Operating septic system inspection checklist

Template Information

Ballina shire council

Category: general

Template Questions

  • Distance to the nearest watercourse (m)
  • Number of bedrooms
  • Number of residents
  • Slope (%)
  • Number of tanks
  • Tank diameter (mm)
  • Tank volume/s
  • Water source
  • System age
  • Nearest house (m)
  • Add media
  • Is there vegetation present?
  • Is there native vegetation dieback?
  • Do you need to remove vegetation around and in the tank to improve access for maintenance?
  • Is there weed infestation?
  • Is there localised flood potential?
  • Is there erosion potential?
  • Is there any indication of cracks, staining or leaks around the perimeter of the septic tank and/or pump well and/or holding tank?
  • Are there any gaps between the tank and the lid?
  • Is the tank lid suitable for the tank?
  • Does the tank have easily accessible inspection caps?
  • Are the inspection caps present and unbroken?
  • Has the primary septic tank been desludged in the last five years?
  • Does the tank need desludging (is the sludge level high or near the bottom of the inlet)?
  • Is any air vent attached to the septic tank/holding well in a functional state?
  • Is the tank in good condition, eg no cracks, leaks, damaged lids or walls?
  • Does tank need urgent repair/replacement due to major structural failure or undersizing?
  • Does the tank have a scum or crust layer?
  • Has the outlet filter been cleaned recently?
  • Does the pump operate when needed? Note. Trigger the float switches to check operation.
  • Does the alarm work?
  • Has the pump been serviced in the last 12 months?
  • Are the pipes connecting the OSSM tank, pump well and/or holding well, or septic tank and trench, functioning and installed correctly?
  • Are there any unsealed pipes that allow untreated wastewater to escape?
  • Does internal pluming fixtures and fitting discharge to the tank?
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Bathroom 1
  • Bathroom 2
  • Ensuite
  • WC/toilet 1
  • WC/toilet 2
  • WC/toilet 3
  • Grease trap installed
  • Grease trap operational
  • Shed/cottage/extra
  • Comments
  • Comments, Actions or Repairs Required: Where a response in the above checklist needs extra information or action, specify the action plan and/or the process to fix the problem, or specify an alternative that is being offered.
  • Property owner's signature
  • Inspection officer's name
  • Inspecting officer's signature
  • Ballina Shire CouncilDevelopment and Environmental Health Group40 Cherry StreetBALLINA NSW 2478Teleph
  • Rous Water On-site Wastewater Management Guidelines June 2008. Ballina Shire Council (2008). On-site Sewage and Wastewater Management Strategy. Converse, J.C & Tyler, E.J. (2000). Wisconsin Mound Soil Absorption System: Siting, Design and Construction Manual. https://www.env.nm.gov/fod/liquidwaste/documents/WisconsinMoundManual.p df Morand, D.T. (1994). Soil Landscapes of the Lismore-Ballina 1:100 000 Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney. NSW Department of Local Government (1998). Environment & Health Protection Guidelines: On-site Sewage Management for Single Households. DLG, Sydney. Standards Australia (2012). AS/NZS 1547:2012 On-site Domestic Wastewater Management. SAI Global, Sydney. Sydney Catchment Authority (2012) Designing and Installing On-site Wastewater systems, Sydney Catchment Authority. http://www.waternsw.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/58251/Designing- and-Installing-On-Site-Wastewater-Systems-complete-document.pdf