Integrated risk framework for onsite wastewater treatment systems
(2006) Integrated risk framework for onsite wastewater treatment systems. Environmental Management 38(2):pp. 286-303.
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Abstract
Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) are becoming increasingly important for the treatment and dispersal of effluent in new urbanised developments that are not serviced by centralised wastewater collection and treatment systems. However, the current standards and guidelines adopted by many local authorities for assessing suitable site and soil conditions for OWTS are increasingly coming under scrutiny due to the public health and environmental impacts caused by poorly performing systems, in particular septic tank-soil adsorption systems. In order to achieve sustainable onsite wastewater treatment with minimal impacts on the environment and public health, more appropriate means of assessment are required. This paper highlights an integrated risk based approach for assessing the inherent hazards associated with OWTS in order to manage and mitigate the environmental and public health risks inherent with onsite wastewater treatment. In developing a sound and cohesive integrated risk framework for OWTS, several key issues must be recognised. These include the inclusion of relevant stakeholders throughout framework development, the integration of scientific knowledge, data and analysis with risk assessment and management ideals, and identification of the appropriate performance goals for successful management and mitigation of associated risks. These issues were addressed in the development of the risk framework to provide a generic approach to assessing risk from OWTS. The utilisation of the developed risk framework for achieving more appropriate assessment and management techniques for OWTS is presented in a case study for the Gold Coast region, Queensland State, Australia.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Keywords: | On-site wastewater treatment, Integrated risk assessment, Onsite wastewater treatment, Water pollution, Effluent irrigation, Septic tanks |
| Subjects: | 290000 Engineering and Technology > 290800 Civil Engineering > 290802 Water and Sanitary Engineering 290000 Engineering and Technology > 291100 Environmental Engineering > 291101 Environmental Engineering Modelling 290000 Engineering and Technology > 291100 Environmental Engineering > 291103 Environmental Engineering Design |
| ID Code: | 4695 |
| Deposited By: | Goonetilleke, Ashantha |
| Deposited On: | 17 July 2006 |
| Alternative Locations: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-005-0280-5 |
| Copyright Owner: | Copyright 2006 Springer |
| Copyright Statement: | The original publication is available at SpringerLink http://www.springerlink.com |