On-Site Sewage

Management (OSM)

OVERVIEW

WELCOME

• Introduction

• Amenities

• Emergency procedures

AGENDA

• Council’s Role in OSM – Daniel

• Operation, Maintenance and Inspections – Matt

• Future Direction – Tait

• Questions, Discussion and Feedback

WHAT IS ON-SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT?

The management of any human waste

treatment device that does not dispose

directly to sewer

BACKGROUND

• Wallis Lake Hepatitis A Oyster Outbreak

– Traced to failing OSM systems

• The incident led to an:

– Increase in Regulation

– Increase in Environment and Health Standards

LEGISLATION AND REGULATION

• Local Government Act 1993

– Installation/modification approvals

– Operational approvals

– Power of Entry

• Local Government (General) Regulation 2005

• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997

• SEPP62 - Priority Oyster Aquaculture Areas

REGISTRATION, APPROVAL TO INSTALL AND TO

OPERATE

• Council maintains a register of on-site systems

– Currently about 5500 systems

• Council approvals

– Approval to install – required for new systems or

modifications of existing

– Approval to Operate (ATO) – like registering a

vehicle

NEW PROPERTY OWNERS – OPERATING THE

SYSTEM IN MY NAME

• Three months for new owners to apply for an

Approval to Operate

• Council will send reminders to new owners

• An application is required, we cannot update with the

notice of sale

PREPURCHASE INSPECTIONS – HAVE YOUR

SYSTEM CHECKED BEFORE YOU BUY

• Pre-purchase inspections are not required, but they:

• Can identify potential problems with the system prior to

purchase

• Give a piece of mind the system is registered and

operational

• Include the approval to operate fee required for new

owners

MY SEPTIC

OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND

INSPECTIONS

HOW DO SEPTICS WORK?

AERATED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

LAND APPLICATION AREA

LAND APPLICATION AREA

INSPECTIONS / AUDITS – WHAT WE LOOK FOR

• Tank integrity and seal

• Risks to Public Health (disease transmission)

• Risks to the Environment (pollution)

• Compliance with legislative requirements

• Stormwater diversion

• Signs of failure

• Overflow Relief Gully

REASONS SYSTEMS FAIL

• Age of system

• Too much sludge or scum in tank

• Too much water entering tank / tank too full

• Harsh chemicals entering system

• Animals/vehicles on disposal area

• Blockages • Sanitary products

• “flushable” wipes

• nappies

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO REPAIR / UPGRADE?

• High risk systems will have to be addressed quicker

than low risk systems

• Depends on what has to be repaired / upgraded

• We will try to work with the owner to get an agreed

upon time frame (must be reasonable)

WHAT CAN I DO?

• Perform regular check-ups

– Check for: • Odours

• Damp soggy ground

• Lots of dark green grass

– Check taps, toilets and drains • Not leaking/running

• Not slow to drain

– De-sludge every 3-5 years

– Clean effluent filter (if one is present)

NOTIFICATION OF INSPECTION – HOW DO I KNOW

WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN?

FUTURE DIRECTION

The Septic Safe Program

• Every Council in NSW is required to have a septic

safe program.

• Most Councils use a risk based inspection program

• Some charge per inspection

• Some charge per system

• Some have a rates based charge

• A few Councils don’t inspect due to the lower risks

PMHC - Rates charge and random inspections.

SERVICE REVIEW

• Review of the On-Site Sewage Management program

has identified;

• Policy requires updating

• Risk-based inspection program advised

• Tiered fee structure advised

• Per system charge advised

• PMHC are cheap compared to other Councils

• Not meeting service requirements

– Establishment of extra positions/resources

POLICY – WHY HAVE ONE AND WHAT DOES IT

MEAN FOR ME?

• Increased inspections

• Tiered fee structures

• Self-assessment option

• Upgrades & Installation

requirements

RISK RATINGS – HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE

RISK OF A SYSTEM?

• Risk ratings • High

• Medium

• Low

• Ratings are based on: • Age and type of system

• Wastewater volume

• Distances to:

– Ecologically sensitive areas

– Waterways (permanent and intermittent)

– Boundaries

FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEPTIC – I PAY A

FEE WITH MY RATES, WHERE DOES IT GO?

• Annual approval to operate

• Routine auditing of systems

• Administration

• Register maintenance

• AWTS signage

• Complaint investigations

• Environmental monitoring

• Education & EHO’s

SMALL TOWN SEWER SCHEME UPDATE

The construction of the 3 Villages Sewerage

Schemes (i.e. Comboyne, Long Flat & Telegraph

Point) are currently on hold pending advice regarding

funding from the State Government. It is expected

that information will be provided to the October or

November 2015 Ordinary Council Meeting to advise

village residents and the wider community of new

completion date.

Questions & Feedback

PLEASE COMPLETE BOTH

FEEDBACK FORMS BEFORE

YOU LEAVE

For further information on On-site Sewage

Management, visit our website:

http://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/OSM

IMAGE AND CONTENT REFERENCES

• Local Government Act 1993 title image; accessed via NSW Legislation website:

www.legislation.nsw.gov.au

• Bradley, Bill; ‘Builder Bill’ Overflow Relief Gully, Gully Trap, Or Plain Old ORG

http://www.builderbill-diy-help.com/relief-gully.html

• Ministry of Health (NSW); NSW Health Advisory Note 5

• Office of Local Government (NSW); “Silver bullet” Environmental & Health

Protection Guidelines; On-site Sewage Management for Single Households

• Office of Local Government (NSW); The easy septic guide

• Smith, N. (unpublished images) BEST – Building & Environmental Services

Today

• Sydney Catchment Authority; Types of treatment and application (disposal)

systems http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/catchment/living/wastewater/systems