Guidance

Disposing of waste from clearing blocked sewers: RPS 7

Environment Agency regulatory position on disposing of waste from clearing blocked sewers.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 27 March 2014
• Last updated: 7 May 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 7 May 2026

     This RPS have been extended to 30 June 2029 and updated to the latest template.

  2. 18 July 2022

     Updated this regulatory position statement (RPS) to clarify when it applies and how to comply with it. Updated the next review date for this RPS to 30 June 2025.

  3. 11 June 2019

     We've removed the content about septic tank and cesspool sludge because these wastes are excluded under the controlled waste regulations. Sewage sludge and septic tank sludge are not covered by waste regulations if they're taken to sewage treatment works into the waste water part of the treatment process.

  4. 27 March 2014

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Disposing of waste from clearing blocked sewers: RPS 7

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This regulatory position statement (RPS) does not change your legal requirement to:

• have an environmental permit where one is required
• register an activity as exempt where you are required to do so

However, the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with these legal requirements if you meet the requirements in this RPS.

The regulatory position does not apply to any other legal requirements.