Water & Wastewater
Water Testing
The Shire of Manjimup can undertake testing of your water for both microbiological and chemical parameters.
For microbiological samples the results of the water analysis will show the potential for pathogens to be present in the water source and therefore determining if remedial action is required to improve water quality. Drinking water sources, which have the most importance because of the potential transmission of pathogenic bacteria to humans, may include rainwater tanks, dams and bore water sources that do not have any form of disinfection equipment. The cost for bacterial water sampling is currently $27.50 GST inclusive and results are usually available within one week. The PathCentre is utilised for this work.
For chemical water sampling, analysis is made for a range of elements including total dissolved solids, pH, hardness, magnesium and iron as well as a range of heavy metals including lead, arsenic and mercury. The cost as at May 2003 is currently $185 GST inclusive and results are usually available within two weeks. Private laboratories are used for this work (Analytical Reference Laboratories).
In each case, an Environmental Health Officer using specialised containers must collect the samples; hence water samples brought into the office cannot be accepted. Samples are then sent by courier to laboratories for analysis. Once the results have been returned to the Shire of Manjimup, they will be interpreted and compared with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 1996. You will then be contacted with the information and advice and assistance will be made available in treating the water should it be required.
The Shire of Manjimup will issue invoices for the water sampling service once the water has been collected.
Cost of testing varies and can be provided by contacting Council's Environmental Health Officer on 9771 1366.
- Nitrate in your drinking water
- Rainwater Collection
- Water Filters
- Is your rainwater safe to drink?
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Giardia
- Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 1996
- Disinfection of Water Supplies
Wastewater
It is required that a septic tank application form be submitted to the Shire of Manjimup, along with suitable plans and the fee payable prior to any construction work taking place. If a development is not to be serviced by deep sewerage and will involve plumping works, then a building licence will not be issued without the septic tank application.
For most applications the fee is $130 GST inclusive and will require two copies each of a site plan and floor plan showing all plumbing details. For those developments that are a second or more dwelling on a single lot or a commercial development producing more than 540L per day of effluent, the fee is $130 payable to the Shire of Manjimup with an additional $35 payable to the Executive Director, Public Health. Applications requiring the approval of the EDPH will require three copies each of site plan and floor plan showing all plumbing details. Application and payment are usually made at the same time that a building license is submitted.
Once an application has been received, it will be assessed to ensure it complies with relevant legislation. A site visit will also be made to the property prior to approval being granted to ensure the soil type is suitable and to ascertain the geography of the property to ensure there is adequate fall for the drainage.
The drainage system will need to be inspected once again once all pipes have been laid and septic tanks and leach drains installed but have not yet been back-filled. Once and Environmental Health Officer has inspected the completed system and has given the go ahead, the effluent disposal system may be covered over and used.
Failing to submit a septic tank application, beginning work on the construction of an effluent disposal system prior to approval to construct being granted, or using a system prior to it being given its final approval may all be dealt with by prosecution.