On-site Sewage Facilities (OSSFs)

Many Fraser Coast properties are not connected to the main sewer network. In these cases, all wastewater must be treated and disposed of using an on-site sewage facility (OSSF). For these properties, an OSSF is essential for treating and disposing of all household wastewater on the property.

An OSSF is essentially a mini sewage treatment plant in your own backyard! It has two key parts:

  • A treatment facility to process the wastewater (e.g., septic tank or treatment plant)
  • A land application area to safely release the treated wastewater into the approved designated area within the property

As a property owner, you’re responsible for making sure your OSSF is working properly. This helps protect the health of your family, the community, and the environment.

Types of OSSFs

  • Aerated Wastewater Treatment Plants (AWTPs) – Mechanical and biological treatment with surface/subsurface irrigation
  • Aerobic Sand Filters – Filtration using sand and gravel
  • Septic Tanks – Basic treatment using natural bacteria
  • Composting Toilets – No water, biological breakdown
  • Greywater Systems – Diverts bathroom/laundry water for irrigation

Council approval required

Before installing an OSSF , Council approval is mandatory. Common systems include:

  • Aerated Wastewater Treatment Plants (AWTPs) – mechanical and biological treatment with surface or subsurface irrigation
  • Aerobic Sand Filters – natural filtration using sand and gravel
  • Septic Tanks – basic treatment using microorganisms
  • Composting Dry Vault Systems – biological breakdown of waste with no water
  • Greywater Diversion Systems – redirects wastewater from baths/laundries for irrigation

Before making any changes to the approved land application area, Council approval is mandatory.

Council register requirement

Under the plumbing and drainage regulation 2019 (section 106) a person who services a OSSF must, within 10 business days after servicing the facility, give a copy of the service report to the owner of the facility and council

Under the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 (Section 114), Council must maintain a register for each service report for a greywater use facility or on-site sewage facility. Fraser Coast Regional Council meets this requirement using WasteID, which records service history and compliance information for each system.

How does WasteID work?

WasteID is used by Council to help manage on-site sewage facilities across the region:

  • A QR code sticker is placed in your electricity meter box
  • Your service agent scans the QR code after each service
  • Service results are recorded in Council’s register
  • Learn more about WasteID on our information page

If a copy of the service report is required, please contact your service agent.

Where does treated wastewater go?

Treated wastewater must be safely disposed of in an approved land application area:

  • Irrigation systems – Surface, subsurface, or covered surface
  • Evapotranspiration/Absorption trenches or mounds – Effluent released into soil for plant uptake and microbiological breakdown

Maintaining your OSSF

Maintenance matters!
Your system is your responsibility. Regular maintenance is essential to keep your OSSF working properly, protect your family’s health, and avoid harm to the environment. It’s also the law: under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, maintenance by a licensed service agent is mandatory and must be carried out in line with the treatment plant approval (TPA) and Council permit conditions. TPA conditions are implemented by the state government and enforced by Council.

Please contact your licensed service agent for confirmation on servicing requirements for your system, as not all systems are the same.

If a system is not serviced or maintained as required, Council may take enforcement action and apply penalties.

Maintenance includes:

  • Aerated Wastewater Treatment Plant: Servicing every 3 months
  • Sand Filtration systems: Servicing every 12 months
  • Septic systems:
    • Clean outlet filter every 3 months (if applicable)
    • Desludge tank every 3–5 years by a licensed contractor
  • Composting toilets: As per manufacturer’s instructions
  • Greywater systems: Clean filters every 3 months, flush irrigation annually

Avoid harsh chemicals – use only septic-safe products.
Watch for odours, leaks, or overflowing trenches.
Contact a licensed service agent for all inspections and servicing.

Why maintenance matters

Poorly maintained OSSFs can:

  • Spread diseases
  • Contaminate groundwater and waterways
  • Damage soil and vegetation
  • Create odours and attract pests
  • Degrade the environment

Compliance standards

Your OSSF must meet:

  1. Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
  2. Plumbing and Drainage Regulation
  3. AS/NZS 1547: On-site Domestic Wastewater Management
  4. Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code

Council ensures OSSFs comply with these standards and do not pose risks to public health or the environment.

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