The Policy is being updated to reflect current best practices, improve environmental outcomes and ensure public health protection. It also aligns with changes in guideline documents, advances in technology and community expectations around sustainable wastewater management. By updating the Policy, Council can better manage risks, support residents, and safeguard the local environment for future generations.

The main changes include:

• Renaming the program to On-site Wastewater Management (OWM) to reflect updated guidelines;
• Introducing a risk-based approach (high, medium, low) for all OWM systems, which determines how often an ‘Approval to Operate’ is issued. Until systems are risk-rated, a 3-year approval will continue to be issued;
• Requiring AWTS service sheets to be submitted to Council in a single, electronic PDF format within 14 days of service;
• Updating site assessment criteria;
• Introducing new and amending existing buffer distances, with clarification on the requirements when buffers cannot be met;
• Clarifying Council’s definitions and requirements for commercial systems, systems servicing secondary dwellings and dual occupancies and systems located on flood-prone land;
• Introducing requirements for the decommissioning of OWM systems;
• Updating references to outdated legislation and guideline documents.

If you already have an on-site wastewater system, it must continue to operate safely and effectively without causing pollution or public health risks. If your system is found to be failing or non-compliant, you may be required to repair, upgrade, or replace it, noting that approval from Council is required prior to the modification or replacement of all on-site wastewater management systems. All systems will be assigned a risk rating, which will determine how often Council may inspect your system. Until your system is risk-rated, you will continue to receive a 3-year ‘Approval to Operate’.

Yes. Under the revised Policy, all on-site wastewater systems will be issued an 'Approval to Operate' for either 1, 3, or 5 years, depending on the system’s assessed risk-rating. Property owners will be charged the 'Approval to Operate' fee when the approval is issued or renewed. The fees for 1-year and 5-year approvals are calculated on a pro-rata basis relative to the 3-year approval fee. Furthermore, inspection fees may be charged. All applicable fees are listed in Council’s adopted Fees and Charges document.

You can view the full revised On-site Wastewater Management Policy at https://yoursaypenrith.com.au. Council requires you to provide submissions in writing and can be provided at:

• Email: wastewater@penrith.city
• Mail:
  General Manager
  Penrith City Council
  PO Box 60
  Penrith NSW 2751

Yes. Council may inspect your on-site wastewater system to ensure it is operating safely, effectively, and in line with current standards. The inspection frequency depends on the age and type of your system, the location of your system, environmental constraints of the property and whether there have been complaints or signs of failure. Council will notify you in advance if an inspection is required and will provide guidance on what to expect. These inspections help protect public health and the local environment.