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Transcript of Getting your wastewater treatment and disposal system consented video

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Voice: If you're building a new home that needs an onsite wastewater treatment and disposal system or replacing an old system, you may need a resource consent to make sure your new system protects the environment and public health.

[Video: An animated scene of two men on a building site. One is in Hi-Vis clothing and a hard hat. The other is dressed in a suit.]

Voice: Please contact Auckland Council on 09 301 0101 and ask for the Planning Helpdesk to find out more.

Voice: Kia ora. My name's Jill.

[Video: Jill is seen on her property.]

Voice: I'm building a new home with an onsite wastewater treatment system and I've just been granted a regional wastewater consent for the new system.

[Video: The screen zooms in on Jill.]

Voice: What do I need to do now?

Voice: Kia ora, I'm Mark.

[Video: The name MARK appears on the screen. The camera zooms out to reveal an ID lanyard with the Auckland Council pohutukawa logo.]

Voice: I’m your assigned Monitoring Officer and I have received your notice of work starting form.

[Video: Mark is in an office talking on the phone to Jill.]

Voice: I'll be helping to monitor your wastewater discharge consent and checking you comply with the conditions.

Please read your resource consent carefully and follow all conditions highlighted in the consent.

Voice: Thanks, Mark.

[Video: Jill is in her garden talking on the phone to Mark.]

Voice: I see there are some conditions associated with the wastewater system. What do I do with these?

[Video: Mark is in his office talking to Jill on the phone.]

Voice: Yes. You'll need to make sure that your new wastewater system is installed as per your resource consent and signed off by a suitably qualified professional.

[Video: Two clipboards with checklists.]

Voice: There will be one-off conditions and ongoing conditions to comply with.

[Video: The first clipboard has a checklist with the title 'One-off conditions'. The checklist items are:

  • Prestart meeting
  • As-built certified plans
  • Service maintenance contract
  • Operation and maintenance plan
  • Post construction meeting.

These items are all marked with a green tick.]

Voice: Once everything has been installed and signed off, please let me know.

[Video: Items on the second checklist titled 'Ongoing conditions' are marked with a green tick. The checklist items are:

  • Flow meter readings
  • Testing of treated wastewater
  • Annual reports (i.e. service maintenance records)
  • Service maintenance contract.

The screen turns green. Text reads: Post construction meeting.]

Voice: Hi Mark. My system is installed now. So, how do I read and submit the flow meter information?

[Video: Jill is in her garden talking on the phone to Mark. The screen zooms in on the meter. ]

Voice: Good question. This is what your flow meter will look like.

[Video: The last three numbers on the meter are highlighted in red.]

Voice: You can ask your wastewater contractor to show you how to read the meter. Your consent will outline the frequency you need to read and record your meter readings.

[Video: A table titled 'Example of a simple flow record keeping system'. Table columns are:

  • Date
  • Meter reading (m 2/day).
  • Difference last and current reading
  • Days since last reading
  • Flow/day (m 2/day).]

Voice: You can note the flow meter readings and the dates on the record sheets supplied in your operations and maintenance plan.

Or you can contact your monitoring officer by emailing monitoring@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

[Video: An email addressed to monitoring@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. The email subject line is 'Wastewater consent'.]

Voice: Please note some old consents may have a different email address, but if you are in doubt, please contact us.

[Video: An arrow icon clicks attachments and adds a file called 'Wastewater flow meter readings'. The arrow then clicks send.]

Voice: Thanks, Mark.

[Video: Jill is in her garden on the phone with Mark.]

Voice: How long will I need to submit these readings to council?

[Video: Mark is in his office talking on the phone to Jill.]

Voice: That depends on the duration of your wastewater consent. In most cases, that's for 10-15 years. However, there are some exceptions.

If you are unsure, please check your consent conditions or contact us.

[Video: Jill is in her garden talking on the phone to Mark.]

Voice: What maintenance do I need to do in the system to ensure it complies with the resource consent?

[Video: Jill starts removing vegetation close to her wastewater disposal system.]

Voice: Please look after your system as per the resource consent and follow the approved operation and maintenance plan. If you change maintenance providers, please let us know and give us a copy of your new maintenance agreement.

[Video: A truck with the business name 'Sludge removal' pulls up to Jill's wastewater disposal system. The truck pumps the wastewater.]

Voice: You'll also need to review your operations and maintenance plan and provide an updated version to us.

[Video: Mark in his office talking on the phone. ]

Voice: Thanks, Mark. This information has been really helpful.

Voice: You're welcome. And remember, if you ever sell your property, you will need to transfer your consent to the new owner.

[Video: Auckland Council pohutukawa logo. The website address: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz]

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