Shoalhaven City Council On-site Sewage Management Assessment Sheet 15/16 - November 26th

INFORMATION TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO INSPECTION

• Property Address

• Trim File Number

• PROPERTY OWNER/S NAME

SUMMARY TO BE COMPLETED AT END OF INSPECTION

• Date and Time at start of inspection

  Date

• REASON FOR INSPECTION

  Select Renewal inspection Re-inspection - Follow up Inspection prior to Penalty Infringement Notice

  • Renewal inspection
  • Re-inspection - Follow up
  • Inspection prior to Penalty Infringement Notice

• Number of systems on the property

  1

  2

  3

  4

• System Type

  Select Septic Tank Trench Pump out AWTS Spray Irrigation Sub- surface Irrigation Greywater (laundry water) Biological Filtration System composting Toilets Ecomax Mound

  • Septic Tank
  • Trench
  • Pump out
  • AWTS
  • Spray Irrigation
  • Sub- surface Irrigation
  • Greywater (laundry water)
  • Biological Filtration System
  • composting Toilets
  • Ecomax
  • Mound

• Disposal Method

  Select Trench Pumpout Spray Irrigation Sub-surface Irrigation Mound Evapo-transpiration Beds Pop-up sprinklers

  • Trench
  • Pumpout
  • Spray Irrigation
  • Sub-surface Irrigation
  • Mound
  • Evapo-transpiration Beds
  • Pop-up sprinklers

• Risk Ranking

  High

  Medium

  Low

• Inspection Result

  Select 5 year approval 1 year approval FAIL LETTER Works satisfactory - works may proceed Works unsatisfactory - further works required Local Government order Issue operational Approval with conditions

  • 5 year approval
  • 1 year approval
  • FAIL
  • LETTER
  • Works satisfactory - works may proceed
  • Works unsatisfactory - further works required
  • Local Government order
  • Issue operational Approval with conditions

• Inspecting Officer

  Select Jason Haig Emma Clunas Alison McVey Melissa Moyle Shane Keys Tom Roose Andrew Gibbes Thelma Marr Greg Howarth Catherine Watts Nathaly Jones

  • Jason Haig
  • Emma Clunas
  • Alison McVey
  • Melissa Moyle
  • Shane Keys
  • Tom Roose
  • Andrew Gibbes
  • Thelma Marr
  • Greg Howarth
  • Catherine Watts
  • Nathaly Jones

• Conditions for fail letter

  Select 1. Warning signs must be installed on the property. 2. Submit a plan to Council for a second irrigation area. Primary and secondary effluent disposal areas should be established etc 3. The application area must be sited at least 6 metres from down gradient boundary, 15 metres from the dwelling etc 4. Surface spray irrigation must not be used on fruit trees and vegetable plants. 5. All irrigation lines must be laid underground with a minimum 100mm ground cover. 6. Sprinklers must be attached to the irrigation line that throw no more than 2 metres and produce coarse droplets with a maximum plume height of 400mm above finished ground level. 7. The irrigation area must be away from recreation areas 8. Al pipework and fittings must comply with all parts of AS 1477 9. Instal additional sprinklers in the irrigation area. 10. Relace the inspection cap to prevent stormwater ingress and vermin from entering the tank and breeding. 11. Ensure that all sprinklers used for irrigation of treated effluent are purple. 12. Ensure that all hose on the ground surface used for irrigation of treated effluent is purple. 13. Slash and remove cut grass from the effluent disposal area. 14. The septic tank needs to be de-sludged. 15. Provide a dedicated area free from livestock for the absorption trench. 17. To help ensure the efficient operation of your system the following additional actions are recommended:

  • 1. Warning signs must be installed on the property.
  • 2. Submit a plan to Council for a second irrigation area. Primary and secondary effluent disposal areas should be established etc
  • 3. The application area must be sited at least 6 metres from down gradient boundary, 15 metres from the dwelling etc
  • 4. Surface spray irrigation must not be used on fruit trees and vegetable plants.
  • 5. All irrigation lines must be laid underground with a minimum 100mm ground cover.
  • 6. Sprinklers must be attached to the irrigation line that throw no more than 2 metres and produce coarse droplets with a maximum plume height of 400mm above finished ground level.
  • 7. The irrigation area must be away from recreation areas
  • 8. Al pipework and fittings must comply with all parts of AS 1477
  • 9. Instal additional sprinklers in the irrigation area.
  • 10. Relace the inspection cap to prevent stormwater ingress and vermin from entering the tank and breeding.
  • 11. Ensure that all sprinklers used for irrigation of treated effluent are purple.
  • 12. Ensure that all hose on the ground surface used for irrigation of treated effluent is purple.
  • 13. Slash and remove cut grass from the effluent disposal area.
  • 14. The septic tank needs to be de-sludged.
  • 15. Provide a dedicated area free from livestock for the absorption trench.
  • 17. To help ensure the efficient operation of your system the following additional actions are recommended:

• Comments

• INSTRUCTIONS: Undertake the desktop assessment prior to the site visit. Use the snipping tool to insert relevant GIS images and any documents from TRIM (ie site plan, previous inspections or wastewater reports)

• AWTS CONDITIONS
  
  
  1. Warning signs must be installed on the property to highlight the reuse of effluent water. The warning signs must state:
  Recycled Water
  Avoid Contact
  DO NOT DRINK
  
  The lettering must be visible from a distance of 3 metres. These signs are generally available from your service contractor;
  2. Submit a plan to Council for a second irrigation area. Primary and secondary effluent disposal areas should be established to alternate the distribution of the effluent and to permit the resting of each disposal area in the event of overloading and/or maintenance. Another advantage is that the two irrigation lines may be shorter than one long line, reducing the work load on your pump. Please note that the prior approval of Council is required before any works are commenced.
  3. The application area must be sited at least 6 metres from any down gradient boundary, 15 metres from the residence and 3 metres from any other boundary. In addition, a buffer distance of 100 metres to permanent surface waters and 40 metres to other waters must be maintained.
  4. Surface spray irrigation must not be used on fruit trees and vegetable plants. Sub-surface irrigation may be used on fruit trees only;
  5. All irrigation lines must be laid underground with a minimum 100mm ground cover;
  6. Sprinklers must be attached to the irrigation line that throw no more than 2 metres and produce coarse droplets, with a maximum plume height of 400 mm above finished ground level;
  7. The irrigation area must be away from recreation areas and regular pedestrian traffic.
  8. All pipework and fitting must comply with all parts of:
  
  • Australian Standard 1477 - UPVC pipes and fittings for pressure applications; or
  • Australian Standard 2698.2 - Polyethylene rural pipe
  
  9. Install two (2) additional sprinklers in the irrigation area;
  10. Replace the inspection cap to prevent stormwater ingress and vermin (eg mosquitoes) from entering the tank and breeding.
  
  To help ensure the efficient operation of your system the following additional actions are recommended:
  
  i. reducing the volume of wastewater produced through the use of water-saving devices (low-flow shower roses, dual flush toilets)
  ii. remove or reduce the volume of oils, fats, food scraps, disinfectants and chemicals disposed of via the septic system
   
  SEPTIC TANK AND ABSORPTION TRENCH CONDITIONS
  
  
  1. Slash and remove cut grass from the effluent disposal area.
  2. Replace the inspection cap(s) on the septic tank to prevent stormwater ingress and vermin (eg mosquitoes) from entering the tank and breeding.
  3. Secure the septic tank vent to prevent vermin (eg mosquitoes) from entering the tank and breeding.
  4. Cap the exposed pipe to prevent stormwater ingress and vermin (eg mosquitoes) from entering the tank and breeding
  5. Clean Out Required
  The septic tank may need to be de-sludged.
  Council provides the community with a contracted service for the cleanout of septic tanks and this is managed by Shoalhaven Water. Should you choose to use this service, please complete and return the enclosed form with your payment to Shoalhaven Water.
  Alternatively, other providers outside of this contracted arrangement may be located in the local Yellow Pages directory. Please provide Council with a copy of your receipt of service from any such provider.
  
  6. Re-seal the septic tank to prevent stormwater ingress and vermin (eg mosquitoes) from entering the tank and breeding. Cement used to seal the lid should be able to be broken in the future to allow access to the septic tank.
  7. Re-seal the pre-clarification pit servicing the “grey-water” to prevent stormwater ingress and vermin (eg mosquitoes) from entering the pit and breeding. Cement should be able to be broken in the future to allow access to the pit.
  8. Repair or replace the lid of the grease trap.
  9. Clean out the grease trap.
  10. Re-direct stormwater away from the absorption trenches. Stormwater is not to be directed on to another property
  
  To help ensure the efficient operation of your system the following additional actions are recommended:
  
  iii. regular de-sludging of the septic tank, about every 3-5 years
  iv. reducing the volume of wastewater produced through the use of water-saving devices (low-flow shower roses, dual flush toilets)
  v. remove or reduce the volume of oils, fats, food scraps, disinfectants and chemicals disposed of via the septic system
  vi. provision of a dedicated area free from livestock for the absorption trench.
  
  

SITE INSPECTION

• Traveling to site - vehicle

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Entering/exiting vehicle

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Working outdoors, solar/UV radiation, heat stress or insect bite.

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Unrestrained dogs on site

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Moving vehicles or machinery on site

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Electric fencing

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Livestock present on property

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Remote area

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Other hazards

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• OK to continue inspection. OFFICERS SIGNATURE

  Sign

INSPECTION DETAILS

• PHOTO OF SEPTIC TANK

  Media

• PHOTO OF DISPOSAL AREA

  Media

TANKS

• Is the lid, manhole and inspection caps undamaged and in place?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the tank accessible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the tank undamaged?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sludge levels acceptable. Does not need a clean out.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• System Type

TYPE OF SYSTEM

• What type of system

  AWTS

  septic tank & trench

  Pump out

  Ecomax

  Composting Toilet

• Have service reports been sent to Council? (23)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system have quarterly maintenance by a service contractor?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the system operational at the time of inspection? (27)<br>Eg - chlorine tablets, UV lamp

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the irrigation line buried? (24)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• No garden hoses and fittings being used for irrigation? (30)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are irrigation warning signs present? (28)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there sufficient irrigation area? (25)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is effluent being evenly distributed? (29)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the effluent disposal area greater than 15 m to dwellings? (13)

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Is the effluent disposal area greater than 6 m up/3m down to driveways & property boundaries? (12)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the effluent disposal area greater than 3 m to paths and walkways? (14)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the effluent disposal area greater than 6 m to swimming pools? (15)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the surface drip or trickle irrigation area greater than 6 m up gradient/ 3 m down gradient to pools, property boundaries, driveways & buildings? (16)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the disposal area showing signs of stress? (33)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is trench performing ok?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is greywater being disposed of satisfactorily? (32)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If there is a grease trap, is it satisfactory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the absorption system greater than 12 m if up gradient/3m if down gradient to the property boundary? (17)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the effluent disposal area greater than 6 m up/ 3 m down to pools, driveways and buildings? (18)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the absorption area adequately isolated from livestock?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a pump-out contract? (35)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the operator have pump-out receipts? (37)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is greywater being disposed of satisfactorily? (38)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a draw line with a cam lock? (36)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If there is a grease trap, is it satisfactory? (31)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the mound dry and appear to be operating ok?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is stormwater diverted away from the mound? Eg via intercept drains, bunding etc

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the diverter and monitiring bores accessible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an external door, shute to collect the humus?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the fan operate continuously?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the compost humus used in an environmentally safe manner?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system appear to not require attention?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Buffer distances

• Is the effluent disposal area greater than 100 m to permanent surface waters? (9)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the effluent disposal area greater than 250 m to domestic groundwater? (10)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the effluent disposal area greater than 40 m to other waters (eg intermittent waterways, dams)? (11)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

SITE SPECIFIC ISSUES

• The site does not have any site specific issues eg. Surface rock, light access/evaporation potential, steep slope > 15%, heavy clays, small lot with limited onsite capacity, other (specify)

  Yes

  No

  N/A
DOES THE SYSTEM COMPLY WITH THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS?

• Does the system comply with the performance standards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system prevent the spread of disease by micro-organisms? (1)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system prevent the spread of foul odours? (2)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system prevent the contamination of water? (3)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system prevent the degradation of soil and vegetation? (4)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system discourage insects and vermin?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system minimise any adverse impacts on the amenity of the premises and surrounding lands?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system provide for the re-use of resources (including nutrients, organic matter and water?)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the system operated in accordance with the relevant operating specifications and procedures (if any)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the system operated in accordance with the approved layout and conditions of approval for the installation eg. Irrigation area, trench location etc?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system allow for the removal of any treated sewage (and any by-product of sewage) in a safe and sanitary manner?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Comments

• Time at end of inspection

  Date

• Site Plan - All On-site Effluent System Components Identified

  Drawing

• Signature

  Sign

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT ON-SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT

Why the need for an approval to operate?

• In 1997, an incident occurred where wastewater was found to be discharged into Wallis Lake, near Port Macquarie. The discharge came from a number of domestic septic tanks. As the Lake was used for aquaculture, an outbreak of Hepatitis A occurred, resulting in 444 people contracting the disease and one fatality.
  As a result, a review was undertaken and it found that councils were best placed to inspect and regulate the use of on-site sewage management system. Changes were made to the Local Government Act 1993 to require everyone with an on-site sewage management systems to obtain an approval to operate the system.
  The maximum time that an approval can be granted is five years and an approval is not transferable on the sale of a property.

Protecting your on-site sewage management system and effluent disposal area

• There are a number of simple things that you can do to protect your on-site sewage management system:
  • use a sink strainer to reduce waste reaching your septic tank;
  • clean the grease trap regularly (where fitted);
  • don’t discharge bleach, whiteners, nappy soakers etc into the system;
  • don’t discharge hygiene products, condoms, tampons, nappies and cotton buds into the system;
  • don’t use more than recommended amounts of disinfectants and detergents;
  • repair leaking taps and cisterns;
  • have the sludge pumped out every 4-5 years;
  • grow grass in your effluent disposal area and keep it regularly mown;
  • divert stormwater away from the area;
  • don’t drive or park vehicles over the area; and
  • keep livestock out of the area to avoid compacting of the soil.
  
  If the system becomes smelly, flush a cup of lime (calcium oxide) down the toilet each day for 7 days. This will reduce the pH and encourage bacterial growth, which reduces the odour.

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Failing system?

• If today’s inspection found that your system is not operating satisfactorily, it may not mean that you need to replace or upgrade your tank. Often the only work required is to repair or replace the effluent disposal area.
  Depending on the circumstances, Council may:
  • ask for work to be done;
  • ask you to submit details of work that you propose to do so that the system complies;
  • issue a Local Government Order to carry out work or submit details;
  • issue an Environmental Protection Notice under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997; or
  • take other regulatory action.

Designing an effluent disposal area

• The design of an effluent disposal system is based upon two key factors - the amount of wastewater generated by the household, and the soil type.
  WASTEWATER – the amount of wastewater that is generated by a household is generally determined to be 290 litres per bedroom (plus any study) per day for dwellings on mains water supply, and 230 litres per day for tank supply.
  SOIL – the type of soil is used to determine how much area is required to absorb the effluent produced by the household. The soil type is determined from 500 mm below the effluent disposal layer and is classified into one of six general categories: gravels & sands; sandy loams; loams; clay loams; light clays and medium to heavy clays.

• SOIL TYPE DESIGN IRRIGATION RATE DESIGN LOADING RATE
  (mm/week) (mm/day)
  Gravel & Sands 35 35
  Sandy Loams 35 25
  Loams 28 15
  Clay Loams 25 10
  Light Clays 20 8
  Medium to heavy clays 15 5

  

• Information on how to determine soil classifications can be found at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/164615/soil-texture.pdf http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_texture_pdf/$FILE/QRG_Texture.pdf

• The most common effluent disposal methods are absorption trenches (generally associated with septic tanks) and spray irrigation.
  ABSORPTION TRENCHES are generally used to dispose of primary treated effluent (that is, effluent that has only been treated by detention).
  To determine the size of absorption trench required, the following formula is used:

• Length of trench = daily wastewater flow
  ____________________________
  design loading rate x width (m)
  
  For example, for a four bedroom home with sandy loam soil:
  
  = 1160
  ––––––––––––––––––––
  25 x 0.6
  
  = 77.3 metres
  

  

• Other important factors to take into consideration when designing an absorption trench are:
  • individual trenches cannot exceed 20 metres in length;
  • trenches must be a minimum of 1 metre apart;
  • maximum width of a trench is 0.6 metres; and
  • bottom of trenches must be level.
  SPRAY IRRIGATION is used to dispose of secondary treated effluent, most commonly from an aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS) where disinfection occurs.
  To determine the size of spray irrigation area required, the following formula is used:

• Area = weekly wastewater flow
  ______________________
  design irrigation rate
  
  For example, for a four bedroom home with loam soil:
  
  = 1160 x 7
  –––––––––
  28
  = 290 square metres
  

  

• The irrigation line must be buried so that the moveable length of line cannot extend beyond the approved area.
  SUBSURFACE IRRIGATION may be used with secondary effluent that hasn’t been disinfected. The area required is determine in the same way as that for spray irrigation.
  In both cases, Council’s policy requires you to designate a reserve area that could be used in the future if the effluent disposal area is damaged or requires resting.

Further information:

• Further information is available on Council’s website at www.shoalhavencitycouncil.nsw.gov.au or call Council during office hours on (02) 44293111 and speak to an Environmental Health Officer.