When we bought our house nearly 5 years ago, our Fosse didn’t conform. I was led to believe that this was normal, to a degree, due to ever changing regulations. Our house sleeps 10 but there was only a couple living there for quite a long time and the same would apply to us. We would have visitors but occasionally. The Notaire advised that it wasn’t essential to upgrade due to the circs explained. We received a letter two days ago to say the “waterboard” are coming to inspect our fosse for conformity in May. We obviously know it won’t conform. What do we do? Make efforts to get quotes so it looks like we’re actioning it or do we just wait and see. Your advice would be welcome
Wait and see.
No point in asking for quotes before you receive an inspection report as the quotes may well contain unnecessary work.
Thanks, just got a bit worried when it expressed it was obligatory for the inspection or else fines would apply and due to the timescale, ie. we’ve not done anything after it not conforming, went into blind panic
We received a similar letter. I replied saying that an inspection to check on EU conformity was not necessary because it was installed before the EU was invented and would most definitely not conform. They came anyway saying it was a legal requirement. They said it did not conform and then sent me a bill for the inspection.
I did nothing until I sold that house and another inspection failed it again and I was sent another bill for that inspection. The purchaser wanted to install a bigger fosse septique so we made small compromise on the price and all was well. No fines were issued or even suggested.
They will come and inspect it and charge you 120€ to tell you something that you already know,you will get a report stating how long you have got to do the work.
Okay thanks. It worjs for us, just not the size of the house as in capacity
Thanks for your response, just a good excuse to charge us!
We were quite struck by how many locals strongly advised us NOT to upgrade our non-conforming fosse when we bought our house, then as a maison secondaire! The purchase price was discounted to reflect the likely costs of making the fosse conform.
SPANC, the relevant agency had made an inspection visit under the previous owners. We felt we should try to resolve the situation, since SPANC were unlikely to let go, once the non-conformity was on their radar. So we proactively took the initiative to obtain an Etude (independent survey) to establish the options and went ahead with installing a replacement fosse. Expensive but I think the sensible thing to do in the long run, at least from our/the environmental point of view.
I think that’s what we’ll end up doing, an up to date one. Don’t relish my garden being dug up but long term the best option
1 Like
When you get your new Fosse, make sure to name it Bob, in an elaborate ceremony while performing a 60s dance routine… 
2 Likes
If its any reassurance, this shows our garden being dug up,(2022) and then from more or less the same angle now.
Beautiful
I have been here thirteen years and before each visit - I have only had two - I am jittery and check my bank balance to ensure I can afford a micro station, but on each visit after te SPANC chappie does what he does, he comes back with ‘everything is perfect’ indicating I can go out and buy another car instead of a microstation 
So I concur with everyone else. Just wait.
I am not sure if this has anything to do with it, but prior to each visit I do have the fosse emptied…
Thanks for your reply, I’ve ordered a Porsche
1 Like
Good advice, thanks. We have a month to get organised
Our fosse was emptied yesterday, first time since we bought the house in October 2014. (We are only here part-time and it is a big tank!)
There were a couple of things ‘wrong’ when we bought but those were easily rectified. Had our first SPANK inspection in January 2024 . Surprise (not) it still doesn’t conform but we were told that buying when we did we fall between 2 laws so ‘don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything’ !
1 Like