The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:27 am**

First of all, many thanks for a great site which has saved me hours of work and worry

I've searched the main site, and many of the previous postings, but can't seem to find an answer - so here goes ...

I'm landscaping the garden in my new house - not a big garden but a big job! Anyway, I'm connecting the surface water run-off from my patio to a handy inspection chamber in the garden (I've checked its SW only). I'm fairly confident with this bit. But I'd also like to connect the water that gathers behind a retaining wall into the same 'surface water' system. Is this allowable?

I understand that there may be issues with contaminants such as herbicides and fertilizers. I suppose the fact I dont use them won't help - I just want to do the right thing!

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Ian

Posted: **Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:52 pm**

firstly Ian ,how do you know its surface water only??
what drew that conclucion?
secondly i wouldnt worry to much about putting the water that collects behind the retaining wall into it as long as you haven't been using agent orange or something
have a good look at the soakaway page on the main site for more info on this subject
cheers LLL

Posted: **Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:57 am**

Thanks LLL, that helps. I'm pretty sure its a SW only chamber as a) the chamber right next to it is foul (I know this for sure) so I believe its a seperate system and b) the chamber only has 1 input pipe which is fed from the garage and house roof down pipes (I tested this with a hose pipe before the ban). You're right though, I suppose this input pipe could be fed with other sources too (I didnt dig up the whole pipe to inspect) but I assume its safe to conclude its SW only? Anyhow; I'll wrap the drainage in geomembrane to keep out all the silt and connect it up -- and be sure not to use anything dodgy in the soil! ... many thanks Ian

The Brew Cabin

Surface water definition - Understanding where i can drain from