On-Site Sewage Management
Last modified: December 18, 2008 - 2:21 PM
Clean, healthy waterways are really important - good water quality is essential to the aquaculture and tourism industries in Port Stephens, as well as the quality of life enjoyed by its residents.
Sewage management systems that are failing, poorly maintained or are inappropriate to a particular location can pose serious risks to public health and can lead to pollution of waterways and groundwater aquifers.
To ensure the protection of the natural environment and public health, Council has implemented an On Site Sewage Management Program.
Overview
There are over 4600 Onsite Sewage Management Systems in use in the Port Stephens Local Government Area. System types include septic tanks with adsorption trenches or evapotranspiration beds, septic tanks that pump to sewer, aerated wastewater treatment systems, pump to sewer systems and effluent pump-outs.
All surface waterways and groundwaters can be potentially affected by poorly operating onsite wastewater treatment systems. While a well-maintained onsite system can be used to effectively treat and dispose of human effluent, systems that are poorly maintained and not operating well can introduce high levels of nutrients, micro-organisms and other pollutants to our waterways.
Nutrients can cause excessive aquatic and marine algae blooms and weed growth, while bacteria, viruses and other organisms can be harmful to human health, the environment and aquaculture industries.
The Onsite Sewage Management Program
The Port Stephens Council's On-site Sewage Management Program has been operating since March 2000 following legislative changes by the State Government.
Council employs three (3) full-time staff to run the program which is self funding from associated fees. The program consists of several areas of operation underpinned by an On-Site Sewage Management Strategy. Areas of operation include:
- Approval to Operate: The Local Government Act, 1993 prescribes the operation of a system of sewage management as an activity that requires an Approval to Operate from a local Council. As such every property operating an on-site system now requires an approval to operate. This approval requires renewing annually for which a feee is payable. The fee is now conveniently included in the property rate notice. Council maintains a database of properties operating On-site systems.
- Inspection Program: Existing systems are inspected by a Council Officer on a regular basis to ensure that they are operating correctly and being maintained in a satisfactory condition. Audited systems are inspected on either a 1, 2, 3 or 5 year frequency and then categorised as low, medium or high risk, depending upon sensitivity of the location, system type and the overall condition of the system. Property owners are provided with prior notification of each inspection with inspection results forwarded to them following the inspection.
- New Systems: The Local Government Act, 1993 prescribes the installation, alteration or construction of a waste treatment device or human waste storage facility as an activity that requires the prior approval of the local Council. Before a system of sewage treatment or storage facility can be installed an application must be submitted to Council for assessment and determination. Application forms and other documents area available from this web site.
- Pollution Control: Council's wastewater staff perform investigations into pollution incidents involving failing on-site systems. Hefty financial penalties apply to any person(s) deliberately causing pollution of waters or lands.
- Research and Monitoring: Council in partnership with external organisations such as the University of Newcastle conduct research projects to better understand how systems operate and how they impact on the environment. These reseacrh projects provide valuable information which Council uses to evaluate the On-site Sewage Management Program. Council also undertakes regular routine and event based monitoring of surface waters to identify sources of pollution from various activities.
Contact details
Environmental Health Officer
02 4980 0255 (ph)
02 4987 3612 (fax)
council@portstephens.nsw.gov.au
|
