurish manner (from incorrect, uncertified materials), e.g. tanks made from so-called concrete rings (without bottom), tanks made from water storage tanks (so-called Mausers).
• Lack of permit for use and installation of a domestic sewage treatment plant.

The Mayor of the City and Commune of Dobre announced on the city hall website that by June 30, residents are required to come to the office , fill out a declaration about having a septic tank, present copies of contracts for the use of services provided by an entrepreneur with a permit to conduct business in the field of emptying tanks, and present copies of proof of payment for the above services. After June 30, the official will be required to inspect the property in person .

The Suchy Las commune informs on its website that inspections are carried out successively throughout the year.

The Nowa Wieś Lęborska Commune informs that in the second quarter the residents of the following towns are subject to inspections: Darżkowo, Janisławiec, Łebień, Pogorszewo, Lędziechowo; in the third quarter: Krępa Kaszubska, Janowice, Rozgorze, Janowiczki, Niebędzino; and in the fourth quarter: Bąsewice, Tawęcino, Rekowo Lęborskie, Karlikowo Lęborskie, Obliwice.

Similar messages can be found on many city and municipal websites. Inspection of septic tanks and domestic sewage treatment plants is their responsibility.

What if we wait too long for waste removal? On the website mamnewsa.pl we read that more and more people complain that instead of the declared three days, they wait for the arrival of a septic tanker for weeks.

I have a contract with the Municipal Utilities Company to remove sewage from the septic tank. The contract clearly states that the septic tanker must arrive within three days of placing the order. I placed the order on May 2, and the service was not performed until June 6. What if I was inspected during that time? Who would pay the fine?

- asks one of the residents of the Andrychów commune.

As we read on mamnewsa.pl, the Municipal Utilities Plant in Andrychów admits that the waiting time for their services has been longer due to the excess of orders - residents have increased the frequency of emptying septic tanks for fear of inspections.

However, it seems that in light of the regulations, the agreement and payment for the service should be enough. Although ZGK Andrychów suggests hiring a company with shorter terms.