Section 68 Sewer

When an applicant wishes to have Council’s sewer services extended to their property, firstly, Council would need to investigate to see if there is enough fall (gravity mains) for the sewerage to move to the Pump Station. If not enough fall then the gravity main extension cannot go ahead.

If OK to extend, the applicant must obtain written approval from all other landowners within 75 metres of the proposed mains extension as these properties become eligible for paying sewer access charges (sewer rates) as per Local Government Act 1993 Section 552. If any landowners object to this proposed main extension, then the extension cannot go ahead. If all landowners agree then the proposed main extension can be investigated for feasibility.

If approved Council charges include one off charges, such as an investigation fee, contribution fees (explained below), property connection and connection to existing infrastructure charges.
Annual charges will include access and usage.

Please contact Griffith City Council for more information relating to non-residential type connections.

Most sewer main construction costs are borne by the applicant (and other beneficiaries, where applicable). Minimum sewer main pipe size is 150mm.
Construction costs can vary greatly according to difficulty, however, as a guide, minimum cost would be approx. $170/metre, (excluding rock, limited space, road/rail crossings, relocation of existing services etc.). The applicant must appoint an experienced contractor for this work.

Contribution Fees

Water & Wastewater Development Contribution Charge Section 64 Local Government Act – to contribute to the required water infrastructure a contribution fee is required to be paid for an increase in demand on that infrastructure.

For current costs view Council’s Revenue Policy

1. Applying for a Sewer Extension of Gravity Main, Sewer Junction Cut-in or extension of a Low Pressure Sewer Main.

The applicant will need to apply for a Section 68 through the NSW Planning Portal and upload a proper design plan which will need to be approved by our Engineers.
When the Section 68 Application has been approved by Council, the Applicant must then contact Council’s Utilities Inspector on 1300 176 077, giving at least 24 hours’ notice to discuss time of works PRIOR to any work commencing.
When works are completed and an inspection has been conducted and approved by Council’s Utilities Inspector, only then can the work area be backfilled.
Once completed and finalised the Applicant is to submit to Council ‘Works as Executed’ drawings which are to be completed by a surveyor and signed off to the requirements outlined in Council’s Engineering Guidelines.
When all of the above has been satisfactorily completed, Council will issue a Certificate of Completion.

What supporting information do I need to submit with my application?

  • A Site Plan which must be electronically drawn to scale & include:
    • Council’s sewer main, potable water main & street drainage system showing where any proposed connection to this infrastructure is proposed.
    • North point & Road names. (see attached example drawing below)
  • A Floor Plan drawn electronically to scale, displaying internal layout for the building (this includes sanitary drainage, stormwater & reticulated water supply).
  • Council may request hydraulic designs by a suitable qualified Engineer when applicable.
Note: This supporting information applies to the Section 68 Activity work only. Additional information WILL be required if submitting a Development Application. For further information regarding supporting information, please refer to the Development Information Guides.

What fees are payable?

Fees and charges will be assessed based on the proposed works to be carried out in accordance with Council’s Revenue Policy. For more information about fees, to obtain a quote for your development application, please contact Council’s Customer Service Officers on 1300 176 077.

It is an offence under the Local Government Act 1993 Section 626 to conduct any works on Council’s sewer mains, potable water mains and drainage systems without a Section 68 Approval.

2. Applying for a Low Pressure Sewer Grinder Pump Unit

Information on Sewerage Grinder Pumps for the Builder

The property to which the application applies is to be serviced by a pressure sewerage system. This replaces a septic system and consists of a below-ground collection chamber/pump unit which stores, grinds and pumps sewage under pressure into Council’s sewer. This sewage comes from your toilet, sink, shower, bath, dishwasher and washing machine, and is pumped from the property to Council’s sewage treatment plant
 
To ensure trouble free installation and commissioning, please note the following:

Section 68 Application and Conditions of Work

The owner or builder is to make a Section 68 Application through the NSW Planning Portal. Council notes that your builder may also be the applicant and all correspondence will be between Council and yourself or the builder. The location of the equipment should be decided with the owners and the plumber. Unit will only be installed on completion of new premises and the site has been cleared.

Ensure all details as requested on the Section 68 application are provided. A contact phone number is essential if further information regarding the application is required.
If you are making a non-residential application, you will need to provide an approximate number of employees on the premises once the business is fully operational. If the business will be discharging waste to sewer other than normal toilet and sink usage, consultation with Council is mandatory and may also require the completion of a Notification to Discharge application. This will need to be addressed in the early stages as a different pumping unit or additional trade waste facilities may be required, possibly resulting in delays.

Swimming pool backwash systems cannot be discharged to a Low Pressure Sewer System unless a Holding Tank is installed. Designs are to be submitted to Council prior to approval being granted.

A boundary kit may already be installed in either one of the front corners of your block. You should see a black rectangular plastic lid at ground level. If you are unsure or cannot locate it, please contact Council. If a boundary kit has not been provided, one will be installed by Council as part of the overall pressure sewer installation.

The depth of the sewer at the collection tank must not exceed 1.1 metres. Without allowing for passive or adverse block profile, this depth allows for up to 45 metres of gravity sewerage pipework leading into the pump station. It is preferred to keep the distance between the property fixtures and the collection tank to a minimum and avoid expensive pressure sewer unit relocation. The collection tank will need to be located on the same side of the lot as the boundary kit and clear of driveways or within garden beds. If in doubt, contact Council.

An alarm panel will be installed as part of the pressure sewer system. The panel is equipped with a red alarm light that will illuminate in the event of a fault. The panel shall be visible from the collection tank and from the street for service purposes. The alarm panel shall be no more than 10 metres from the collection tank and be mounted on the outside wall of the dwelling. The panel may be mounted on a remote stand subject to approval by Council and the additional cost of cabling and the stand is to be met by the applicant.

Once the application has been approved, the Applicant shall contact Council’s Utilities Inspector regarding the works in order to verify and program the works. Planning for the installation including application and coordination of the various stages of install shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant who will maintain contact with Council’s Utility Inspector throughout the course of the work.

Works carried out by the Builder will take into account the need for Council’s accredited installer to provide an electrical conduit from the alarm panel to the collection tank at 500mm depth and mechanical protection of the cable under the panel.

Works carried out by Council includes installation of the collection tank, alarm panel (to wires provided by others), property discharge pipe, boundary kit (and hot tap to the main if not provided) and full commissioning that may require multiple visits.

The builder’s electrician shall carry out electrical works as detailed in the above to ensure that Council can commission and operate the grinder pump, otherwise the pressure sewer unit will not be connected.

What fees are payable?

Fees and charges will be assessed based on the proposed works to be carried out in accordance with Council’s Revenue Policy. For more information about fees, to obtain a quote for your development application, please contact Council’s Customer Service Officers on 1300 176 077.

For current costs go to Council’s Revenue Policy

What supporting information do I need to submit with my application?

  • A Site Plan which must be electronically drawn to scale & include:
    • Council’s sewer main showing where any proposed connection to this infrastructure is proposed.
    • North point & Road names. (see attached example drawing below)
Please see Griffith City Council’s standard drawings below for reference:
STD-S-09 Link to Installation of a Sewer Low Pressure Grinder Pump System Drawing(PDF, 400KB)

Installation guidelines

For your electrician:
  • Power supply for the alarm panel MUST be a dedicated circuit from the main switchboard to the Alarm panel point via a 20A motor rated (table D) circuit breaker with 1.5 metres spare cable at the protrusion;
  • The circuit breaker and neutral link must be clearly labelled ‘GCC SEWER PUMP’
  • Power cable protrusion at the external wall for the panel shall be at 1350mm above finished surface level at the panel.
  • The supply from the MSB to the alarm panel is by 4mmsq T & E cable;
  • Where the alarm panel is mounted on a free-standing frame, the dedicated supply cable shall be located in an orange PVC conduit (corrugated or solid) at a minimum depth of 500mm below finished ground level. AS/NZS 3000-2000 with reference to section table 3.6 & 3.7. to the stand and an additional 3 metres of cable provided to allow mounting of the panel at 1.5 metres above ground level;
  • The applicant shall provide a remote steel, powder coated stand as shown above;
  • The conduit shall have a cable marker positioned not less than 200mm above the wiring system. AS/NZS 3000:2000 with reference to section 3 clauses 3.11.3.4.
  • If in doubt, contact GCC on 1300 176 077.
For your plumber:
  • Maximum depth of the sewer shall not exceed 1.1 metres at the collection tank and please ensure that the tank location has not changed from the applications approved location;
  • When the external sewer is complete, mark the end of the line with a peg;
  • An accredited installer will then install the tank. PLEASE NOTE THE PUMP IS NOT INSTALLED AT THIS STAGE.
  • All lines will need to be flushed during the fit off stage, to remove all debris from the lines;
  • The tank will then need to be pumped out completely prior to pump installation and commissioning;
  • Please ensure that toilets etc are not being used prior to the pump being installed. If necessary, place a ‘DO NOT USE’ sign on the toilets;
  • Once the collection tank has been installed by Councils accredited installer, the Builders plumber will connect to the approved point of connection under the supervision of the Utilities Inspector.
  • All works to AS 3500

  • If in doubt, contact GCC on 1300 176 077.

 

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