On-site sewerage facilities

What is an on-site sewerage facility?

On-site sewerage facilities (OSSF) are used to treat sewage generated from a premise that is located in an unsewered area. The OSSF must be located within property boundaries which includes the land application area. OSSF include all types of wastewater treatment and land application, such as septic tanks, aerated wastewater treatment systems, biofilter systems, composting toilets, and activated sludge systems. These systems are required in areas not serviced by sewerage infrastructure.

To determine what type of system is suitable for the premises, a site and soil evaluator approved by Council should be consulted:

Maintaining your system

All OSSF systems are required under the Plumbing & Drainage Act 2018, Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019, QLD Plumbing & Wastewater Code, AS/NZS 1546 and AS/NZS 1547 to be commissioned and serviced in accordance with the manufacturers requirement.  These service reports are then forwarded to Council for recording.  A list of Service Agents are available for customers at: