|
|
 |
Home>Council Services>Health Services>Septic Tanks
An application to install or alter a domestic sewage disposal system must be made with the Council.
In the case of building a new home, a Septic Tank Permit will be required before a building permit will be issued.
|  | | |
 Issuing of a Permit to Install
Site Inspection
Inspection of Installation
Issuing of a Permit to Use
Plans and Specifications
Compliance Requirements
EPA Victoria Certified Systems
Specific Requirements for Installation of an Alternative System
| Issuing of a Permit to Install | | | After an application has been assessed and approved, a permit to install will be issued. No installation works should be carried out before the permit to install has been issued.  Top
| |
| Site Inspection | | | A site inspection will be carried out by Council prior to issuing a permit to install. It may be useful to request a joint inspection prior to lodging the application to discuss site issues or possible alternative systems. To arrange an onsite inspection prior to installation, please call Council's Customer Relations Team. Top
| |
| Inspection of Installation | | An inspection of the septic tank installation will be carried out by Council's Environmental Health Office to ensure compliance with permit conditions. Items that are assessed during the inspection include :- Size and installation of the Septic Tank
- The construction, siting and length of effluent distribution lines
- Provision of an overflow relief gully
- The quality of the aggregate for the distribution lines.
To facilitate this inspection, the lid of the septic tank and distribution lines should remain uncovered until after the inspection. Inspections are carried out during normal business hours and 24 hours notice is required.
Council will require a copy of the 'Certificate of Compliance', issued by a licenced plumber, stating that the system has been installed in compliance with the relevent regulations. Top
| |
| Issuing of a Permit to Use | | | Following the inspection of the installation of your system, and the provision of the 'Certificate of Compliance', Council will issue a permit to use the septic system. This permit will be required when obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy. Top
| |
| Plans and Specifications | | A plan of the proposed septic tank system must indicate:- Location of house in relation to property boundaries.
- Exact location of all plumbing fixtures and fittings.
- Location of all buildings or proposed buildings, water tanks, swimming pools, driveways, excavations, stormwater drains, water pipes, easement drains, streams, dams and water courses.
- Fall of land in vicinity of effluent disposal area.
- Position of septic tank and layout of effluent disposal area.
Top
| |
| Compliance Requirements |
| All plumbing work to be carried out in accordance with the Victorian Water Supply and Sewerage Plumbing Regulations 1994 and AS3500. Electrical work is to comply with the requirements of United Energy. | | The inlet to the Septic Tank shall be of 100mm sewer quality uPVC, adequately protected from damage and sloping not less than 1 in 60. | | The inlet drain shall have an overflow relief gully (ORG) at least 150mm below the outlet of the lowest fixture. | | Install the Septic Tank at least 300mm lower than the lowest fixture, and fill with water. Tank inspection openings and distribution pit lids are to be airtight, childproof and finished at ground level. | | Drainage pipe downstream of the tank may be 90mm HD uPVC where there is at least 300mm cover (otherwise 100mm uPVC sewer pipe to be used). Inspection openings are required at changes in direction and every 30m. Where possible drains should be laid clear of hard paving. | | Bent to fit the contour of the natural ground and level along low edge. | | Effluent disposal trenches should be located: - With at least 3m of undisturbed ground between each trench at their closest point.
- Not closer than 6m on the high side or 3m on the low side of any building or boundary of allotment.
- In an area not subject to vehicular traffic.
- Not closer than 6m on the high side or 3m on the low side from swimming or wading pools.
- Not closer than 3m to any water supply pipe, gas pipe, underground power line, telecom cable, stormwater drain or any other pipeline not being part of the approved system.
- Not closer than 15m from any cutting or escarpment at which the effluent is likely to emerge.
- Not closer than 15m from any underground water tank, bore or well less than 20m deep which is used for domestic supply.
- Not closer than 60m to the bank of any surface waters, 100m from a declared water catchment area, 200m from a supply channel or 300m from a domestic water supply reservoir.
Note: For sand filters or aeration systems, show the method of disposal of final effluent.
|
|
| Top
|
| EPA Victoria Certified Systems | |
The components of your septic tank system must have a Certificate of Approval from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA)as part of the permit to issued by Council.
There are numerous systems which have been approved by the EPA for the treatment and disposal of domestic waste water.
For further information please visit EPA Victoria Website.
Top
| |
| Specific Requirements for Installation of an Alternative System | | - Reed beds
- Composting toilets
- Secondary treatment plants
- It should be noted that Council will only approve systems which achieve full on-site retention of all waste water. Any systems which involves off-site discharge will not be approved.
For information regarding the above alternative system, please contact Council's Environmental Health Officer on 5760 2600 or email Council. Top
| |
| |
|
 |