Wastewater Management

On this page:

• On-site Wastewater Management
• Code of Practice

• Application Forms for the Installation of On-site Wastewater Systems
• Product Approval of an On-site Wastewater System
• Register of Product Approved On-site Wastewater Systems
• Recycled Water Systems
• Fact Sheets

On-site Wastewater Management

Local Government Authorities in the Northern Territory have no jurisdiction over the approval of on-site wastewater systems, i.e. septic tank installations.

Conventional septic tank installations are predominantly certified by self-certifying plumbers or designers, though the administrative process is dependent on whether the installation is located within a Building Control Area (urban areas and along main highways) or outside Building Control Areas (i.e. remote areas).

The Department of Planning and Infrastructure administers the provisions of the Building Act and Regulations with respect to all septic tank installations within Building Control Areas.

Environmental Health administers the provisions of the Public and Environmental Health Act and Regulations with respect to all on-site wastewater systems located outside Building Control Areas, and also processes Notifications & Site-Specific Design Approvals for alternative septic tank systems within Building Control Areas. Environmental Health may also approve conventional septic tank installations, particularly those on grant-funded indigenous housing projects.

Code of Practice

The Code of Practice for Small On-site Sewage and Sullage Treatment Systems and the Disposal or Reuse of Sewage Effluent is the design manual for on-site wastewater management in the Northern Territory. This document is also available in hard copy from Environmental Health who can be contacted on (08) 8922 7152.

Application Forms for the Installation of On-site Wastewater Systems

Product Approval of an On-site Wastewater System

All on-site wastewater systems require product approval from the Department before marketing, sale or installation in the Northern Territory. Product approval provides authorisation for the sale or use of pre-manufactured products anywhere in the Northern Territory. This is subject to local conditions imposed through site-specific design approvals by the Chief Health Officer.

Pre-manufactured products include septic tanks, aerated wastewater treatment systems (AWTS), greywater reuse systems, composting toilets and biological filter systems.

An application for Product Approval of an on-site wastewater system must be submitted to the Director of Environmental Health. It must be accompanied by the relevant fee and information detailed in the application form.

Register of Product Approved On-site Wastewater Systems

Recycled Water Systems 

Recycled water is an integral part of ensuring a sustainable water supply in the Northern Territory. With the changes and improvements in technology, the effect of climate change on water resources, population growth and the increasing price of water, future demand for recycled water is expected to rise.

In November 2006, the National Environment Protection and Heritage Council, the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and the Australian Health Ministers Conference released the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 1).  These guidelines update and replace the National Guidelines for Sewerage Systems - Use of Reclaimed Water 2000 which are currently referenced in Part 5 of the NT Code of Practice for Small On-site Sewage and Sullage Treatment System and the Disposal or Reuse of Sewage Effluent.

The Guidelines for Management of Recycled Water Systems align the principles outlined in the Australian guideline to the DHF approvals process for large recycled water systems that generally service more than 150 EP. The news guidelines provide practical advice, including some examples, for obtaining approval to install and operate a recycled water system in the NT.

Fact Sheets - Wastewater Management