Importance of maintenance transcript

Property owners must ensure that all plumbing and drainage systems on their property are maintained and operated in good working order.

It is also important to make sure that your on-site sewerage facility does not create a nuisance or health risk to neighbours or the surrounding area.

Consequences of ailing on-site sewerage facilities.

If your on-site sewerage facility is allowed to overflow, the liquid wastewater can enter our local waterways and lead to serious environmental consequences. The consequences include releasing high level of nitrates and phosphates into the waterways as well as potential pathogenic organisms.

High levels of phosphates and nitrates entering the waterway are a food source for algae and algae bloom under these conditions. If this is allowed to happen the algae will deplete the waterway of oxygen leading to fish kills.

On-site sewerage facilities can also pose a risk to the waterways that we swim in or eat seafood out of. Bacterial and viral infections can be spread in these waters and cause significant illness.

Even around the house it is important to ensure that your on-site sewerage facility is well maintained. If it is not well maintained it can lead to unpleasant odours, increased levels of flies and mosquitoes and other unwanted vermin.

The good new is that it can all be avoided, if we just maintain our on-site sewerage facilities in good working order.

Fact sheets about maintaining your on-site facility are available council's website.