Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968

10 Emptying of septic tanks

(1) A local authority may pass a resolution whereby they elect to empty all septic tanks serving premises situated in their area or in any part thereof specified in the resolution, and where such a resolution has been passed and approved by the Secretary of State it shall be the duty of the authority, subject to subsection (2) below, to empty all septic tanks serving such premises, where it is reasonably practicable to do so, at reasonable intervals and at such convenient hours and times as they consider proper.

(2) The duty imposed by the foregoing subsection does not extend to septic tanks which receive trade effluent or to septic tanks which are, or are part of, public sewage treatment works.

(3) If any question arises under this section as to whether anything is or is not reasonably practicable or as to whether intervals are or are not reasonable, or if any question arises under subsection (2) above, it shall be determined summarily by the sheriff, whose decision on the matter shall be final.

(4) Where in relation to any premises situated in their area a local authority have no duty to empty septic tanks serving those premises, they may, at the request of the owner or occupier of the premises, agree to empty any such tank on such conditions as to payment or otherwise as the authority may think fit.