Health Services Information Sheet 10

Decommissioning of Septic Apparatus

Introduction

The decommissioning of a septic apparatus involves the following steps;

Pumping out of the septic tanks by a by a licensed liquid waste contractor. The contractor will then provide a receipt.
Removal of the entire septic apparatus, which includes all septic tanks, soak wells / leach drains. The most effective way to ensure that the entire system is removed is to follow the pipe work from each septic tank and/or soak well until it ends ensuring that there is no outlet to another soak well or leach drain. Soak wells and leach drains may be connected in series and in parallel.
Backfilling the holes left behind must with clean sand. It is also important that the sand be compacted to prevent any possible voids.

Where it is not practicable to completely remove the septic apparatus, the alternative option is to completely break the base of the septic tanks and then back fill the entire system (septic tanks, soak wells/leach drains) with clean sand then compacted to prevent any possible voids. It is recommended, however that the septic system be completely removed particularly where there may be an intention to further develop a property.

Notifying the Town of Bassendean

Upon decommissioning of the septic apparatus, it is imperative that the Town is notified in order to keep an accurate record of existing systems within the Town.

For your reference, on the reverse of this fact sheet, is a copy of the decommissioning form that must be filled out notifying the Town of decommissioning works. This form is to be filled out by the contractor/person who carried out the works and must indicate the number of septic tanks and soak wells / leach drains that were removed. The form is to be returned to the Town with a copy of the liquid waste receipt supplied by the liquid waste contractor as evidence of the pumping out of the system.

Timeframe for decommission

The Town of Bassendean recommends that once connection to sewer has been made, any septic system be decommissioned as soon as possible, as septic systems can collapse without warning. Legally however you must decommission the apparatus within 60 days of a change of use or ownership of the premises, or where foundations for a building are to be built closer than 1.2m to an apparatus or where a building is proposed above an apparatus.

If you wish to carry out decommissioning works or you require more information, please contact the Health Officer on 9377 8000 during office hours.

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