Do I have to apply to the Environment Agency for an Environmental Permit in order to discharge the treated effluent or wastewater from my reed-bed system to a watercourse or to surface-ground?

Yes, but the rulings are fairly complex and it depends on the volume of the discharge and the nature of the effluent.

If you wish to make a discharge of more than 5 m3/day of treated sewage effluent or wastewater to surface water (for example a river, stream, pond, lake, estuary or the sea), or to groundwater (including via an infiltration trench or soakaway system) then you will have to apply for an Environmental Permit to make that discharge.

If you want to discharge treated sewage effluent, to a river, stream, estuary or the sea and the volume is 5 m3/day or less you might be eligible for an exemption rather than a permit.

If you want to discharge sewage effluent, to groundwater via a drainage field or infiltration system and the volume is 2 cubic metres per day or less you might be eligible for an exemption rather than a permit.

For further information go to the Environment Agency website: Here are two links:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/water/32038.aspx
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/water/110593.aspx

Cress Water Solutions can act as your agent and make the application to the EA on your behalf.