JERILDERIE SHIRE COUNCIL ON-SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN Copyright © Building & Environmental Services Today 2004 The information contained in this document is solely for the use of the client identified on the cover for the purpose for which it has been prepared. No representation is made or is implied as being made to any third party. Building & Environmental Services Today 26 Goulburn Street JUNEE NSW 2663 Ph/Fax: 6924 3986 Mobile: 0428 243 228 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.bestoday.com 2 CONTENTS ON SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN .............................................................................................. 4 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 4 2. PURPOSE.................................................................................................................................................... 4 3. OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................... 5 3.1 PREVENTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH RISK .............................................................................................. 5 3.2 PROTECTION OF SURFACE WATER..................................................................................................... 5 3.3 PROTECTION OF GROUNDWATER ...................................................................................................... 5 3.4 PROTECTION OF LAND ...................................................................................................................... 5 3.5 CONSERVATION AND REUSE OF RESOURCES ..................................................................................... 5 3.6 PROTECTION OF COMMUNITY AMENITY............................................................................................ 5 4. GOALS ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 5. PROGRAMS ................................................................................................................................................ 7 5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM ...................................................................................... 7 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW OF THE JERILDERIE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA .............................. 7 5.3 REGULATORY PROGRAM.................................................................................................................10 5.4 RISK ASSESSMENT PROGRAM .........................................................................................................11 5.5 MONITORING PROGRAM..................................................................................................................13 5.6 SERVICE PROGRAM .........................................................................................................................14 5.7 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION..........................................................................................................14 5.8 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM................................................................................................................14 6. RESOURCES ..............................................................................................................................................15 6.1 FUNDING .........................................................................................................................................15 6.2 LEGISLATION ..................................................................................................................................16 6.3 STANDARDS APPLYING TO ON-SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS..........................................16 6.4 COUNCIL PLANNING INSTRUMENTS & DOCUMENTS .......................................................................16 7. ENFORCEMENT .........................................................................................................................................17 8. EVALUATION ............................................................................................................................................17 9. ACTIONS SUMMARY SHEET ......................................................................................................................17 10. CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT – REVIEW OF THE PLAN..............................................................................17 11. APPENDICES APPENDIX A RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX APPENDIX B SITE INSPECTION CHECK LIST – EXISTING SYSTEM APPENDIX C APPLICATION FORM APPENDIX D PROCEDURE FOR APPROVING INSTALLATION OF NEW SYSTEMS APPENDIX E APPROVAL TEMPLATE FOR INSTALLATION OF A NEW SYSTEM APPENDIX F PROCEDURE FOR APPROVING OPERATION OF NEW AND EXISTING SYSTEMS APPENDIX G APPROVAL TEMPLATE FOR OPERATION OF NEW AND EXISTING SYSTEMS APPENDIX H STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR INSTALLATION AND OPERATION APPENDIX I SPECIFICATIONS FOR SYSTEM INSTALLATION APPENDIX J RECOMMENDED PLANTS FOR USE IN DISPOSAL AREAS APPENDIX K EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR OWNERS OF OSSMS APPENDIX L SELF ASSESSMENT FORM APPENDIX M LETTER BOX DROP – PHILOSOPHY OF OSSMS MANAGEMENT APPENDIX N LETTER TO OWNER RE-UPGRADE APPENDIX O REGISTER OF OSSMS APPENDIX P GOALS SUMMARY 3 ON SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 1. INTRODUCTION Effective management of domestic sewage and wastewater is an important consideration for the public health of Jerilderie Shire Council residents and the environment. It requires the active involvement of both the Council and landholders. Management of sewage on-site will not be seen as the simple disposal of an unwanted nuisance. Wastewater, including the nutrients and organic matter it contains, will be managed appropriately and used whenever possible. This Management Plan has been developed to help Jerilderie Shire Council assess, regulate and manage the selection, design, installation, operation and maintenance of on- site sewage management systems. The Plan may also be useful to householders, developers and others who wish to reside in the Jerilderie Shire Council area. This Management Plan draws upon the principles, technical data and overall advice contained in the publication “Environment and Health Protection Guidelines - On Site Sewage Management for Single Households”1. This publication is available at Jerilderie Shire Council office. This Plan was adopted at Council’s meeting held on <___________________>. It is the Council’s intention to incorporate the on-site sewage management strategy within its Management Plan. Each year Council’s State of Environment Report may address on- site sewage management matters. 2. PURPOSE The purpose of the On-site Sewage Management Plan is to: 2.1 Guide landholders towards sustainable on-site management of domestic/business/commercial sewage and wastewater. 2.2 Protect and enhance the quality of public health and the environment in the long term within the Jerilderie Shire. 2.3 Assist Council to prioritise resources for the efficient regulation and monitoring of on-site sewage management systems within its area. 1 These guidelines have been developed by the Department of Local Government, NSW Health, the EPA, the Department of Land and Water Conservation and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. The Guidelines were published by the NSW Department of Local Government 4 3. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this On-Site Sewage Management Plan are - 3.1 Prevention of public health risk - sewage contains bacteria, viruses, parasites and other disease-causing organisms. Contact with effluent should be minimised or eliminated, particularly for children. Insects can also act as vectors for disease where they have access to effluent. Residuals, such as composted material, should be handled carefully. Treated sewage should not be used on edible crops that are consumed raw. 3.2 Protection of surface water - on-site sewage management systems should be selected, sited, designed, constructed, operated and maintained to ensure that surface waters are not contaminated by any flow from treated systems and land application areas. (including effluent, rainfall run-off and contaminated groundwater flow) 3.3 Protection of groundwater - on-site sewage management systems should be selected, sited, designed, constructed, operated and maintained to ensure that groundwater will not be contaminated by any flow from either the treatment systems or land application areas. 3.4 Protection of land - on-site sewage management systems should be selected, sited, designed, constructed, operated and maintained to ensure that land is not contaminated by any flow from treated systems, effluent, rainfall run-off or contaminated groundwater flow. 3.5 Conservation and reuse of resources - the resources in domestic wastewater (including nutrients, organic matter and water) should be identified and utilised as much as possible within the bounds posed by the other performance objectives; water conservation should be practiced and wastewater production should be minimised. 3.6 Protection of community amenity - on-site sewage management systems should be selected, sited, designed, constructed, operated and maintained to ensure that they do not unreasonably interfere with quality of life. Where possible, such systems should enhance the local amenity - special consideration should be given to aesthetics, odour, dust, vectors and excessive noise. 5 4. GOALS The goals of this On-site