Tips for wastewater system owners:

Maintenance:

• Desludging must be undertaken by a professional contractor at least every 4 years (may vary based on system size and use)

• Aerobic wastewater systems must be serviced by a qualified professional contractor every 3 months (unless the manufacture advises otherwise)

• Ensure system vents have mosquito proof mesh, and all openings are sealed to prevent potential mosquito breeding.

Never dispose into systems:

• Sanitary products or flushable wet wipes

• Bleaches and disinfectants

• Oil, paint or flammable substances

• Pool or spa backwash water

• Food scraps and cooking oils

• Excessive laundry wash water that overloads a system’s capacity.

Ensure:

• Laundry loads are spread over the week

• Stormwater is directed away from wastewater systems and disposal areas

• ‘Septic safe’ cleaning and personal care products are used

• Water saving appliances are installed

• Wastewater systems are used in accordance with manufacturers’ manuals.

On-site wastewater management for residents | SA Health

• Showers and toilets may not be draining

• Effluent water is ponding on the surface of the effluent disposal area

• Odours are coming from the tank or the disposal area.

• Age of the system: Overtime your system may no longer be working as it should and owners should expect the life cycle of the system to be between 15-40 years depending on use and maintenance

• Over capacity use: Newer domestic systems vary in design, but generally are suitable for up to 6 occupants in a house. Systems can become overloaded by adding new wastewater connections such as spa baths, excessive water flow from laundries, and additional guests or residents

• Chemicals: Bleaches and many other cleaning chemicals can kill off good bacteria that allow an onsite wastewater system to work correctly

• Failing soils: Over time, soils that absorb effluent tend to get blocked, especially clay soils

• Blockages: Tree roots or other materials may enter and block the system

• Mechanical breakdowns: This occurs when aerobic wastewater systems have failing pumps and aerators

• Poor maintenance: This applies mostly to aerobic wastewater treatment systems. If an aerobic tank is not serviced as required, the system won’t work effectively. This may cause untreated effluent and system damage over time

• Damaged disposal system: This applies to irrigation or soakage areas with damaged or missing sprinklers, or damaged pipes and components

• Tank is full of solid waste: This occurs when tanks are not desludged.

Septic tanks

Contact your local plumber for advice or engage a septic tank plumbing contractor to desludge your tank.

Aerobic wastewater systems

Contact your service provider and ensure your system is serviced every 3 months. In addition, your local plumber can provide advice.

• Your aerobic wastewater treatment system must be serviced every three months by a licensed service contractor

• All wastewater system tanks need to be pumped out every four years

• Fixed irrigation disposal systems must have evenly distributed sprayers or drippers located in accordance with your Council wastewater approval and wastewater site plan. Open-ended pipework is not permitted

• Effluent must not pond on the surface. Residents and visitors who are exposed to effluent are at risk of gastroenteritis and other illnesses

It is common for owners to change or alter their wastewater systems due to:

• System replacement

• Irrigation area relocation

• Building extensions

• New fixtures such as spa baths

• Failed drainage replacement

Contact your service provider or plumber for advice. All plumbing installations and wastewater works must be undertaken by a licensed registered plumber.

Generally, an application must be lodged and approved by Council.

Call 08 8256 0333

Email [email protected]

For new or altered on-site wastewater systems, an application must be submitted with:

• Underfloor plumbing layout plan

• Wastewater engineers report

• Wastewater site plan designed by the wastewater engineer

• Payment of the wastewater application fees (fees may vary and Council will issue an invoice after the application is lodged)

Council must be notified at least 24 hours before the installation of the following wastewater works:

• Installation of underfloor plumbing

• Installation of main sewer drains

• Installation of septic tank / aerobic wastewater treatment system

• Installation of soakage trenches / irrigation disposal system

A Certificate of Compliance (COC) and an ‘as constructed’ plan must be provided to Council at the completion of the installation.

Onsite Wastewater Application Form

Wastewater Engineers list

SA Health have developed the On-site Wastewater Code to provide information for manufacturers, engineers, local councils, plumbers, property owners etc to meet the requirements of the legislation for suitable design and approval.

South Australian Public Health (Wastewater)Regulations 2013

Call 08 8256 0333

Email [email protected]