Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jun 27, 2014 3:04 pm I was reading the council application document for the On-site Sewage Management, and noticed that it asks for 'details of operation, maintenance and servicing requirements of system, erosion control and a statement of action to be taken in the case of a breakdown or interference with the operation of the system.' We are just getting a standard septic which will be dealing with greywater only, and we have an on-site effluent disposal report which gives some of these answers. We do not have a plumber as yet as the council said that doesn't matter at this stage, but maybe I should so they possibly answer some more of these questions. I am having a little trouble finding one. The last section about action in case of breakdown was news to the council guy when I asked him for some guidance about what exactly that meant and required, so he said I was probably the first person to ever read it, and not to worry about it. But now I have already opened my big mouth... So I was wondering if anyone out there can help me out with what they put with their council application. Should my statement of action be something as simple as 'Call a Plumber' ? Or is it something complicated like 'Dig a hole more than 50m from waterways which is at least X mm deep for disposal of waste' ??? Re: OSSM Application Plans 2Jul 02, 2014 2:17 pm Sorry if this post seemed a bit erratic, but my main question is *Can someone give me an example of what they gave their council for their OSSM plans? Cheers guys! Re: OSSM Application Plans 3Jul 02, 2014 3:19 pm Hi Keffufal - my council (Goulburn in NSW) required an Onsite Wastewater Management Study. Basically - I found a company that prepares the report for council. They do the soil sample, and proscribe a suitable septic system and absorbtion bed system with diagrams showing all measurements, etc etc - quite an involved study that gave me everything I needed to know about putting in my own septic/wastewater system in accordance to council requirements. The report totalled about 17 pages and was quite comprehensive. From memory it cost around $800 and I had no choice - it had to be done! But that is all council needed. Originally I wanted a dry composting toilet with a separate grey water treatment. Unfortunately my council would not accept other-States approved systems so I would have needed a septic system for just greywater plus a composting toilet system which basically doubled my sewerage system costs. So I opted for one septic tank for reasons of economy. (Despite the best intentions of being 'green'. Being environmentally friendly is expensive!) Re: OSSM Application Plans 4Jul 02, 2014 3:44 pm Thanks waxinggibbous, I do have an OSSM report ($352) but it is only 4 pages, it seems to include all of the necessary information but as for what to do in case of breakdown it just says 'call a plumber.' I guess that is what info I will tell the council and hope they are happy with that - I think that they will be, as they don't seem unduly concerned with details like that. Well unofficially anyway, when it comes to the official stuff it might be a different story! As for the composting toilet, yes it works out more expensive in the short run but then you don't have to waste precious water for flushing! And you get free fertiliser... Which system were you looking at? I found the Clivus Multrum EcoLet NE for $1700 delivered was the cheapest (for 2-3 people)... Re: OSSM Application Plans 5Jul 02, 2014 4:03 pm I was originally going with Nature Clear GWS10 Greywater Treatment System ($1,365) along with the Rota Loo 650 waterless composting toilet 1 -2 people ($4,395). But Goulburn hasn't approved small eco friendly systems despite other NSW councils as well as all of Vic and Qld giving it the ok.!! Bit 1950's down this way!! But I can understand your concern with the small details - when dealing with bureaucracy I always assumes you have to go by every letter of the book and I am starting to learn otherwise. When I see things like "What will you do in case of a breakdown" - I am tempted to write "Shreik and wail like a banshee!" Re: OSSM Application Plans 6Jul 02, 2014 5:54 pm 'Shreik and wail like a banshee!' that's hilarious! My reaction would be 'ignore it and hope it goes away!' I have been told there is a loophole for sewage management but I personally don't want to go down this path... "New South Wales Consolidated Regulations LOCAL GOVERNMENT (GENERAL) REGULATION 2005 - REG 41 Facilities to be accredited 41 Facilities to be accredited (1) The council must not approve the installation or construction of a sewage management facility to which this Subdivision applies unless the council is satisfied that the facility is to be installed or constructed to a design or plan that is the subject of a certificate of accreditation from the Director-General of the Department of Health, being a certificate that is in force. (2) Subclause (1) does not apply to or in respect of a sewage management facility: (a) that is to be installed or constructed as a model for the purposes of testing, or (b) that is designed, and is to be constructed, by the owner or occupier of the premises on which it is to be installed, or (c) that is designed, by a person other than the owner or occupier of the premises on which it is to be installed, specifically and uniquely for those premises." Thanks for the response! However, it's have been sorted. But for others benefit here is what we had to do. Unfortunately, it's not straightforward. BCC washed their hands… 3 7176 6 11528 Really tight at the top of the stairs- how to get furniture into those rooms? Study books - does anyone really use them these days? Large storage closet would be more functional. 2 6882 |