There are two types of wastewater - greywater and blackwater.

Greywater is household water from baths, showers, hand basins and washing machines that does not include toilet discharge.

Blackwater is from toilets.

Wastewater from your kitchen sink also needs to be treated in onsite wastewater systems, because it can be highly contaminated with food particles, cooking oil and grease.

For the purpose of the Wastewater Management Plan 'wastewater' refers to both grey and black water.

The Environment Protection Act 1970 states that Councils are responsible for the management of individual systems that discharge less than 5,000 litres of wastewater a day.

Council is also responsible for issuing permits, assessing land development applications, overseeing system installation and maintenance.

Council is required under the Environment Protection Act 1970 to manage wastewater treatment systems that discharge under 5,000 litres a day. The State Environment Protection Policy (Waters) requires organisations that manage wastewater to develop a Plan outlining how it will prevent public health, environmental, and local amenity issues related to wastewater systems.

The Plan must identify public health and environmental risks associated with wastewater treatment and outline strategies to minimise the risk.

Sewer connection is the responsibility of relevant water authorities (Melbourne, Yarra Valley and South East Water).

If your development requires a new or updated onsite septic system, all applications must meet relevant Australian Standards, Certificates of Conformance, and the Code of Practice – onsite wastewater management.

There are many risk factors (slope of land, landslip risk, tree protection zones, soil type, proximity to waterways, and block size) that need to be considered by Council.

Any increase in wastewater entering a system must be reviewed by Council, to determine if the system can treat and dispose of the wastewater in a way that does not pose a risk to public health, the environment or local amenities.

A home extension (including additional bedrooms or wastewater fixtures/fittings ie. spa bath) or commercial activity such as increasing seating numbers at a cafe or restaurant, may lead to an increase in loading.

Upgrades to systems require a permit application to Council. An upgrade may not be required if it can be demonstrated that the system is of adequate size (tank, treatment and disposal areas), in a good state of repair and has a complete service history in compliance with permit conditions and manufacturer instructions.

Yes. You can apply for a septic system permit online at Apply for a septic system permit Yarra Ranges Council or contact the Public and Environmental Health Team on 1300 368 333.

Council can approve any septic tank system that has been certified by a JAS-ANZ accredited organisation.

Composting toilets can be approved but are classified as dry systems. Bathroom, kitchen, and laundry wastewater must be discharged to a greywater treatment system in accordance with Australian Standards and Code of Practice requirements, and would therefore require a separate greywater system.

Systems installed prior to the early 1990s, or prior to current standards, could discharge wastewater to a legal point of discharge, which may include an easement or roadside drain.

Council is limited by legislative controls. Council is working closely with relevant authorities to improve controls for these systems.

In addition, Council provides education to owners of these systems to help minimise the impact of off-site wastewater discharge. It is also continuing to work closely with water authorities on sewer backlog programs to identified high-risk areas.

All new or recently altered systems are required to treat and contain all wastewater within the boundary of the property to minimise potential public health and environmental issues.