An on-site wastewater management system (OSSM) treats and disposes of household wastewater on properties that are not connected to reticulated sewer. This can include wastewater from toilets, showers, sinks and laundries, and the system must suit your site conditions and household use.

To install one, you generally need:

–          a site-specific wastewater assessment and system design

–          local council approval where required in NSW

–          qualified professionals to install, inspect and service the system where relevant.

You will typically need approval in NSW if your property is not connected to sewer and you are:

·         building a new home on a non-sewered property

·         extending or renovating an existing home where wastewater loads may change

·         upgrading, replacing or altering an existing septic, AWTS or other OSSM system

Documents commonly required for approval in NSW include:

–          a compliant Wastewater Assessment Report, also called an On-site Sewage Management Report, Effluent Report or, in some cases, a wastewater-related Geotechnical Report*

–          the NSW Health Accreditation Certificate for the treatment unit you propose to install, where applicable

–          any additional plans, forms and supporting information required through the NSW Planning Portal and your local council

* It is important not to confuse a Geotechnical Report for wastewater with a ‘Site/Soil Classification Report’ which is required to inform the design of the engineering of footings for buildings. These are very different reports. We can help you understand the difference and refer you to expert professionals.

An on-site wastewater management report usually assesses:

·         soil type and soil suitability for effluent disposal

·         site constraints such as slope, drainage, vegetation and available land area

·         expected wastewater loading based on the dwelling and likely occupancy

·         required setbacks and buffers from waterways, drainage lines, boundaries and buildings

·         the most suitable treatment system and land application area for the site

The report should address relevant council requirements and applicable NSW regulations.

It should also include a clear site plan showing the proposed treatment system, disposal or irrigation areas, and key setbacks so the system can be installed correctly and assessed efficiently by council.

Councils generally expect the report to be prepared by an appropriately qualified consultant with experience in on-site wastewater assessment and local requirements.

When comparing wastewater consultants, look for:

–          experience preparing wastewater reports in your local council area

–          a clear website, service information and an easy quote process

–          a detailed scope of services provided with a quote so you know exactly what is included

–          appropriate professional insurance and current certificates where relevant

–          real people, direct contact details and responsive communication

The process usually starts with obtaining a quote, confirming the scope of work and organising a site inspection. The consultant then carries out the site and soil assessment, prepares the report and site plan, and provides the supporting documents needed for your application.

Once the report is complete, you can submit the required documentation through the NSW Planning Portal or as otherwise required by your local council.

The land area required depends on the daily wastewater load, soil conditions, system type, site limitations and local council requirements.

A wastewater consultant can determine the treatment and dispersal area needed for your property and identify practical options for smaller, sloping or otherwise constrained sites.

No. These systems must be designed by qualified professionals and installed by appropriately licensed contractors, with approvals and inspections completed as required.

In NSW, many councils require an approval to operate, regular inspections and ongoing servicing for some systems. AWTS units, in particular, often require routine maintenance under a service contract.

Common reasons include:

– Non-compliant or incomplete Wastewater reports

– Inconsistencies between dwelling plans and the proposed wastewater system design

– Poor system selection or unsuitable land application design

– Incorrect calculations for wastewater loading or disposal area sizing

– Insufficient setbacks from waterways, drainage lines, buildings or property boundaries.

The cost varies depending on site complexity, location and the amount of investigation required. Pricing usually reflects:

• site inspection, soil assessment and land capability review
• mapping of site constraints and identification of suitable treatment and disposal areas
• preparation of the wastewater report, site plan and supporting documentation
• you should also allow for separate local council fees as part of the approval process.

We provide a written quote and Scope of Services within 24hrs – go to our request for quote on our Homepage.