Property owners are responsible for managing their septic tank systems. Depending on what type of system you have there are differing maintenance requirements. We have some Information Sheets available for the most common types of systems linked in this section.
Properly maintaining your system will help to extend the life of the system and prevent it from premature failure resulting in a public health risk to the occupants and surrounding environment.
If you have a septic tank system it is important to get you tank desludged every 3-5 years or as required. Not getting your tank regularly desludged may cause the system to fail and it can be very costly to repair. A list of current Desludge Service Providers can be found here.
All treatment plants must be serviced by a qualified person every 3 months in accordance with the Certificate of Approval of the system and a copy of the service report should be sent to Council. A list of current Desludge Service Providers can be found here.
Send us a copy of your report or invoice whenever you have your system Serviced or Desludged. We will update the details of your system on our database.
You can now submit your report online.
The system must not be altered or modified, except with the approval of the Council. An Application to Alter must be obtained from Council before making any alterations to the system. You also should not build anything over the top of any part of your Septic Tank system including the Absorption Drains.
Apply for a Permit to Alter(PDF, 843KB)
Note: some of the systems outlined in the Information Sheets are for systems that are no longer approved to be installed and are a reference for people with existing systems only.
For a current list of Approved System Types please refer to EPA Victoria's list of Valid onsite wastewater treatment system certificate holders.
Conventional Septic Tank with Absorption Trenches(PDF, 4MB)
Package Treatment Plants(PDF, 2MB)
Septic Tank with Sand Filter(PDF, 1MB)
Septic Tank with Reed Bed(PDF, 1MB)
Split Systems(PDF, 2MB)
Common Disposal Methods(PDF, 4MB)
In-situ and Other Historic Septic Tank Systems(PDF, 4MB)
Licensed Plumbing Practitioners' Responsibilities(PDF, 2MB)
Service Agents' Responsibilities(PDF, 1MB)
Land Owners - Considering Installing or Altering an Onsite Domestic Wastewater Management System(PDF, 3MB)
Operation and maintenance of onsite wastewater management systems - Home owners and Renters(PDF, 2MB)