On-site Wastewater Systems: Design and Management Manual

1 Auckland Regional Council technical Publication No. 58 (TP 58) OOn-site Wastewater Systems: Design and Management Manual Third Edition ARC technical Publication 2004 Prepared by: A W Ormiston (ARC Consultant) & R E Floyd Auckland Regional Council technical Publication No. 58 (TP 58) On-site Wastewater Systems: Design and Management Manual Treatment and Land Disposal Systems for Domestic Wastewater from Households, Commercial Premises and Similar Facilities Third Edition, August 2004 Prepared by: A W (Sandy) Ormiston Robyn E Floyd Auckland Regional Council technical Publication No.

2 58 (3rd edition), July 2004 COPYRIGHT Auckland Regional Council All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means, for any commercial gain, without the written permission of the publisher. Published by the Auckland Regional Council, Private Bag 92012, Auckland, New Zealand ISSN 1175-205X i PREFACE This Manual addresses the Management of On-site treatment and land disposal of sewage Wastewater from domestic sources. The effective and environmentally sustainable disposal of domestic Wastewater in non-sewered areas is critical for the protection of receiving environments and of public health and to provide for the long-term sustainable use of our environmental resources.

3 The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) encourages continued improvements in Wastewater treatment and disposal methodologies, to protect the environment for current and future generations in the Auckland region. To facilitate achieving this objective, ARC has updated these guidelines, the Third Edition of ARC technical Publication No. 58 (TP 58), to assist with the Design of On-site Wastewater Management systems and to assist with the regulatory assessment of such systems. TP 58 is intended to serve as a guideline Design Manual , rather than a set of regulations in its own right.

4 It also does not provide comprehensive or complete Design details for all of the types of On-site Wastewater treatment and disposal systems available. The Design guidelines in this Manual have been produced to primarily apply to On-site systems for the treatment and disposal of domestic Wastewater from households and from larger types of accommodation, community and public facilities in the Auckland region. They may also apply equally to domestic Wastewater Management systems outside this region, as determined by the relevant regulatory authority, with due consideration of the specific environmental circumstances particular to that region.

5 ARC has developed these guidelines with major assistance from its key consultants and is grateful to them for the comprehensive technical advice received. This edition of TP58 is issued with the acknowledgement that scope remains for further technical details and expansion of detail on some matters. To address these anticipated needs, TP58 will require revision again in due course and/or new addenda and/or technical sheets will be produced where gaps are identified. Finally, while the engineering Design guidelines in this edition are not subject to direct formal consultation, ARC would be pleased to receive specific technical comments for consideration in the preparation of future editions or addenda to this edition as appropriate.

6 Please do not hesitate to forward any comments in writing to The Manager, Land and Water Quality at the address below. Eddie Grogan The Manager Land and Water Quality Auckland Regional Council Auckland Regional Council Private Bag 92 012 AUCKLAND ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In response to needs identified in the On-site Wastewater industry in the late 1990 s.

7 ARC initiated the preparation of the revised third edition of TP58. The material throughout the document is based on extensive searches of local and international literature and is also based on our comprehensive experience with On-site disposal systems in the Auckland region and beyond. ARC gratefully acknowledges the extensive technical assistance provided by Mr Ormiston throughout the preparation of this document, and is most appreciative that a major proportion of his time that was provided at no cost to the Auckland region. ARC also acknowledges the strong leadership and technical guidance provided by Mr Ian Gunn with respect to his preparation of the earlier editions of TP58 and in the On-site Wastewater industry over the years.

8 This provided the foundation on which these revised guidelines could be based. Mr Gunn s technical advice was much appreciated in the early stages of the preparation of this edition, and then again towards the final stages of the draft edition. The quality diagrams and schematics throughout the document were prepared by Mr Don Abbott of Handline Illustrations and the document was formatted by PDF Communications Ltd. ARC is appreciative of both parties creativity, attention to detail and rapid responses to requests. A consultative draft of this document was circulated to key consultants, equipment supply companies and other interested parties for comment.

9 Comments on technical details have been gratefully received from the following parties: Design Consultants: Mr Colin Ashby (Ashby Consulting Ltd), Mr Peter Riddell (Ecogent Ltd), Mr Brett Black & Grant Fleming (Riley Consultants Ltd), Mr Peter Gearing (URS New Zealand Ltd), Mr Hugh Fendall (Hugh Fendall Consultants Ltd.), Mr Tim Rimmer. system Suppliers: Mr Rick Soar & Mr Paul Riethmaier (Reflections Treatment Systems Ltd), Mr Jeff Buchan & Mr Brent Hawthorn (Innoflow Technologies Ltd), Ms Jane High (Hynds Environmental), Mr Lewis Austin (Oasis Clearwater Systems Ltd), Mr Allan Hanson (Irrigation Technologies Ltd), Mr Wayne Ingham (Netafim New Zealand) and Mr Rodney Ruskin (Geoflow Inc.)

10 Regulatory Advisors: Mr Bruce Fulford (Rodney District Council), Dr David Sinclair (Medical Officer of Health, Auckland Region Public Health Service), Dr Margaret Leonard (Institute of Environmental and Science and Research Ltd), Mr Brent Fletcher (Environment Waikato), Mr Terry Long (Franklin District Council), Mr Glen Moser and Mr Graham Leonard (Waitakere City Council), Mr Graham Boyle & Mr John Waetford (Auckland City Council), George Little & Alan McColl (Manukau City Council) and further contributions from other local Council and ARC staff.