Applications
Approved products and specifications
Leach drains and soakwells are used to dispose of the effluent from septic tank systems. Routine simple maintenance will help ensure that the surrounding soil does not become overloaded or clogged. If this happens, effluent is less able to freely soak into the soil and then begins to accumulate in the drainage receptacle. This can cause the effluent to surface around the drain or soak well and also back up into household pipes.
To improve the operation and longevity of drainage receptacles, new systems are required to be alternating. This allows each section to be rested as effluent is diverted to the other leach drain or soak well area.
System installations are only permitted with local government or Department of Health approval (the Department of Health assesses larger development proposals).
Persons wishing to install, upgrade or relocate leach drains/soakwells need to lodge an Application to Construct or Install an Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage (PDF 257KB) with the local government.
This is to ensure that the system is of an approved design and manufacture, is properly sized and is suitably located. eg there are minimum setback distances to buildings, boundaries, water courses and clearance requirements to groundwater.
Information on system requirements may be obtained from your local government Environmental Health Officer, Department of Health staff on 9388 4999 and the Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974 (PDF 0.99MB) .
It is an offence to install a wastewater system without an approval and it is also an offence to commission a system prior to a final inspection and approval to use from the local government.
Onsite disposal of effluent systems will not be approved if a property can be reasonably connected to sewer.
Persons wishing to manufacture leach drains and soakwells need to be familiar with the requirements of the Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974.
Firms must apply to the Department of Health for product approval and to register their mark or distinguishing brand. Every article used in the construction of an apparatus for the treatment and disposal of sewage and effluent is required to be marked with the manufacturer’s name or brand.
The Department of Health does not charge for this assessment service.
For further information, contact the Environmental Health Directorate on +61 8 9388 4999.
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