Part C3 On-site wastewater management

The Objective of this Part is to—

1. safeguard people from illness, injury or loss (including loss of amenity) due to the failure of an on-site wastewater management system installation; and
2. ensure that an on-site wastewater management system installation is suitable; and
3. conserve water and energy; and
4. safeguard the environment; and
5. safeguard public and private infrastructure; and
6. ensure that an on-site wastewater management system installation is designed and is capable of being maintained so that throughout its serviceable life it will continue to satisfy Objectives (a) to (e).

On-site wastewater management systems must collect, contain, treat, assimilate and process wastewater, human excreta, or both so that public health and environmental standards required by the authority having jurisdiction are achieved.

On-site wastewater management systems must protect the environment by ensuring that—

1. surface water and ground water are not polluted: and
2. soil productivity is maintained or enhanced; and
3. the likelihood of contamination of soils, ground water and waterways is avoided.

On-site wastewater management systems must minimise the impacts on and maintain and enhance community amenity. They must ensure that the on-site wastewater management system design and its implementation contribute to improving and sustaining aesthetic values within individual properties and groups of properties.

Where an on-site wastewater management system discharges to the point of connection of a Network Utility Operator's sewer system, the connection must comply with the Network Utility Operator requirements.

On-site wastewater management systems that facilitate on-site storage, treatment, disposal or re-use of wastewater must be designed and constructed—

1. with required treatment and storage capacity for the volume and make up of waste and frequency of discharge for disposal; and
2. with required size, strength and rigidity for the nature, flow rates, volume of wastes and/or waste products which must be processed; and
3. using materials which are impervious both to the waste for which disposal is required and to water; and
4. to avoid the likelihood of surface water and stormwater entering the system.

(1) On-site wastewater management systems and associated land application systems must—

1. complete the treatment, uptake and absorption of the final effluent within the boundaries of the approved area; and
2. protect against internal contamination; and
3. provide ventilation to avoid the likelihood of foul air and gases from accumulating in the system.

(2) On-site wastewater management systems and associated land application systems must—

1. avoid the likelihood of the creation of unpleasant odours or the accumulation of offensive matter; and
2. avoid the likelihood of stormwater run-off entering the system; and
3. avoid the likelihood of root penetration or ingress of ground water entering the system; and
4. avoid the likelihood of unintended or uncontrolled discharge; and
5. avoid the likelihood of blockage and leakage; and
6. avoid the likelihood of damage from superimposed loads or ground movement.

(1) On-site wastewater management systems that facilitate on-site storage, treatment, disposal or re-use of wastewater must—

1. provide vehicle access for collection, if necessary; and
2. avoid the likelihood of unauthorised access by people; and
3. permit cleaning, maintenance, measurement and performance sampling.

(2) Land application systems must—

1. provide access, as required, for maintenance; and
2. incorporate provisions, as required, for effective cleaning.

On-site wastewater management systems that facilitate on-site storage, treatment, disposal or re-use of wastewater must avoid blockage or uncontrolled discharge.

On-site wastewater management systems that facilitate on-site storage, treatment, disposal or re-use of wastewater must permit the manufacturer model, serial number and designed capacity to be easily accessed and identifiable after installation.

(1) Performance RequirementsC3P1 to C3P9 are satisfied by complying with C3D2 to C3D7.

(2) Where a Performance Solution is proposed, the relevant Performance Requirements must be determined in accordance with A2G2(3) and A2G4(3) as applicable.

A septic tank must be in accordance with AS/NZS 1546.1.

A waterless composting toilet must be in accordance with AS/NZS 1546.2.

A secondary treatment system must be in accordance with AS 1546.3.

A domestic grey water treatment system must be in accordance with AS/NZS 1546.4.

A domestic land application system must be in accordance with AS/NZS 1547.

A common effluent drainage system must be in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.2.