Wastewater
To help protect our waterways, land, and community health, its important wastewater is managed properly. Where a wastewater connection is available, properties are generally required to connect. Where there is no connection, they must use and maintain an on-site system.
Types of on-site wastewater systems
Where no wastewater connection is available, you will need to provide an on-site wastewater system such as a septic tank or aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS).
Rules for on-site wastewater systems
The On-Site Effluent Treatment Regional Plan sets the rules for how household wastewater must be treated and disposed of safely to help protect water quality in the Bay of Plenty.
Maintaining your wastewater system
Unless properly maintained, on-site wastewater systems can become a serious health hazard, by spreading disease and contaminating water.
Wastewater requirements across the Bay of Plenty are identified through different OSET Zones, covering areas connected to public networks as well as locations where on-site systems require additional management.
Approved OSET system designers
This page contains our lists of approved OSET system designers throughout the Bay of Plenty.
Granny flats and wastewater requirements
New rules allow granny flats (also known as minor residential units) to be built without a resource consent. However, wastewater requirements still apply.