Onsite Waste Water Systems - Upgrade and Pre-Sales

Existing On-Site Sewerage Management Systems (OSSM)

Councils Rangers oversee the compliance of all the existing OSSMs.

If you live in an area that is not connected to Councils Sewer Main it is likely you have an OSSM to deal with your waste water.

These systems usually have an extended life period but sometimes the trench system can fail and when this happens the black water that is distributed into the absorption trench will overflow out of the failed trench onto the ground above the trench.

If this happens you will be required to replace the existing system. This may not necessarily mean replacing the tank however if the trenches fail you will need to have new trenches installed, and the existing tank connected to the new trenches.

An application for renewal must be lodged with Council through the NSW Planning Portal. A copy of the below form must also be uploaded to the NSW Planning Portal with all associated documentation.

Required Documentation to be uploaded to NSW Planning Portal:

  1. Onsite Sewerage Management System Application Form
  2. Plan of proposed works
  3. Land Capability Assessment Report for Onsite Waste Water disposal area
  4. Manufacturers specifications of the proposed OSSM to be installed
  5. External drainage layout
  6. Plan of effluent disposal area
  7. Plan of reserve area and size
  8. Details of method of protection for effluent disposal area
  9. Copy of service agreement (if the system is an AWTS).

Site Plan Example

To download an example of a complete site plan, click here.

 

Pre-Purchase OSSM Inspections

Councils Rangers conduct the pre-purchase inspections on all OSSMs.

If you require a system to be inspected please submit the Onsite Sewage Management System Application form to Council at mail@greaterhume.nsw.gov.au and one of Councils Rangers will be in contact to arrange an inspection time.

 

Decommissioning an OSSM

Decommissioning of on-site sewage management systems will be required when: 

  • The property is connected to reticulated sewage; or
  • An old site-sewage management system is replaced with a new one.

In these instances, Council will instruct the owner of the property to decommission the system. The owner must decommission the system in accordance with Council’s requirements so as to prevent any future safety, environmental or public health risks. Council can provide information on the steps that need to be followed to decommission an OSSM.

Derelict houses with a system connected are not required to be decommissioned. However, these systems still need to be notified and remain on Council’s register. The contents of these systems should be pumped out by a service agent and disposed of appropriately. They should be filled with water to prevent damage/cracking and rising out of the ground. 

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