Septic and wastewater help across the Toowoomba region
Plenty of homes, farms and small businesses around Toowoomba aren't connected to town sewer. Instead they rely on an on-site sewerage facility (OSSF): a conventional septic tank with absorption trenches, an aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS) that irrigates treated water onto the yard, a sand filter, or one of the other approved system types. When these systems are looked after they run quietly for years. When they're not, you get smells, soggy ground, alarms and expensive repairs.
This site does two things. First, it explains in plain English what your system needs and what the rules are in Queensland and the Toowoomba Regional Council area, with links to the official sources. Second, if you need someone to come out, you can call or send one short enquiry and we'll connect you with an independent, licensed local provider.
Septic pump-outs
Desludging for septic tanks, AWTS primary chambers, holding tanks and the septic tanks on Common Effluent Disposal schemes.
Pump-out guide →
AWTS servicing
The routine service visits most treatment plants must have by law, plus alarms, pumps, blowers and chlorinators.
AWTS servicing guide →
Problems and new systems
Smells, gurgling drains, wet trenches, overflowing tanks, or replacing an old system. Tell us what's happening and we'll find someone.
Septic problems guide →How it works
- Call or send the form. Tell us your suburb or town, your system type if you know it, and what's going on.
- We pass it on. We send your enquiry to an independent provider who works in your area and holds the relevant licence for the job.
- They contact you directly. The provider quotes, books and completes the work with you. You choose whether to go ahead.
We don't charge you for this, and we don't do the work ourselves. Before any job starts, ask the provider for their licence details and a written quote.
Areas we cover
Enquiries are welcome from across the Toowoomba Regional Council area, especially the unsewered acreage and rural-residential areas surrounding the city, including:
- Highfields
- Crows Nest
- Pittsworth
- Oakey
- Cambooya
- Gowrie Junction
- Westbrook
- Hodgson Vale
- Meringandan
- Kingsthorpe
- Cabarlah
- Goombungee
- Millmerran
- Clifton
Whether a provider is available can depend on distance and access, so tell us where you are and we'll let you know.
Which system do you have?
Toowoomba Regional Council lists several types of on-site sewerage facility that may be installed in the region. Knowing yours helps a provider quote accurately:
- Septic tank: separates waste into scum, liquid and sludge layers, with the liquid going to buried drainage trenches or beds. No power, no regular service visits, but it does need pumping out.
- Aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS): council notes these are the most common type. Several chambers with an air blower treat the wastewater, which is then disinfected and pumped to sprinklers or drip lines in an approved area. Needs regular servicing.
- Sand filter: a primary tank followed by a layered bed of sand and/or gravel. Commonly serviced every 12 months.
- Advanced Enviro-Septic (AES): a passive, non-mechanical system that follows a septic tank.
- Holding tank: stores untreated effluent that has to be pumped out by a licensed liquid waste contractor.
- Composting dry vault toilet.
Not sure? An AWTS usually has a humming air blower, an alarm panel and sprinklers or drip irrigation. A plain septic tank usually has one or two concrete lids and no power connection.
Your responsibilities as an owner
Toowoomba Regional Council's guidance says owners should schedule regular maintenance with an approved service agent (required by law), keep records of their system, use septic-safe products, keep vehicles off the land application area, keep stormwater out of the system, and never switch a treatment system off to save power. Council also says it monitors maintenance of on-site systems across the region. Effluent must always stay within your property boundary.
See the AWTS servicing guide and the septic pump-out guide for the details, or read council's own on-site sewerage facilities page.
Common questions
Do you do the septic work yourselves?
No. We are a referral and enquiry service. We pass your enquiry to an independent licensed provider who services your part of the Toowoomba region, and they quote and do the work directly with you.
How often does an aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS) need servicing?
Toowoomba Regional Council says aerated wastewater treatment plants commonly need servicing every three months by a licensed service agent, and sand filter systems every 12 months. Always check the conditions of your own system's approval.
How often should a septic tank be pumped out?
Toowoomba Regional Council's guidance is to have a septic tank desludged every three to five years by a licensed liquid waste contractor, and to clean the outlet filter every three months. Bigger households or smaller tanks may need it sooner.
Is there a charge to use this service?
No. Sending an enquiry or calling is free and there is no obligation to go ahead with any quote.
General information only, based on Toowoomba Regional Council and Queensland Government guidance current at the time of writing. Always follow the conditions on your own system's approval.