Implementing a reticulated sewerage system
Eighteen towns across our region are located in declared sewer districts. This means they’re connected to reticulated sewerage systems which we manage.
Sometimes it’s not practical, or possible, to connect to the existing sewerage system. This is often the case in smaller towns which aren’t part of a declared district.
In these locations, sewage is managed using a standalone, on-site wastewater system, such as a septic tank, which is designed to treat and contain human waste within a property boundary.
Local councils administer the use and installation of on-site sewage treatment systems such as septic tanks. They must be well managed and maintained to minimise risks to the environment and public health.
We’re happy to work with councils who are engaging with communities interested in implementing a reticulated sewage solution in their town.
There are a number of steps and detailed investigations that need to be worked through and the process can typically take between four and seven years.
The process
| 1 | Community members would ask their local council to investigate the current wastewater disposal method for a town. |
| 2 | The council would amend its Domestic Wastewater Management Plan to include an investigation into sewering the town. |
| 3 | If an investigation finds the existing systems are performing poorly and creating a high risk to the environment or preventing development, a study would be undertaken on the best type of system for the town. |
| 4 | The study would often provide indicative costings for various options. The community would need to agree that all properties within the town would each need to pay the applicable scheme costs. |
| 5 | The council would inform us if the results of the study showed that a reticulated sewer system is considered a viable option for the town. |
| 6 | We would then undertake an investigation to develop costings for the installation of a system. The cost would be communicated to the community. |
| 7 | The council would engage with the community, to seek agreement from each household to pay for the costs of installing the infrastructure. |
| 8 | If the scheme proceeds, no resident within the town would be able to “opt out”, and each property would be required to connect. |
| 9 | The council would inform us that the town is to be sewered. |
| 10 | Once funding has been agreed and paid to us, we’d begin the process to purchase land and create easements |
| 11 | The system would then be designed and the infrastructure installed. |
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