Environmental Health - Onsite Sewage Management Systems

If you own or rent a house that is not connected to the sewage system provided by Sydney Water, you will have some type of on-site sewage management system on the property.

The systems listed below provide storage, treatment and disposal of household wastewater and are all classified as on-site sewage management systems and require licensing and inspections to be carried out by Council.

• Septic tank
• Aerated wastewater treatment system
• Holding tank with pump out
• Wet composting toilet
• Recirculating sand filter system
• Grey water treatment system
• Cesspit
• Pan
• Waterless composting system
• Septic closet

On-site sewage management includes any other activity carried out for the purpose of holding or processing, or reusing or otherwise disposing of sewage or by-products of sewage on a premises.

Request a Service - On Site Sewage Management System

Council’s strategy for onsite waste water management deals with registering, inspecting and approving waste water systems in Warringah.

 

The inappropriate use and/or disposal of wastewater may lead to:

• the spread of disease by bacteria, viruses, parasites and other organisms in the wastewater
• contamination of ground water and surface water
• degradation of soil and vegetation
• loss of amenity caused by odour and insects

Accordingly, on-site sewage management systems must be effectively and correctly managed to ensure there are no harmful impacts to public health and to the environment.

Approval to Install

An Approval to Install is required to be obtained under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 for all new wastewater systems that are installed or existing systems that are modified. The applicant is required to comply with the conditions of approval.

Approval to Operate

An Approval to Operate is required to be obtained for the operation of all wastewater systems under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993.  This includes existing systems and systems that are checked by an independent service provider.  Council issues an approval to operate based on a risk assessment of the system. The applicant is required to comply with the conditions of approval.

More information on onsite sewage managment systems can be found at the following links.

• Responsibilities of owner/occupiers, service providers and Council
• Troubleshooting

Making a complaint or enquiry about On-Site Sewage Management Systems

If you are experiencing problems with the operation of an on-site sewage management system on a property in Warringah, please contact Council.

• Request a Service - On Site Sewage Management System or call 9942 2111.

The personal information that you provide is confidential and will not be disclosed without your consent.

• Complaints about pollution, contamination of water or spray drift should be reported to Council urgently.
• Complaints about odour problems are also investigated as this may be an early sign of mismanagement or system failure.

Useful Links

• NSW Health - wastewater and sewage
• Warringah Council onsite waste water strategy
• Department of Local Government  - The Easy Septic Guide
• Department of Local Government - on-site sewage management  
• DECCW
• Water 4 Life (NSW Government)
• Interim NSW Guidelines for Management of Private Recycled Water Schemes   
• Environmental and Health Protection Guidelines - Onsite Sewage Management for Single Households
• Australian Standard 1547
• Warringah Council's Compliance and Enforcement Policy