FAQs

Yes, SSA specialises in inspecting existing septics and providing Condition Reports. We assess the system’s age, type, condition, and compliance status. You’ll receive a written report covering any defects, expected maintenance costs, and whether upgrades or replacement may be needed. This is essential information before buying a rural or semi-rural property.

Our Condition Report covers:

• Type of septic system installed on the property
• System condition including tanks, lids, baffles, pumps, and disposal areas
• Compliance (or non-compliance) to local council and EPA regulations
• Upgrade recommendations, if required
• System maintenance requirements

Many buyers underestimate the importance of this inspection, yet septic system issues can result in tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected costs after settlement.

It is helpful for us to know prior to the inspection whether the lids are exposed, or buried, as we may need to allow some extra time onsite to dig up and unearth the lid. SSA can also install lid extensions so you don’t have to dig up the tank every time it needs pumping out.

Yes, SSA assesses existing septic systems and provides advice on repairs, upgrades, or full replacements. Many older Victorian properties have septic systems installed decades ago under different regulations, which are no longer compliant to modern standards. Common issues include:

• Cracked or deteriorating concrete tanks
• Failed absorption trenches
• Undersized capacity for current household usage
• Outdated treatment technology that doesn’t meet current EPA standards

For some properties, targeted repairs can extend the system’s useful life—replacing damaged components, repairing trenches and effluent fields, or upgrading pumps and diffusers.

However, many older properties benefit from converting to AWTS for better treatment, smaller footprint, and water reuse options. Upgrading to an AWTS also offers significant benefits:

• Mitigates health and environmental risks around exposure to poor quality effluent in backyards
• Properties with large absorption areas may reclaim that land once AWTS provides higher-quality effluent for surface irrigation
• Properties with high water tables or poor soil drainage may require AWTS to meet compliance standards
• AWTS lifecycle can be easily extended by desludging tanks and replacing parts and fittings

Full system replacement becomes necessary when existing infrastructure has deteriorated beyond economical repair, when council mandates an upgrade – either during a renovation or new build or upon system failure – or when property use changes in ways the original system cannot accommodate.

We begin with a thorough assessment and provide clear recommendations with transparent pricing for each option.

Yes, treated effluent from an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System meets EPA standards for subsurface irrigation on lawns and gardens, reducing mains water usage and providing a sustainable option for Victorian properties.

This water reuse capability is one of the primary advantages of AWTS over conventional septic tanks. Traditional septic systems produce lower-quality effluent that must be dispersed through absorption trenches below ground, it cannot be applied near the surface. AWTS effluent, by contrast, achieves excellent quality through aeration, clarification, and disinfection processes.

This is particularly valuable in Victoria, where water restrictions and summer dry periods make every drop count. For properties with established gardens or those seeking to reduce mains water consumption, AWTS provides a practical, environmentally responsible solution.

Important restrictions apply even to treated AWTS effluent:

• Should not be used on vegetable gardens where produce may be consumed raw
• Livestock should be sectioned away from the effluent field
• Your system design will specify appropriate irrigation zones and application methods
• Your system must be properly serviced to ensure the quality of effluent is maintained

Your AWTS installation will include an irrigation system designed to distribute treated effluent safely and in compliance with EPA requirements.

The warning signs of a failing septic may include slow-draining fixtures, sewage odours, pooling water or soggy ground near the tank, trenches or effluent area, or unusually lush grass over the disposal area. If you notice any of these, contact SSA for an inspection.

Here’s what each warning sign indicates:

• Slow-draining fixtures throughout your home – sinks, showers, toilets all draining sluggishly – often indicate a blockage or that the tank is overdue for a pump-out. If multiple fixtures are affected simultaneously, the septic system itself is usually the cause.
• Sewage odours inside your home or outside near the tank and disposal area indicate wastewater isn’t being properly contained or treated. This may result from a full tank, failed baffles, or saturated absorption trenches.
• Pooling water or soggy ground near the septic tank or irrigation area—especially when it hasn’t rained—suggests the disposal area is no longer absorbing effluent effectively. This can result from soil saturation, trench failure, or an overloaded system.
• Unusually lush or green grass directly over the tank or trenches, compared to surrounding areas, may indicate effluent is surfacing rather than dispersing properly underground.
• Sewage backing up into household drains is the most urgent symptom, requiring immediate professional attention.
• Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems are also fitted with audible and flashing alarms, indicating pump failures or high water levels

Early diagnosis can often resolve issues with repairs or pump-outs, avoiding the need for full system replacement.

Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems require quarterly servicing, which is mandated by Victorian councils. All tanks also need pump-outs every 3–5 years depending on household size and usage. Regular servicing extends system life and maintains compliance.

AWTS servicing is essential because these systems have moving parts including air blowers, pumps, and diffusers. During a standard quarterly service, accredited technicians:

• Change aeration pump filters
• Clean aeration disc diffusers
• Check chlorine or UV disinfection systems
• Inspect pumps and alarms
• Test effluent quality and turbidity levels

Service reports are made available to your local council to maintain compliance with your Permit to Use.

Conventional septic tanks require less frequent attention but still need regular pump-outs (desludging). Over time, solid sludge accumulates at the bottom of the tank, reducing effective capacity. If not removed, this sludge can overflow into absorption trenches, causing blockages and system failure.

Property owners should maintain a record of all maintenance, including desludge history and service reports. This documentation demonstrates compliance to council, helps diagnose future issues, and provides proof of maintenance if you sell the property.

With proper maintenance, AWTS systems can operate effectively for decades—their lifecycle can be easily extended by desludging all tanks and replacing parts and fittings as needed.

Yes! All onsite wastewater systems in Victoria require a permit from your local council. SSA handles the full application process, including site and soil assessments, system design, compliance documentation, and liaison with the Environmental Health Officer at your local council.

The approval process involves two main permits:

• Permit to Install: Authorises construction and installation according to an approved design
• Permit to Use: Issued after the system passes inspection, confirming it complies with EPA regulations

Councils typically require supporting documentation including:

• Land Capability Assessment (LCA): A professional evaluation of soil type, permeability, groundwater depth, slope, and other factors determining which system types are suitable
• House plans, Titles and the completed Permit application form, with permit payment
• System design and specifications: Detailed plans showing tank placement, irrigation areas, setback distances, and EPA compliance
• EPA compliance documentation: Confirmation the proposed system meets Environment Protection Authority guidelines

Operating without correct permits can result in fines, rectification costs, and may create legal complications if you later sell the property.

Most residential installations take 1– 3 days from excavation to completion, with the overall timeline, including permits, typically 4–8 weeks. SSA manages council applications, site preparation, installation, and final inspection.

The permitting process often represents the longest phase. All onsite wastewater systems in Victoria require a Permit to Install from your local council before any work can begin. Councils may also require a Land Capability Assessment evaluating soil type, groundwater levels, slope, and proximity to waterways. Depending on your council’s workload and site complexity, permit approval can take two to six weeks.

Once septic permits are secured, the physical installation proceeds through our comprehensive process covering:

• Site preparation and excavation
• Installation of Tanks and connection to household plumbing
• Installation of pumps, aeration equipment, and electrical connections (for AWTS)
• Construction of effluent disposal areas
• System testing and commissioning
• Paperwork and documentation to obtain the Permit to Use the system

We manage the entire process on your behalf, preparing and submitting council applications, coordinating assessments, liaising with council officers, and scheduling installation and final inspection. This turnkey approach minimises delays and ensures your system meets all EPA and council compliance requirements from day one.

A septic tank provides primary treatment and requires large absorption trenches, while an AWTS provides secondary treatment and produces effluent of a higher quality, suitable for surface irrigation and other types of dispersal fields, ideal for smaller blocks, poor soil, or properties in environmentally sensitive areas.

A conventional septic tank collects wastewater from your home, where naturally occurring bacteria digest organic matter. Solids settle at the bottom while partially treated liquid flows out to absorption trenches. The quality of this effluent is relatively poor, which is why the effluent must be dispersed to the land via absorption trenches underground, to safely disperse wastewater into the soil.

An AWTS (Aerated Wastewater Treatment System) adds mechanical aeration, clarification, and disinfection processes. Aeration introduces oxygen, encouraging aerobic bacteria to break down organic matter far more effectively. The result is excellent quality effluent that meets EPA standards for subsurface irrigation on lawns and gardens.

Key advantages of AWTS include:

• Suitable for smaller blocks and properties with limited space
• Works on sites with poor soil drainage or high water tables
• Effluent can be reused for garden irrigation, reducing mains water consumption
• Lifecycle can be easily extended by desludging tanks and replacing parts and fittings

However, AWTS units require continuous power and quarterly servicing by an accredited technician, a council-mandated requirement in Victorian municipalities.

The cost of servicing commercial systems will depend on the type, size, location and other special requirements, please contact SSA to discuss specific requirements.

The cost of a residential general service costs between $110 – $125, depending on the location of your property.

SSA offers flexible payment options so have the choice of two types of contracts:

1. Annual Contract
   Pay once, annually. Includes four services – one service every three months. Payment methods available: Cheque, Bank transfer or Credit Card
2. Pay-per-Service Contract
   Pay on completion of each service. We will service your system every three months, ongoing until you tell us to stop! Payment methods available: Credit Card only for this option.

Get in touch to organise your payment options.