Why does onsite wastewater management matter?

Managing wastewater properly is essential to protect public health, the environment, and our local waterways. If onsite wastewater management systems (OWMS)—such as septic tanks—are not maintained, they can leak harmful contaminants into rivers, lakes, and neighbouring properties resulting in potential health risks.

In areas not yet connected to the reticulated sewerage system, OWMS play a vital role in keeping our community and environment safe.

Swan Hill Rural City Council’s OWMP

Under Victorian law, all councils must develop an onsite wastewater management plan (OWMP) to ensure these wastewater systems are properly maintained and managed.

The OWMP provides Council with a:

· Planning tool to enable long term strategies to be developed for wastewater management

· Framework to facilitate decision making and policy about individual OWMS installations, including enforcement and compliance options where required.

The OWMP will provide an informed and targeted direction, through the Action Plan, for Council and its wastewater partner agencies to action the strategies that address wastewater issues facing the municipality over the next five years.

Focus areas

An assessment of Swan Hill Rural City Councils OWMS data has helped form the following focus areas for the next 5 years:

1. Improve information management

2. Increase community education and awareness

3. Review and strengthen regulatory management

4. Improve collaboration with strategic partners