Onsite Wastewater Management System (Septic)
If a property is not serviced by sewer infrastructure, it requires an onsite wastewater management (septic) system. Households produce wastewater that can be harmful to public health and the environment, so it must be managed properly.
Wyndham City will investigate complaints in relation to:
- Failing septic systems, e.g. wastewater pooling on a property
- Septic system maintenance issues.
- Unregistered septic systems.
- Wastewater leaking from a property onto the roadside or your property.
- Wastewater smells or odours.
Operating and maintaining a septic system
Septic tank systems (also known as onsite wastewater management systems) are used on residential, community and business premises in unsewered areas. They treat, recycle or dispose of sewage. Sewage is combined wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens toilets or similar. Find out more about treating wastewater.
If you are an owner or occupier (such as a renter) of land with a septic tank system, the following laws apply to you.
The Environment Protection Act 2017 (the Act) and Environment Protection Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) include requirements for installing a system and operating and maintaining it.
The regulations include requirements for both landowners and occupiers, including renters. Others only apply to landowners.
This includes:
- Operating the system correctly.
- Making sure it does not overflow.
- Maintaining the system in good working order (this doesn't apply to renters).
- Notifying Wyndham City Council as soon as possible if there is a problem with the system.
Landowners must also:
- Provide written information about how to use the system to the person in management or control of the system (for example a renter)
- Keep maintenance records (and provide them to Council when required)
These requirements apply to all systems, including older systems. Find out more about how you manage your onsite wastewater system.
Anonymous request
- Contact details are highly recommended when lodging this issue to ensure a proper investigation can be completed.
- It also allows Wyndham City to clarify information to ensure officers have a safe working environment. If you do not provide contact details, any action taken by Wyndham City regarding this concern may be limited.
- Personal information is not disclosed to any person without consent.
Raise a request
If you have concerns regarding the use or condition of an onsite wastewater management system, please report it below.
An officer will action your request within five (5) working days. This includes contacting you to clarify the nature of the complaint, checking on any possible safety risks for Council staff and explaining the complaint process.
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