Unrestricted Burning Period

The Unrestricted Burning Period is in effect. Residents in rural zoned areas can burn at any time without a permit, but must do so safely and responsibly. Burning is not allowed on days with a HIGH or greater Fire Danger Rating or during a Total Fire Ban. Read more about how the Unresricted Burning Period works.

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  4. Septic Tanks and Effluent Waste Disposal

Septic Tanks and Effluent Waste Disposal

The majority of areas within the City of Kwinana are connected to the sewer network, however the rural and industrial areas often require on-site effluent disposal systems to be installed.​

Conventional primary treatment septic systems are no longer approved in the City of Kwinana. Only certain approved wastewater systems can be installed within the City of Kwinana environmentally sensitive areas including within the Public Drinking Water Source, Peel Harvey Catchment or Cockburn Sound Catchment areas.

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Application to Install an Effluent Disposal System

All onsite effluent disposal systems in the City of Kwinana must be approved by the City’s Environmental Health team.

You can lodge an Application for a Wastewater System online under 'Planning, Building, Health Applications' via our online portal Kwinana Connectonline under 'Planning, Building, Health Applications' via our online portal Kwinana Connect.

To apply online, you will be required to complete and upload the Application to Construct or Install an Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage​​ and submit it with the required fee, plans, and specifications.

This fee covers both:

  • Approval to Construct, and
  • Permit to Use (issued after installation and final inspection).

If your property generates more than 540L of sewage per day (except for single dwellings with up to 8 people), approval from the Department of Health is required.

Important: You must not use an effluent disposal system until a City officer has approved it and issued a Permit to Use.

Selecting an Effluent Disposal System

Some areas in Kwinana must use nutrient-retentive effluent disposal systems to protect local water sources from nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.

  • Nitrogen-sensitive areas: Wellard (West of Freeway), Kwinana Beach, Naval Base, Hope Valley, Postans, The Spectacles, Mandogalup.
  • Phosphorus-sensitive areas: Wellard (East of Freeway), Wandi, Casuarina, Anketell.

To check if your property is connected to the sewer system, contact Water Corporation at 13 13 95 or visit their website.

For a list of approved effluent disposal systems, visit the Department of Health’s website.​.

Greywater Treatment Systems

Greywater systems reuse wastewater but do not treat water from toilets or kitchen sinks. For installation advice, see the advice on the installation of greywater systems.

Mechanical equipment wash down

You must not wash vehicles or machinery unless your property is connected to a sewer or has City or Department of Health approval for an on-site wastewater disposal system. Requirements for vehicle and machinery wash-down areas.

For wastewater disposal guidelines, refer to  Department of Water and Environmental Regulations Water Quality Protection Note 68.

Legislation

Effluent disposal systems must comply with various regulations including:

Legislations

Decommissioning Septic Tanks

If your property connects to mains sewer, you must decommission the septic tank system when:

  1. The property is sold (new owners have 60 days to decommission it).
  2. The use of the premises changes (owner has 60 days to decommission it).
  3. New building work is planned (e.g., a structure is built too close to the septic system).

Decommissioning process:

  • Pump out septic tanks, soakwells, and leach drains using a licensed Liquid Waste Contractor.
  • Remove tanks or break lids/bases and fill with clean sand.

For more details, see the Decommissioning Guidelines​ on the City of Kwinana’s website.

Should you have further questions, please speak to an Environmental Health Officer on 9439 0475 or lodge an request online via our online portal Kwinana Connect (Select “Lodge a Request” and Select “Health Permits and Regulations”).

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City of Kwinana kaditj kalyakoorl moondang-ak kaaradj midi boodjar-ak nyininy, yakka wer waabiny, Noongar moort. Ngala kaditj baalap kalyakoorl nidja boodjar wer kep kaaradjiny, baalap moorditj nidja yaakiny-ak wer moorditj moort wer kaditj Birdiya wer yeyi.

The City of Kwinana acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and play, the Nyoongar people. We recognise their connection to the land and local waterways, their resilience and commitment to community and pay our respect to Elders past and present.

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