call us on

1300 459 689

Select Page

Safe Septics

On Site Sewage Management Systems (OSSMS), such as septics, process waste water generated from the household where the property is not connected to Council’s reticulated sewerage system.

On-site sewage management systems are like miniature sewage treatment plants.  If they are misused, overworked, or incorrectly maintained, they will fail and cause problems such as:

  • Public health risks due of people to exposure to bacteria, viruses, parasites and other disease-causing organisms from raw sewage. Diseases from exposure to raw sewage include:
    • Bacterial: Salmonella, E.coli, Shigella, Diarrhoea, Trachoma.
    • Viral: Gastroenteritis, Hepatitis A.
    • Parasites: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Dwarf Tapeworm, Threadworm, Hookworm.
  • Insects and vermin can act as vectors of disease where they have access to raw sewage
  • Ground and surface water contamination. Pollution of ground water, bore water supplies and creek/river systems. A badly maintained septic can cause impacts up to 50km downstream in the right conditions.
  • Soil and vegetation degradation impacting useability of the land.
  • Local amenity issues such as aesthetics, odour, dust, vectors (such as mosquitoes) and excessive noise from faulty pumps.

Council’s Responsibility – Council maintains a register of all identified OSSMS in the CGRC area, and have adopted a Policy to ensure public health and environmental standards are achieved with the least intrusion of residents and landowners.

Policy & Factsheets

Council’s OSSMS Policy, inspection program and education resources aims to;

  • educate householders and businesses about operating and maintaining their OSSMS in a safe, sustainable and responsible manner,
  • reduce the number of pollution incidents caused by failing systems, and
  • help improve and protect the environment and the public health of the local community.

OSSMS Policy

OSSMS Policy 2020

Factsheet 1 – What is an OSSMS and your responsibilities

Factsheet 2 – What is a Septic system?

Factsheet 3 – What is an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS)?

Factsheet 4 – Looking after your OSSMS. Do and Don’t Hints

Factsheet 5 – Installing or Altering an OSSMS

Factsheet 6 – What to expect when you’re inspected

 

If you have any queries in regards to an OSSMS, please do not hesitate to contact Council’s Environmental Health Officer on 1300 459 689.

QUICKLINKS