2020 Discharge Rules

All Septic Tanks and Sewage Systems must meet Government discharge rules

To help improve the environment, the government wants to stop all septic tanks and failing sewage treatment plants from discharging sewage into the watercourse, such as a rivers, streams, ditches and onto land.

This means owners of these tanks and plants will need to have replaced or upgraded them by 1st January 2020.

I am selling my property – am I affected?

Yes:  If you own a septic tank or sewage treatment plant that discharges sewage into watercourse or open ground, then you will need to replace or upgrade it. This needs to be done, or a plan in place, before exchanging.

Environment Law – Overview

All sewage discharges need to meet environment laws. This is either by obtaining an Environmental Permit or, if it is a small household discharge, you maybe able to operate under General Binding Rules for small sewage discharges.

Here are a few examples from the General Binding rules:

1. Are you discharging less than 2000 litres a day into a soak-away?
2. Are you discharging 5000 litres a day into the watercourse?
3. Does the discharge flow into any environmentally protected zones, such as a Special Site of Scientific Interest, or Ramsar Site?
4. Is the discharge near or in a source Protection Zone?

If your system can meet the General Binding Rules, you should not need an environmental permit. However, you are still required to have a system that meets the discharge permission you have (either the Binding Rules or Environmental Permit).

The General Binding Rules are vast and complex. We recommend you seek expert advice before making any changes or looking to install a sewage treatment system.