Your responsibilities and inspections

Property owners are responsible for system maintenance and operation, including repairs.

If you have an onsite system, you must:

  • ensure sure you have approval to use the system
  • know the type of system you have
  • understand its service and maintenance requirements
  • know the location of your wastewater treatment system and its layout (land application area)
  • monitor its performance and identify problems early. Leaks, soggy ground and bad odours indicate a problem. 
Avoid costly repairs

Protect your system from damage:

  • Exclude vehicles and large animals from the area directly above your system. They can crush plumbing, compact the ground and cause a system failure.
  • Have your septic tank or treatment plant pumped out every three to five years. Sludge can cause blockages that lead to system failure.
  • Keep mechanical systems serviced. Regular servicing ensures critical components and disinfection processes are maintained.
  • Check household products for suitability for use in septic systems. Some cleaners can interfere with the bacterial breakdown in the tank. 

Use the On-Site Sewage Management (OSSM) System Home-Owner Self Assessment Checklist

Routine Inspections

We inspect existing systems to ensure they are safe and working properly. The frequency of these inspections is based on the risk level associated to your system.

You'll receive advanced notice of a routine inspection taking place on your property. Your attendance is not required.

Routine inspections however provide the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your system. An alternative day and time may be arranged if you're not available, but would like to be present.

We provide a report after each routine inspection. If issues are identified, the report will:

  • Describe the problem.
  • Identify the options available to fix the problem. You may need to consult a plumber, wastewater consultant or water authority for advice.
  • Seek agreement on the action required.
  • Establish a reasonable time frame to resolve the problem. Interim measures may be required to manage risks while repairs are being arranged.

We'll work with you to find a suitable solution and ask you to raise any concerns with our environmental health officer as early as possible.

Note: Inspections are also undertaken as a part of the installation process at critical stages, more information on the installation process and inspections can be found on theFair Trading website here.

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