What Approvals Are Required?

FACT FILE

Septic Tank Systems

OVERVIEW

Under the Environment Protection Act the Mornington Peninsula Shire is responsible for the installation and approval of domestic wastewater systems discharging less than 5000 litres per day in un-sewered areas of the Mornington Peninsula.

WHAT APPROVALS ARE REQUIRED?

A ‘Permit to Install’ must be obtained from the Shire before commencing construction or alteration of any septic tank system. Prior to issuing this permit the Shire’s Environmental Health Officer will visit the site and assess the permit application to ensure that the septic tank system will retain wastewater in accordance with the Environment Protection Authority Septic Tanks Code of Practice. The permit to install is then issued including specific conditions that must be met during the installation and maintenance of the septic tank system.
The ‘Permit to Install’ does not allow the septic tank system to be used. The Shire must inspect the system during installation to ensure that it has been installed correctly and complies with the Septic Tanks Code of Practice. The system can only be used when the Shire is satisfied that the system has been installed correctly and issues a Permit to Use the system. To check whether the system has been installed correctly, Council requires the following information:
1. Inspection of the system by an Environmental Health Officer during installation of the disposal trenches or sub-surface irrigation system. During this inspection the Shire will check whether the conditions in the ‘Permit to Install’ have been complied with. If the system was not inspected during installation a Shire Environmental Health Officer must conducted a final inspection of the system before issuing a Permit to Use.
2. Copies of the plumbing compliance certificate for the sanitary plumbing, below ground sewer and septic tank installation works.
3. An as constructed plan of the septic tank system showing the location of the septic tank, sewage treatment plant and disposal trenches/irrigation area.
4. If a mechanical treatment plant has been installed, a copy of the commissioning report from the authorised treatment plant service agent confirming that the plant is treating effluent to the required standard.
5. If required a copy of the Site specific domestic wastewater management plan.
If any of this information has not been received the Shire is unable to issue a Permit to Use the septic tank system. It is the responsibility of property owners to ensure that this information is submitted to the Shire. When submitting this information to the Shire it should be marked to the attention of the Environmental Health Officer who issued the Permit to Install. The PTU number should be attached and clearly marked.
After the information has been submitted to the Shire, contact the Environmental Health Officer to request a final inspection and Permit to Use the system. If the information and final inspection is satisfactory a Permit to Use the system will be issued to the property owner.
The processing of the ‘Permit to Install’ may take up to 15 days.
It is important that you obtain a Permit to Use for your septic tank system as it is illegal to use a septic tank system without a Council permit, and Council can issue infringement notices of $500 to owners who use their system without a permit. It is also a requirement under the Building Act that a permit to use a septic tank system must be issued prior to a building surveyor issuing a Certificate of Occupancy

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information you can contact Customer Service on: 1300 850 600 or 5950 1000.

SepticTankSystems – Last Updated4 December 2014 - EPACS - Obj ID A4334531