» On-Site Sewage Management (OSM)
» Easy Septic Guide
» Looking to purchase a property with On-Site Sewage Management System (OSM)?
» What Approvals are required for On-site Management Systems?
» Quarterly Inspections - Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS)
» Decommissioning Sewage Management Facilities
On-site Sewage Management (OSM)
On-site Sewage Management Systems (OSM) allow for the safe and healthy disposal of wastewater in non-sewered areas. Commonly installed systems include aerated waswater treatment systems (AWTS). Each system operator or owner is responsible for the safe and hygenic performance of their system.
View a list of OSM's accredited for use in NSW.
A poorly maintained or damaged OSM can harm the environment by polluting waters. A risk of the spread of diseases to humans and an increase in the incidence of vermin may also result.
Quarterly Inspections of Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems.
Landowners with an aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS) must have a contract in place for servicing the system every 3 months to ensure the system is treating effluent effectively. Only a Council recognised service agent may be used or a representative of the system manufacturer.
Links and Resources
Council's On-site Sewage Management Code
Council's On-site Technical Installation Guidelines
NSW Health - Types of wastewater and disposal methods.
NSW Health - OSM Guidelines, Advisory Notes and Register of Accredited Sewage Management Facilities.
DLG - Environmental & Health Protection Guidelines - On-site Sewage Management for Single Households
NSW Health Advisory Note - For information on Destruction, Removal or Reuse of Septic Tanks, Collection Wells, Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems and other Sewage Management Facility Vessels.
Further Information
For further information, please contact Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's On-Site Sewage Management Officer on (02) 6581 8111 or by email to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
The Easy Septic Guide
The Easy Septic Guide (941KB) is a short guide that answers common questions such as, types of systems, how to check system, easy maintenance tips and planting in disposal areas
or perhaps one of the following individual guides:
- The Easy Septic Guide: General Information (185KB)
- The Easy Septic Guide: Buying a new OSM (75KB)
- The Easy Septic Guide: System maintenance (56KB)
- The Easy Septic Guide: Plants suitable for effluent disposal areas (20KB)
- The Easy Septic Guide: Trouble shooting for pump-out septic systems (43KB)
- The Easy Septic Guide: Trouble shooting for absorption trenches (70KB)
- The Easy Septic Guide: Trouble shooting for effluent irrigation (AWTS)(47KB)
Purchasing a Property with On-site Sewage Management System
Council has a couple of options available to assist new or prospective owners with purchasing a property with an onsite sewage management system.
Pre-purchase Report
Council can inspect and report on the status and current performance of the sewage management system with emphasis on repairs, maintenance or upgrade that may be required for continued approval to operate. Please refer to Fees and Charges for the current fee.
Written Response - Septic System Registration Letter
An on-site sewage management system written response gives a brief summary of Council records on existing on-site sewage systems. It constitutes formal acknowledgement that Council has registered the OSMS on the Council database.
Joint Pre-purchase/Registration Letter Form under Forms S68
Approvals Required for Operation of an On-site Sewage Management System
The Local Government Act 1993 requires that On-site Sewage Management System (OSM) owners must have a current "Approval to Operate" certificate for their system.
Existing system
If you have an existing system that is not currently registered with Council you must submit an application to obtain approval to operate. An inspection will be carried out to determine what works, if any, are needed to ensure that the system meets legislated requirements.
Application for Approval to Operate (under Forms - S68).
Existing system - New Owner
"Approval to Operate" does not go with the property. New owners must obtain approval in their own right by making application within two months of transfer of ownership. If application is made within two months the system may be operated until the application is determined.
New system or Upgrade
All work to install or alter an OSM must have the prior approval of Council. The application for approval must be accompanied by a Waste Water Report prepared by a qualified and Council recognised Waste Water Consultant or Waste Water Engineer. The Waste Water Report will need to address Concil's OSM Code, AS 1547:2000 and any relevant guidelines and Ministry of Health requirements.
The following information is required with an application to install an on-site sewage management system:
1. Completion of all details of the Council Application Forms
Please complete the forms below and note that unless all sections of the DE10 form are completed and the required report attached, the application will not be accepted.
2. Application to include:
(a) Waste Water Report from a recognised consultant
The information contained in this Report must meet the requirements of Council Code: "On-Site Sewage Management for Domestic Premises" and AS/NZS 1547:2000 and in doing so the Report must address the following points:
- An estimation of expected daily flow and the basis for this calculation,
- Soil Permeability and Site Assessment Data,
- Number, location and data for all test pits,
- Identified Site & Soil limitations including any recommendations regarding enhancement techniques to vary unsatisfactory soil conditions,
- Identification of seeps, weeps and inherently wet areas on the site, where surface and/or subsurface disposal of effluent is not applicable,
- A list of the types of on-site sewage management systems that the Report deems as appropriate for the site,
- A statement of options that have been deemed on the basis of the findings of the Report as not appropriate for the site,
- Effluent disposal system recommendations including design bases and details,
- Calculation tables for effluent disposal area design indicating the parameters used for climate data including quoting the reference source,
- A plan of the site, showing boundaries and neighbouring dwellings or other sensitive receptors,
- Plan giving the site's general location,
- A plan showing the layout of the recommended disposal areas on the site including proposed lines, distributors, valves, storage requirements,
(b) Details of the Effluent Disposal System
(i) A site plan that clearly shows:-
- The outline of the boundaries of the site
- The use of the adjoining property on each side (eg rural dwelling, road, reserve, etc
- The location of all buildings proposed to be constructed on the property including all proposed: pools, outdoor spas, recreational areas, paths, gardens and landscaping, and sheds.
(ii) Plan of the effluent disposal area
- The size of the effluent disposal area is not to be less than that recommended by the Geo-Technical report for the selected option, unless approved through prior discussions with Council.
- When providing this information, refer to the required buffer set backs.
(iii) Details of the equipment to be used
- Information on type of surface sprays, their number and their location, or the details of sub-surface disposal methods including the manner of distribution to the sub-surface,
- Details of distributing the effluent evenly to all parts of the disposal area,
- Where raised garden beds are required, construction details of the beds, method of effluent disposal, including the number of distribution devices must be provided.
Quarterly Inspections - Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS)
Landowners with an aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS) must have a contract in place for servicing the system every 3 months to ensure the system is treating effluent effectively. Only a Council recognised service agent may be used or a representative of the system manufacturer.
Decommissioning Sewage Management Facilities
For information on Destruction, Removal or Reuse of Septic Tanks, Collection Wells, Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems and other Sewage Management Facility Vessels, please read the following NSW Health Advisory Note
