One of Waratah-Wynyard Council's core activities is to ensure that all properties are provided with safe and effective sewerage systems.
1. What legislation regulates plumbing and drainage?
2. What do the terms sullage (grey water), effluent (blackwater), stormwater and wastewater mean?
3. What is a reticulated sewerage system?
4. How do I find out if a property is on a reticulated sewerage system or not?
5. What approval do I need to connect to a sewer/stormwater/water connection?
7. What can and can't be put down the sewer?
8. What can I do with trade waste?
9. If I live in an unsewered area what sort of sewerage treatment do I need?
10. How do I maintain my on-site disposal system?
A number of pieces of legislation are relevant to the regulation of plumbing. These are the:
The Workplace Standards website has further information on and links to these statutory documents.
Generally, protection of aquatic ecosystems and the control of discharge to natural water bodies is determined by the:
At the more specific level, the Sewers and Drains Act 1954 and the Plumbing Regulations 2004 detail the requirements relating to plumbing and sewerage infrastructure, for example they give councils the ability to charge a rate for sewerage and describe the types of matter not to be discharged into the sewers.
In addition, many councils have by-laws relating to water, sewers and drains and/or the disposal of trade waste. (Back to FAQ List)
Sullage (greywater) is commonly understood to refer to domestic wastewater from showers, laundry use and cooking but does not include sewage.
Effluent (blackwater) is generally understood to mean sewage undergoing a process of treatment.
Wastewater is the term used to include all domestic, commercial and industrial sewage and other liquid wastes, discharged from fixtures such as showers, toilets, basins and kitchen sinks, whether treated or untreated. (Back to FAQ List)
A reticulated sewerage system refers to the system of pipes, sewers and drains that are used to convey sewage from a property to a sewage treatment plant. Maintenance of these pipes and of the treatment plant is the responsibility of council.
The term 'sewerage installation' generally refers to the pipes and fittings on private property and owned by the property owner, which take the sewage from the private property to the council sewer main. The owner is responsible for maintenance of these systems.
The term 'property connection' may also be used to describe the section of the sewerage system connecting private property to the council's reticulated sewerage system.
Council is responsible for the running and maintenance of three treatment plants. These are:-
If you are unsure as to whether an area has a reticulated sewerage system or not contact the council on Ph: (03) 6443 8333. (Back to FAQ List)
For a connection to a council sewer, stormwater, or water connection you must make application with the required documentation as set out in the Plumbing Regulations 2004, for a Plumbing Permit.
A Special Plumbing Permit is approval to use a system or device (eg. a septic tank) and a Plumbing Permit is also required before installation can proceed.
A Special Plumbing Permit is needed in a number of circumstances such as:
To obtain a Special Plumbing Permit you must make application to council with the required documentation as set out in the Director of Building Control - Specified Lists for the Building Act 2000.
Trade waste refers to liquid waste from industry, business, trade and manufacturing.
To obtain a Special Plumbing Permit for trade waste you must make application to council with the required documentation as set out in the Director of Building Control - Specified Lists for the Building Act 2000, and/or according to the council's Trade Waste Policy. (Back to FAQ List)
Please contact Council's Engineering Department on (03) 6443 8351 for the current fee structure for the following:-
In the normal sewer designed for domestic purposes you may put liquid waste from toilets, basins, showers and kitchen sinks. This does not include disposable nappies, tampons and/or sanitary pads or condoms, all of which can block drains. These should be disposed of in the household rubbish.
Food wastes such as milk, yoghurt, fruit and vegetable juices and cooking oils should not be put down the sink as they can block the drains. They can either be disposed of by composting or in the household rubbish.
Leftover household paint, household cleaners and chemicals, pills and medicines, motor oils and pesticides should not be put down the drain either. They can be disposed of properly at the council tip, or in the case of leftover medicines and pills, handed in to a chemist.
If you have a Special Plumbing Permit for Trade Waste (see question 5 for more info) you must ensure that your discharge to the sewer meets the requirements of the permit. (Back to FAQ List)
Trade waste is the term used to describe liquid waste, other than sewage from commercial and industrial businesses.
If you operate a business that produces trade waste and it is discharged directly into the sewer it can:
Council requires such waste to be managed by properly designed systems and products for the collection and treatment of trade waste. A Special Plumbing Permit for Trade Waste is required under the Plumbing Regulations 2004 (see question 5 for more information). In some instances councils may also require an industry operator to enter into a Trade Waste Agreement that details what the business is allowed to discharge to the sewer and under what terms and conditions.
Trade waste charges that councils may impose on businesses depend on the volume and type of waste being generated. (Back to FAQ List)
The original council subdivision approval for your block and subsequent Special Plumbing Permit will detail the type of system approved for your block. This may vary depending on the site and soil conditions of your block. Contact your council's Environmental Health Department for further information.
Council's Environmental Health Department can be contacted on Ph: (03) 6443 8316. (Back to FAQ List)
On-site disposal systems must be maintained according to the Special Plumbing Permit. For further information contact your council's Environmental Health Department.
Council's Environmental Health Department can be contacted on Ph: (03) 6443 8316. (Back to FAQ List)
