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Proposed national environmental standard for on-site wastewater systems

Consultation on the proposed national environmental standard for on-site wastewater systems closed on the 26 September 2008.

The Ministry will now prepare a report on submissions that will be available below or in hard copy on request.

Submitters will be notified when the report is available.

Introduction

The Government is considering developing a national environmental standard (regulations) for the inspection of on-site wastewater systems (such as septic tanks).

The aim of the proposed standard is to improve the management and environmental performance of domestic on-site wastewater systems. In essence, the proposal is that:

Owners of properties with on-site wastewater systems in specific locations will be required to hold a current warrant of fitness that confirms their on-site system is functioning properly and is being maintained to an appropriate standard.

The standard would authorise regional councils to require property owners with an on-site wastewater system to hold a current warrant of fitness (WOF) for their system.  To obtain a WOF, a system would be required to pass an inspection every three years.

Regional councils would identify the areas where the standard would apply.

Background

On-site wastewater systems provide treatment of domestic wastewater and return it to the environment within the boundaries of the property of origin. It has been estimated that in some regions at least 20 per cent of homes rely upon on-site wastewater treatment. On-site wastewater systems can include primary, secondary and tertiary treatment systems. Septic tanks are mainly primary treatment systems and they represent the majority of on-site wastewater systems installed in New Zealand.

For many areas in New Zealand, wastewater systems do not provide an adequate level of treatment and are adversely impacting on human health and the environment. Failing systems can:

  • contribute to lakes, rivers, estuaries and beaches becoming unfit for swimming, gathering seafood and marine farming; 
  • lead to contamination of groundwater and surface water supplies – affecting the quality of drinking water supplies – and may increase the occurrence of algal blooms.

These effects occur because of a range of factors including: poor maintenance, sensitive receiving environments (lakes, rivers, streams, etc), high density residential areas, shallow groundwater and unsuitable soil types.  Regular inspections and maintenance can play a significant role in improving the performance of wastewater systems.

For more information, see: