HSE
HSEP0919 - Stormwater and Sewerage
Management
Table of Content
1
2
3
4
5
6
OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................ 2
PROCESS DETAIL................................................................................................................. 2
2.1 New Systems
2
2.2 Existing Systems
2
2.3 Planning for Management of Stormwater Systems
2
2.4 Carrying Out Management
3
2.5 Permits Requirements
4
2.6 Statutory Requirement
4
2.7 Evaluate Present Situation
4
2.8 Planning for Management of Sewage Treatment Plants and Septic Systems
5
2.9 Carrying Out Management
6
2.10
Maintenance
6
2.11
Decommissioning
6
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................ 6
DEFINITIONS....................................................................................................................... 7
RELATED DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES ............................................................................... 7
REVISION HISTORY ............................................................................................................. 7
Hydro Tasmania Document
Owner(s): OH&S Manager;
Environment Manager
Approver: Manager – Sustainability and Safety
Revision 4
Revision Date:
9th May 2012
HSEP0919 – Stormwater and Sewerage Management
HSE
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1
Revision: 4
Print Date: 06/02/2016
OBJECTIVES
This procedure describe the management of Hydro Tasmania’s stormwater systems, sewage
treatment plants and septic tanks.
Many of Hydro Tasmania’s sites are remote from council reticulated sewage and stormwater
services. This means that the organisation must take responsibility for management of its own
sewage and stormwater. This procedure aims to guide and assist with that management. The
procedure covers all management of stormwater for which Hydro Tasmania is responsible. This
includes sewage treatment plants, septic tanks and aerated waste water treatment systems
(AWTS).
2
PROCESS DETAIL
Description
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
2.1
New
The need or otherwise for a stormwater system is assessed
Systems
as part of the environmental impact assessment as
described in HSEP0301 - Hazard Identification and Risk Management .
The assessment must include consideration of the following:
(a)
council requirements,
(b)
potential contaminants (e.g. oil, fuel, chemicals
or silt), and
(c)
adverse effects of erosion, flooding or physical
damage to structures.
2.2
Existing
If a stormwater system exists, the relevant manager must
Systems
assess any planned changes to the site to ensure that any
impact on the stormwater system is taken into account. If
system changes are needed, they are designed in
accordance with findings (e.g., council sewer, stormwater)
per council and operational requirements.
2.3
Planning A standard process must be in place for maintenance,
for Management monitoring, inspection and verification of stormwater
of Stormwater
systems.
Systems
2.3.1 Triggers
A site specific management plan for a stormwater system
for a Specific
must be developed within six months of either of the
Management Plan following events in relation to that system, where such a
management plan will assist in preventing or correcting the
event:
Procedure
Responsibility
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
1. Occurrence of an environmental incident with a
severity rating of minor or higher; or
2. Noting of a major non-conformance.
A site specific management plan must also be developed if,
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Procedure
2.3.2 Planning
Considerations
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Description
in the opinion of the Environmental Operations Manager,
the system poses a risk of moderate or higher (HSEP0301 Hazard Identification and Risk Management) and a management
plan would assist in ameliorating that risk.
Any management plan that is developed must follow the
process set out in HSEP0301 - Hazard Identification and Risk
Management , where appropriate, and should also consider
the following:
a) Ensure that the person/s performing work on the
system have appropriate levels of training and
competency.
b) Ensure necessary internal and external authorisations
are obtained (e.g Permit or Authority to Work, Council
Planning or Building permits, and Specialised Work
Control Systems such as Confined Space permits. For
external permits, refer HSEP0201 - Legal and Other
Requirements).
c) Include planning considerations "checklists" as
necessary for the operation of the system (e.g.
maintenance, monitoring, inspections).
d) Detail nature of materials or substances likely to be
encountered at the site (e.g. oils, sediment, sewage),
to allow for proper consideration of handling, and
emergency preparedness.
e) Include a safety plan as necessary.
f) Ensure clean-up provision in place.
g) Plan for maintenance, monitoring, inspection and
verification requirements.
h) Waste management.
i) Validation.
j) Requirements for records as evidence.
k) Any other items considered relevant.
Responsibility
Environmental
Operations
Manager
The layout and design of the system must be appropriately
recorded on site plans and associated documentation.
Any emergency plans for stormwater systems must be
prepared in accordance with HSEP1201 - Emergency
Management.
2.4 Carrying Out Management
2.4.1 General
The person responsible for managing the stormwater
Requirement
system must take such steps as are practicable or
reasonable to prevent or minimise environmental harm or
environmental nuisance caused, or likely to be caused, by
Environmental
Operations
Manager
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Procedure
2.4.2 Where a
Plan Exists
2.4.3 Where
There is no
Existing Plan
Revision: 4
Print Date: 06/02/2016
Description
that activity.
Any existing instruction or plan relating to a particular
system is to be complied with.
Where there is no existing management plan for the
stormwater system, the standard maintenance, monitoring,
inspection and verification processes are to be followed.
2.4.4 Waste
Waste management is to be carried out in accordance with
Management
Procedure HSEP0914 - Resource Use and Waste
Management.
2.4.5 Record
On the basis of the operation being performed, and any
Requirements
statutory or regulatory requirements, the type of records
necessary are defined, and who is responsible for initiating
and completing them. These instructions are included as
part of the standard maintenance, monitoring, inspection
and verification processes. Records required may include:
a) The amount of contaminants removed.
b) The type of contaminants removed.
c) When inspections have been carried out.
d) When maintenance or a change to the system has
been made.
2.4.6 After The
The persons responsible for inspections, maintenance and
Work Is
monitoring will ensure verifications that have been specified
Completed
in Work Instructions, Procedures, or Plans have been
satisfactorily completed, and required records are filed in
the appropriate location.
SEWERAGE MANAGEMENT
2.5
Permits
External permit requirements for sewerage systems,
Requirements
including sewage treatment plants and septic tanks, must
be met, in accordance with Procedure HSEP0201- Legal and
Other Requirements.
2.6
Statutory All reasonable and practical measures must be used to
Requirement
reduce the incidence and effect of overflows from sewerage
systems.
2.7
Evaluate The acceptability or otherwise of present sewage treatment
Present
plants or septic systems is assessed as part of HSEF0301.1 Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Plan (EIA EMP)
Situation
form, with consideration of any relevant regulations,
standards, or codes, including AS/NZS 1547:2000 On-site
Domestic wastewater Management.
Responsibility
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
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Description
2.8 Planning for Management of Sewage Treatment Plants and Septic Systems
2.8.1 Generic
A standard process must be in place for maintenance,
Management
monitoring, inspection and verification of sewage treatment
plants and septic systems. Processes must be in accordance
with local government requirements and permit conditions
and should include, but are not limited to, the following
monitoring and response planning as relevant:
Procedure
2.8.2 Triggers
for a Specific
Management Plan
Responsibility
Environmental
Operations
Manager
1. outfall monitoring (for septic systems, this should
include inspection of the effluent soakage drain from
the tank to ensure that there is no liquid on the
surface)
2. annual inspections of septic systems
3. bacterial monitoring of adjacent stormwater systems
to check for leakage
4. monitoring of system inputs against legal
requirements
5. monitoring of odour, vegetation control, earthwork
stability, maintenance of access restrictions and
other as appropriate
6. (for septic systems) monitoring and maintenance of
any attached trickle filter feed systems or
disinfection systems.
7. plan for fast response to loss of flow
8. maintaining appropriate records of maintenance,
monitoring, inspection and verification, including
waste management activities such as pumping, in
accordance with Procedure HSEP0801- Document
and Records Management.
A site specific management plan for a sewage treatment
Environmental
plant or septic system must be developed within six months Operations
of either of the following events in relation to that system,
Manager
where such a management plan will assist in preventing or
correcting the event:
1. Occurrence of an environmental incident with a
severity rating of minor or higher; or
2. Noting of a major non-conformance.
A site specific management plan must also be developed if,
in the opinion of the Environmental Operations Manager,
the system poses a risk of moderate or higher (HSEP0301 –
Hazard Identification and Risk Management) and a
management plan would assist in ameliorating that risk.
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Description
2.9 Carrying Out Management
2.10 Maintena If the septic system becomes fully loaded and is not
nce
functioning properly, it is pumped out. Australian Standard
AS1547:2000 recommends pumping out at 3 – 5 year
intervals or when scum and sludge occupies 2/3 of the
volume of the tank. This is based on normal domestic usage
rates. Septic tanks attached to facilities such as power
stations may have very low usage rates and will require less
frequent pump outs. Otherwise, maintenance is performed
as situations that need such action occur.
Procedure
Aerated systems are maintained at regular intervals as
required.
2.11 Decommissioning
2.11.1 Sewage
Plans are formulated for decommissioning of sewage
Treatment Plants
treatment plants when the need arises.
2.11.2 Septic
Tanks
Options should conform to local council requirements.
These may be:
a) Pump out and remove tank entirely (preferred
option).
b) Pump out, remove lid and fill the tank with sand,
crushed rock, or soil.
c) Pump out and fill the tank with cement slurry (only
practical for small tanks).
Responsibility
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Environmental
Operations
Manager
Rehabilitate the area in conformance with the required land
use. Advise local Council of the change made to the
drainage system.
3
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Competency requirements
Persons involved in developing generic management processes
and specific management plans must have an understanding of
relevant Australian Standards and local government
requirements.
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DEFINITIONS
INSPECTION
Planned site observations of the physical components of the
system.
MAINTENANCE
Planned activities that ensure the ongoing performance of the
stormwater system.
MONITORING (in relation to
Stormwater)
Recording the amount of contaminants that are removed from
the physical system, e.g. vegetation, silt etc.
MONITORING (in relation to
Sewerage Systems)
The testing of the outfalls, etc
STORMWATER SYSTEM
The means of physically collecting, diverting and managing
stormwater.
Precipitation runoff from human-made buildings and structures,
particularly where there is a high risk of contamination of runoff.
A system of sewers. Sewage disposal whether by septic tank,
AWTS or sewer system
The exit point from the system.
STORMWATER
SEWERAGE SYSTEM
OUTFALL
5
RELATED DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES
HSEP0301 - Hazard Identification and Risk Management
HSEF0301.1 - Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Plan (EIA EMP) form



Procedure
Outputs:
6
Documented generic management processes
Maintenance records
Specific management plans as required
REVISION HISTORY
Revision
number
1
Revision date
Detailed revision description
Reviewed by
Approved by
12 Dec 2005
replaces procedures EM-M14 Sewerage
Management and EM-P09 Stormwater
Management
Environment
and
Sustainability
Manager
2
18 February
2008
Updated roles and responsibilities based on Hydro
Tasmania Environmental Plan June 2007- June
2010
Business
Sustainability
Manager
3
10 April 2011
Updated to reflect new organizational structure as
well as incorporating Momentum Energy into the
Scope of the ESMS
Sustainability
and Safety
Manager
4
9th May 2012
Converted to HSE system template
B. Lunstedt
Sustainability
and Safety
Manager
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