Applying for a Sewer Service Diagram (SSD)
Upon application, Council may be able to provide a Sewer Service Diagram (SSD) identifying the location of council’s sewer mains and private wastewater service pipes on a property. These diagrams have been compiled on the best available information, but can only be taken as a guide. Exact location should be physically determined on site.
To make an application for this diagram refer to Plannning & Environment’s ‘Applications & Forms’ section of the website and complete the Application for Property Information Certificate and submit to Council with the relevant fee.
Completing a Sewer Service Diagram (SSD)
Where new or upgrading plumbing and drainage work is carried out, approval is required and it is critical that it is inspected by Cobar Shire Council. Plumbers must book an inspection and submit an updated or new SSD layout to Council for any completed drainage work.
All Sewer Service Diagrams (SSD) need to be submitted meeting the following specifications:
For further definition of the Point of Connection refer to the Point of Connection web notes on the Department of Fair Trading’s website.
Licensee details must also be provided on SSD including:
Below are templates in PDF format that you may use to design your SSD, alternatively a larger range of templates can be downloaded from the Department of Fair Trading’s website.
Onsite Sewage Management Systems
If your home is not connected to a reticulated sewer, you are likely to have some type of Onsite Sewage Management System (OSMS). Onsite sewage management is often referred to as decentralized sewage management. An OSMS is any system that stores or treats sewage.
The following provides essential information to residents regarding onsite sewage management:
Monitoring Program
On-site sewage management systems are regulated by Council in accordance with relevant legislation.
Registering Your System
All systems must be registered with Council. Council approval is required for the installation, alteration and operation of a system. Subsequent owners must obtain an Approval to Operate.
Existing Systems
If you have an existing system that is not currently registered with Council, you must submit an application for Approval to Operate an OSMS. By lodging the application you will be granted interim approval until such time as Council has carried out an inspection of the system. Following inspection, providing the system complies with Council’s requirements, the system will be allocated a risk category and inspection frequency. If the system is not satisfactory, Council will advise what needs to be done to gain approval to operate.
New Systems
If you are installing a new system, an Application for Section 68 must be lodged with Council. An application for Approval to Operate must also be summitted to Council prior to commissioning the system. The installation must be inspected by Council before you move into your home. Upon a satisfactory inspection, Council will then issue you with an Approval.
New Owner
If you have recently purchased a property with an OSMS, you will need to submit an application for Approval to Operate an OSMS within two (2) months of the transfer of title. It is essential that new owners are educated in the management of their on-site system. Council is not immediately informed of property transfers from NSW Land & Property, therefore it is recommended that you submit an application to Council as soon as possible after your purchase.
Installing a Septic System
An approval to install an OSMS is issued by Council under the Local Government Act and must be obtained prior to carrying out any work. The system must be installed by a licensed plumber registered for work in NSW.
Refer to Planning & Environment’s ‘Applications & Forms’ section of the website to download an Application for Section 68 for approval relating to an onsite sewer management system.
Types of Septic Systems
There are many different systems available, including:
When choosing a septic system the most important thing to consider is how it will be used and who will use it. Each user and site may have different factors which will determine the type of system most suitable.
Under the provisions of Clause 40 and 41, Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 a local council must not approve the installation of a sewage management facility unless it has been accredited by NSW Health. For further information on accredited systems and a full list of those available, visit NSW Health
All sewer drainage (including aerial drainage on the floor at the connection level) must be shown on the diagram including the point of connection to the NUO sewer. However, you do not need to draw or include any sanitary plumbing.
Yes. Critical dimensions must be noted on the diagram.
Yes. If an encroaching private service, joint service or community title sewer is known or indicated on an existing diagram please label as a ‘Private service’, ‘Joint service’ or a ‘Community title sewer’. An encroaching service is any private sewer pipe that is extending across the property boundary from another property. Refer to Diagram B and Diagram C.
Yes. Where a private sewer is disconnected and the junction sealed within the property boundaries the SSD should be amended with an ‘X‘ at the point of disconnection and noted with ‘junction sealed’. For properties that are demolished (vacant land) only the Lot boundaries and frontage need to be shown with the point of disconnection marked (X).
Yes. All household drainage as well as the Onsite treatment device (greywater or blackwater) needs to be shown. Refer to example Diagram A.
Diagrams larger than A3 size will be accepted as soft copies only. The SSD documents need to be provided using the symbols and abbreviations shown on the legend template. Plumbing details should be clearly hand written or typed. A legend template should be inserted to the diagram you are submitting. If you are using an ‘as built’ diagram, show only the sewer drainage and building outline for readability.
You can obtain the existing diagram (if available) and amend by adding only the work you are doing. However you must remove any unnecessary information as per new SSD requirements. An acceptable method to draw new work for an existing SSD, large property or complex installation is to use a locality plan with an appropriately labelled inset and exploded view. Refer to example Diagram E.
Where an SSD of an existing property is not available the licensee conducting new work must investigate the existing work to ensure connection and operation and show the assumed drainage on his SSD as a dashed line (see legend) when submitting the SSD. Refer to example Diagram D.
Yes. Only for the work you have carried out and nominated in your Notice of Work (NoW) and Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
Yes. For each part of drainage booked for inspection a part sketch must be supplied to show work installed. The sketch does not need to be to scale but must be neat and clear enough to read. The final SSD supplied for the completed drainage (final drainage inspection) must show all drainage and comply with requirements.
Yes. A non-compliance notice will be issued if a compliant SSD and CoC are not submitted toCouncil. If an inspection takes place, this paperwork must be given to the Council Officer. If there is no inspection, then you must post or email the SSD and CoC to Cobar Shire Council within 7 business days of completing the job.
If the non-compliance is not rectified within the prescribed time, a reminder notice will be reissued to the plumber and advice sent to the customer/owner. If the non-compliance is not fixed within the nominated time, then Fair Trading may take further action.
Yes. However, you are still responsible for the accuracy of the content of the diagram and must ensure the licensee detail section is filled out and signed by you.
The SSD must be given to the Counicl Officer if an inspection takes place. If an inspection does not take place, then the SSD must be sent to Cobar Shire Council within 7 business days of the work being completed.
The preferred method of sending a SSD is via email to [email protected] (faxed copies are not acceptable due to poor quality) OR Mail to:
Cobar Shire Council
Planning & Environmental Services Department
PO Box 223
COBAR NSW 2835
For more information on SSDs you can contact Council’s Planning & Environmental Staff
