Home sewage treatment plants (HSTP) in the Lockyer Valley

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A home sewage treatment plant (also called an aerated wastewater treatment system, AWTS, or on-site treatment plant) uses mechanical, biological and filtration stages to treat household wastewater. The treated water is then dispersed over an approved land application area, usually through above-ground or below-ground irrigation. Because the water leaving the plant is cleaner than septic effluent, a treatment plant can suit sites where a conventional septic trench can't.

The model must be approved in Queensland

You can't install just any plant. On-site sewage treatment plants need a Queensland treatment plant approval under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, as well as council approval for your property. Business Queensland publishes the list of currently approved plants and their expiry dates. A plant without a valid approval can't be installed as part of an on-site sewage facility in Queensland. Ask your installer which model they propose and check it against the list.

Source: Business Queensland – Installing on-site sewage facilities (opens in a new tab).

Servicing is compulsory

This is the biggest difference from a septic tank:

• Treatment plants must be serviced in line with the conditions of their approval. For aerated plants, that's typically every three months (QBCC Home Owners Guide to Plumbing Matters (opens in a new tab)).
• The person servicing it must be licensed with an on-site sewerage facility endorsement (or hold the relevant restricted licence) (Bundaberg Regional Council summary of licence categories (opens in a new tab)).
• The service report goes to you and to council. The Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 sets a timeframe of 10 business days (Fraser Coast Regional Council summary (opens in a new tab)). Confirm the current local requirements with Lockyer Valley Regional Council's plumbing team on 1300 005 872.
• As the owner, you're legally responsible for keeping it serviced.

Budget for servicing as an ongoing cost, not just the install.

What affects the cost

We don't publish prices because they depend on your block and the plant chosen. On any quote, check:

• Plant brand and capacity: sized to the design flow, usually based on the number of bedrooms.
• Land application area: surface or subsurface irrigation, its size, and any landscaping it needs.
• Power: a dedicated electrical supply to the plant, done by a licensed electrician.
• Excavation and access: rock, slope and machinery access.
• Design and council fees: the site and soil evaluation, design, permit and inspections.
• Commissioning and the first service: whether they're included.
• Ongoing servicing: the cost per visit at the interval your plant's approval requires, for as long as you own it.

Questions to ask before you hire

1. Which plant are you proposing, and is its Queensland treatment plant approval current?
2. Is the quote for supply only, or supply, install, irrigation, electrical and commissioning?
3. Who will service it, how often, and what does each service cost?
4. What alarms does it have, and what should I do if one goes off?
5. What's your QBCC licence number, and does it include the on-site sewerage endorsement?