Replacing a failed on-site wastewater system, or putting one in for a new build, is a civil, plumbing and environmental job rolled into one. In the Hunter Valley, system design is governed by AS/NZS 1547:2012 and each council's On-Site Sewage Management policy, and the installation itself is licensed plumbing and drainage work under NSW law.
Hunter Valley Septic looks after the part that comes before and after the dig: assessing the site, sizing the right system, helping you through the council Section 68 paperwork, and then servicing the system once it is running. The installation, plumbing and drainage work is carried out by licensed plumbing and drainage contractors we work with, and their NSW licence number appears on every quote. We cover Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton, Port Stephens, Dungog, and Muswellbrook.
How a Replacement Comes Together
- Site & Soil Assessment: On-site inspection of the existing system, borehole percolation testing arranged to establish soil permeability (Hunter alluvial clays behave very differently from coastal sands), and a plain-English report on what has failed and why.
- System Sizing: Working out the treatment plant size and the Land Application Area and buffer distances from bedroom count and fixture load, so the council submission is right the first time.
- Council Section 68 Paperwork: Helping you assemble the wastewater management report, soil results, site plan and plumbing diagrams for lodgement with your LGA council.
- Installation by a Licensed Contractor: Excavation, tank setting, pipework, and the absorption trenches or irrigation driplines are carried out by the licensed plumbing and drainage contractor named on your quote, who also handles council sign-off on the installed work.
- Commissioning & Ongoing Service: Once the system is live we set up the first AWTS service schedule or pump-out interval, so the new system stays compliant from day one.
System Options We Assess and Arrange
- Advanced AWTS Units (Fuji Clean, Taylex, Aqua Nova): Secondary treatment systems producing disinfected recycled water for garden irrigation. Ideal for acreage blocks and small rural residential lots.
- Conventional Concrete & Poly Septic Tanks: Gravity systems with absorption trenches for large rural properties with suitable soils.
- Commercial Wastewater Treatment Systems: Scaled systems for cellar doors, microbreweries, rural wedding venues, and farm stays.
To arrange an on-site assessment for your new build or replacement project, call our team on **(02) 4058 1923** or use our Replacement Cost Estimator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new septic system cost to install in NSW? ▼
A standard concrete septic tank with gravity absorption trenches costs $12,000 to $18,000 AUD. A secondary Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS) with irrigation field costs $15,000 to $25,000+ AUD, including council approvals and geotech soil reports.
Who actually carries out the installation? ▼
Installation, plumbing and drainage work on an on-site sewage system is licensed work in NSW. It is carried out by licensed plumbing and drainage contractors we work with, and their NSW licence number appears on every quote. Hunter Valley Septic handles the assessment, sizing, council paperwork support and the ongoing pump-out and AWTS servicing once the system is running.
What approvals are required before installing a septic system in NSW? ▼
You must obtain Section 68 Approval from your local council (Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton, Port Stephens, etc.). This requires an on-site wastewater management report, soil percolation test, and site plan prepared by a wastewater consultant.
How long does a septic installation take? ▼
Council approval typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Once approved, the site excavation, tank installation, and irrigation or trench laying takes the licensed installer 2 to 4 working days.