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Interim Measures To Protect Groundwater

Council has welcomed the more specific details recently received from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clarifying the land area required for houses to dispose of wastewater in sandy soils, with minimal risk to the ground water.

By South Gippsland Shire Council - 3rd September 2004 - Back to News

This now provides Council with clearer criteria to progress the assessments of existing permit applications in Venus Bay, Tarwin Lower and Sandy Point townships.

The EPA has advised that a minimum of 250 square metres of irrigation area for a 3 bedroom house is adequate as an interim management system until some form of town sewer can be provided. This disposal area guideline is dependent upon the characteristics of individual blocks and is subject to change if the ground water quality further deteriorates, or if new best practice innovative systems are developed.

Consequently, Council is now considering the development of a new two stage permit to ensure that all new permits issued clearly advise the land owners that they may require a second stage of installation to their wastewater system in the event of groundwater deterioration.

This type of permit will be a first for Victoria, leading the future direction of waste water management and governance across the State, especially in difficult soil type areas as is seen in most coastal settlements.

So what does this mean in practical terms?

Council is encouraging innovation to begin with the owner and several options are available. These include:

• strategic vegetation placement to trap nutrients,
• water use reduction devices to decrease amount of waste water,
• shortening or irrigating driveways,
• removal or relocation of bores
• and alteration of house design, to name only a few.

To assist Council with approval of permit applications, owners are asked to include all relevant information. For assistance with the development of detailed site plans please contact a plumber familiar with the new local requirements.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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