On-site Treatment and Greywater - Sunshine Coast Council

Many Coast properties are not connected to the public sewerage system. The treatment and disposal
of their wastewater must be done on site.

On-site sewerage facilities

An on-site sewerage facility is any system that stores, treats and disposes of household wastewater
on the property. Poorly sited or maintained systems can impact public health and the environment.
The owner of the facility must make sure the system is well maintained and works properly.
The disposal of effluent (treated sewage) may occur:
on the property on a designated area (called a land application area) off the property: collected by a
council-approved liquid waste carrier by a common effluent drainage system.
A common effluent drainage system is where two or more properties have their wastewater
combined and transported elsewhere. This usually happens after primary treatment.
Systems over 20 EP (equivalent persons) require approval and monitoring by the Environmental
Protection Agency.

Types of on-site sewerage systems

Sewage treatment can involve up to three stages.
Primary treatment: separates solids, grease and oil. Materials are released or go to the next
stage. Secondary treatment: removes biological matter. Materials are released or go to the next
stage. Tertiary treatment: treats waste so it can safely be released into sensitive ecosystems.
Treatment systems for household wastewater include:

conventional domestic sewage treatment plants (for secondary treatment or better) activated sludge
systems biological trickling filter systems extended aeration systems aerated/aerobic sand filter
systems septic tanks (for primary treatment) all-waste septic tanks (for all household
wastewater) black water septic tanks (for toilet wastewater only) greywater septic tanks (for
sullage, e.g. sink and bath wastewater only) composting system dry vault systems (for toilet waste
only waterless) wet systems (for all household wastewater may be considered a domestic sewage
treatment plant) holding tanks off the premises, with waste collected by a council-approved liquid
waste carrier grey water treatment/diversion facility.
Council must approve the installation of an on-site sewerage facility. The system must have product
approval from state government or comply with a manufacturing code or Australian Standard.
On-site sewage care and maintenance tips [Word 927KB]
Types of land application areas
Designated areas where effluent can be disposed of on site include:
irrigation systems surface irrigation (spray above ground) sub-surface irrigation (drippers in
shallow trenches large surface area) covered surface irrigation (drippers on natural ground covered
by mulch, woodchip, etc. large surface area). evapotranspiration-absorption
trenches/beds/mounds trench or bed (uses the principles of evaporation, transpiration and
absorption) elevated sand mound (specially constructed on natural ground level).
The type of disposal area will depend on the level of treatment the wastewater receives before
disposal.
Greywater
Greywater is wastewater which can be reused on lawns and gardens. This includes bath, shower,
hand basin and laundry water. Kitchen greywater cannot be used as grease and oil clog irrigation
systems and build up on soil surfaces.
Under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002, residents in sewered areas may use greywater by:

manual bucketing connecting a flexible hose to a washing machine outlet installing greywater
diversion devices connected to irrigatio hose (with council approval). This must be done by a

licenced plumbers surface or sub-surface system (with council approval).

Care should be taken if reusing greywater. This is because of its:
potential health risks to humans potential for environmental damage to soils, ground water, and
waterways. (Caused by increased nutrient and chemical levels.)
Council approval for greywater diversion and treatment systems
You don't need a permit for using buckets or connecting a flexible hose to a washing machine outlet.
You need a council permit before installing either:
a greywater diversion device (untreated greywater cannot be stored) a greywater treatment system
(collects greywater and treats it for reuse as garden irrigation).
Greywater precautions for home owners [Word 927KB]
Information for plumbers
There are greywater guidelines for plumbers on the Department of Housing and Public Works
website .These can help plumbers assess whether the home owner has suitable and sufficient land
to distribute greywater.
Plumbers should use the guidelines to advise homeowners about buying and installing greywater
systems before they apply to council.
On-site sewerage forms
Submitting a service report
Council offers several ways to submit your service report: