Wastewater assessment - frequently asked questions

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What is an onsite wastewater management report?

A Wastewater Management Report is a comprehensive document prepared by a Southern Wastewater Consultant. It outlines how sewage or wastewater produced on a property will be managed, treated, and safely disposed of. This process, referred to as On-site Sewage Management (OSSM), is a key consideration in the design of any site that is not connected to a mains sewer system. Each report developed by Southern Wastewater Consulting is delivered to provide clients with Council compliance and examines the most suitable options for on-site wastewater treatment and disposal in consultation with the property owner and taking into consideration environmental and other constraints. 

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Why do I need an onsite wastewater management report?
An onsite wastewater management assessment report, or 'wastewater report', is required for new builds, secondary dwellings, alterations and additions, subdivisions, and system upgrades that are not connected to a mains sewer system. They are required to ensure the safety of residents and the environment, efficiency, and compliance with local council and state government regulations.

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When will I need a wastewater report?
You’ll need a wastewater report for:

• Upgrading, relocating, or replacing an existing system.

• New homes, granny flats, or secondary dwellings in unsewered areas.

• Commercial developments like schools, restaurants, or function centres.

• Subdivisions or boundary adjustments that affect wastewater management.

• Non-domestic uses such as farms, wineries, and eco-tourism developments. 

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What’s involved in a wastewater report?

Creating a wastewater report involves:

• Preliminary research: Before attending your site, we look at your site plans and other available information like soil maps and environmental data to assess the conditions.

• Site and soil evaluation: We assess the land and soil to determine the best wastewater treatment and disposal strategies.

• System design: We select the appropriate treatment system, disposal methods, and sizing to suit your needs. We do this in close collaboration with our clients. 

• Site layout map: A detailed scaled site plan is created, showing where wastewater will be disposed in relation to key features like buildings, boundaries, and drainage lines.

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How do I dispose of wastewater?
We commonly recommend a range of disposal methods, including spray irrigation, subsurface irrigation and absorption beds / trenches, all tailored to suit your site’s needs and budget.

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What wastewater systems are available?
Throughout our process, we commonly recommend options like septic tanks, Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS), greywater systems, composting toilets. We’ll ensure the solution is compliant, council-ready, and tailored to your needs.

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What are the on-site wastewater disposal methods?
We commonly recommend the following wastewater methods tailored to our client's needs:

• Trenches: Simple, reliable, and cost-effective for soil absorption.

• Raised absorption beds: Elevated to prevent contamination from underlying soil.

• Surface spray irrigation: Quick, affordable, and effective.

• Shallow subsurface irrigation: More efficient than surface spray but requires regular maintenance.

• Evapotranspiration beds: Use plants to filter and evaporate wastewater, ideal for larger spaces.

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Does council automatically approve the wastewater plan you prepare?
A council cannot grant automatic approval for any consultant’s report. However, our team significantly strengthens your application by drawing on detailed knowledge of Council policies, NSW Health and WaterNSW guidelines, and all relevant regulatory requirements.

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We tailor each assessment to match exactly what council expects, helping avoid follow-up requests, speeding up the approval process, and giving your project the best chance of being accepted the first time.

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Where do you service?

Our small wastewater consultancy provides local wastewater reporting and land capability assessment services to help you navigate your development process with your local council. Councils were work in regularly include Shoalhaven City Council, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council, Wollondilly Shire Council, Liverpool City Council, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Yass Valley Council, Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council, Blue Mountains and others.  

 

Wherever you are, we have the expertise to design the right wastewater solution for your rural or peri-rural property in Southern NSW.