Backflow prevention and onsite sewage facilities

Find out about backflow prevention and onsite sewage facilities, including regulations and responsibilities.

Close up of a man's hand placing a grey sewer pipe in a trench.

What is a backflow prevention device?

A backflow prevention device prevents the reverse flow of water to a city’s drinking water supply. These devices help to keep Brisbane's drinking water clean and safe.

Backflow prevention devices are usually fitted in:

an irrigation system connected to mains water supply
fire hose reels or hydrants
a commercial or industrial activity or machinery connected to the mains
water outlets in proximity to pollutants, grease traps or chemicals
an underground rainwater tank that has mains water backup.

Some backflow prevention devices are testable. These must be tested by a licensed backflow tester.

Looking for something else

Plumbing and drainage

Plumbing fees charges

Plumbing permit applications

About the backflow prevention program

Council's backflow prevention program keeps track of all testable backflow prevention devices in Brisbane to keep our drinking water clean.

Backflow prevention device register

Under the Regulation, Council maintains a program for the registration, maintenance and testing of testable backflow prevention devices in Brisbane.

At the beginning of each year, Council issues the following notices to owners of testable backflow prevention devices:

Annual Registration Fee Notice
Testing Reminder Notice.

These reminders prompt owners to arrange testing by 31 December and pay the annual fee. Council will send reminder notices throughout the year until testing is complete and the relevant fees are paid. If the fees remain unpaid, Council will add them to the next year’s registration fee.

To register a new device, you must complete a Form 9 - Registration & report on inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices.

You can complete Council's online version of Form 9opens in a new tab or download a copy and submit it to Council via email. State in your email that you're submitting the form to register a new device.

Form 9 - Registration & report on inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices, registered air gaps and registered break tank

PDF • 224 KB • Last modified 1 July 2019

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For more information, download the backflow prevention program fact sheet.

Backflow prevention program

PDF • 578 KB • Last modified 18 December 2019

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Backflow device maintenance and responsibilities

Owners of installed testable backflow prevention devices must:

register each device with Council and pay the annual fee
make sure they’re inspected or tested each year by an endorsed backflow tester.

Owners may incur a fine of up to 20 penalty units for every device that hasn’t been tested or registered. Visit the Queensland Government website for more information about penalties for breaching plumbing lawsopens in a new tab.

For more information about your responsibilities, download our fact sheet.

Backflow prevention devices: What are your responsibilities?

PDF • 498 KB • Last modified 18 December 2019

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Under the Act, an endorsed backflow testeropens in a new tab must complete the annual test of each backflow prevention device and submit the results to Council.

To submit the results, you can complete Council's online version of Form 9opens in a new tab or download a copy and submit it within 10 business days to Council via email.

Form 9 - Registration & report on inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices, registered air gaps and registered break tank

PDF • 224 KB • Last modified 1st October 2019

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Penalties apply if the tester doesn’t submit the relevant forms to Council within the allotted timeframe.

For more information about your responsibilities, download Council’s fact sheet.

Backflow prevention devices: What are your responsibilities?

PDF • 498 KB • Last modified 2019

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Install, remove or replace a device

New backflow prevention devices must be installed by a licensed plumber. There’s a registration fee for all new devices.

In some circumstances, the plumber may need to lodge a plumbing permit application with Council.

When devices are shown on hydraulic drawings to be assessed by Council, the registration fee is charged at lodgement. The Form 9 test reports need to be submitted before the final inspection.

The licensed plumber who installs a new device under the notifiable work category must submit the following forms:

Form 4opens in a new tab to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
Form 9 (and registration fee for each device) to Council. You can complete Council's online version of Form 9 or download a copy and submit it via email.

Form 9 - Registration & report on inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices, registered air gaps and registered break tank

PDF • 224 KB • Last modified 1 July 2019

opens in a new tab

For more information:

find out about plumbing inspections
learn about plumbing permit applications.

A backflow prevention device should only be removed or replaced if the potential hazard no longer exists. To determine if the device can be removed or replaced with a different device, consult a licensed plumbing contractor.

The licensed plumber who removes or replaces a device must submit the following forms:

Form 4 to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
Form 9 (and registration fee for each device) to Council. You can complete Council's online version of Form 9 or download a copy and submit it via email.

Form 9 - Registration & report on inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices, registered air gaps and registered break tank

PDF • 224 KB • Last modified 1 July 2019

opens in a new tab

Council may audit device removals performed under a Form 4 to make sure the hazard is no longer present.

You can contact Council’s Plumbing Backflow Registration team via:

email
phone 07 3403 8888.

What is an onsite sewage facility?

An onsite sewage facility is a system that stores, treats and disposes of household wastewater and sewage. These are usually found on properties that are unable to access a central sewer system. Homes in rural areas sometimes rely on onsite sewage facilities.

Onsite facilities include a:

septic tank
secondary or higher treatment plant (aerobic wastewater treatment systems)
composting toilet.

Visit the Queensland Government website for a list of approved treatment systems.opens in a new tab

Note

You must get Council approval before installing an onsite sewage facility.
All onsite sewage treatment plants must have a current chief executive approval.opens in a new tab
Septic systems don’t need chief executive approval.

Regulations for managing an onsite facility

Queensland Government plumbing legislation sets out the requirements for managing an onsite sewage facility.

Property owners are responsible for making sure their onsite sewage facility:

is maintained
operates in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements and any conditions set by Council.

Council is responsible for maintaining a register of all the service reports received for onsite sewage facilities.

We contact property owners and service agents when we don’t receive a service report within the usual service intervals.

Maintenance responsibilities

The maintenance requirements of onsite sewage facilities depend on the treatment method.

Council recommends that septic tanks are pumped out every 3-5 years to ensure they continue to operate effectively.

To find a local contractor to pump out your tank, search “septic tank pump-out” on your internet browser.

To monitor waste matter build-up, have a plumber/drainer complete an annual inspection. You can also do this yourself by following the diagram on the Plumbing Services - Onsite sewage facilities fact sheet.

Plumbing Services Onsite Sewage Facilities

PDF • 459 KB • Last modified 1 January 2017

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Note

You can monitor your own septic tank waste (but not for a secondary or higher treatment plant). However, you can’t pump it out yourself or install your own system because certain septic tank installation requirements must be met.

Licensed service agents should be engaged to service and monitor the performance of the plant. To understand what’s involved in maintaining the plant, contact the manufacturer or a licensed service agent.

To find a local service agent, search “wastewater service agent” on your internet browser.

Download the Plumbing Services - Onsite sewage facilitie fact sheet for more information.

Plumbing Services Onsite Sewage Facilities

PDF • 459 KB • Last modified 1st October 2019

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Lodge a service report

You can lodge a service report by:

email
mail to:
Locked Bag 1
Fairfield Gardens
Fairfield Qld 4103

For information about plumbing and drainage, phone Council on:

07 3403 8888 for residential customers
133 BNE (133 263) for business customers.

Helpful links

Frequently asked questions

The different types of backflow prevention devices are testable and non-testable devices. The type of device installed is determined by the potential contamination hazard level (low, medium or high). A testable backflow prevention device is needed when the potential for contamination is medium or high.

You can locate a backflow prevention device on your property by looking at your Council reminder of annual registration and testing. Details of the valve location are included when the device is first registered and included in the reminder notices.

The annual fee for each device covers:

the administration of the testable backflow prevention program, including issuing the notices and testing reminders
recording and maintaining testing results and documentation for every device in the local government area and carrying out investigations and audits.

You need to have your testable backflow prevention devices tested at least once every calendar year. The testing date is up to you and your licensed contractor. In most cases, devices are tested around the same time each year, either as part of a maintenance schedule or an ongoing arrangement.

Failure to maintain your onsite sewage facility can cause harm to yourself, others and the environment. It can also lead to a fine. Visit the Queensland Government website for more information about penalties for breaching plumbing lawsopens in a new tab.

Backflow prevention and onsite sewage facilities

On this page

What is a backflow prevention device?

About the backflow prevention program

Backflow prevention device register

Backflow device maintenance and responsibilities

Install, remove or replace a device

What is an onsite sewage facility?

Regulations for managing an onsite facility

Maintenance responsibilities

Lodge a service report

Helpful links

Plumbing permit applications

Plumbing fees charges

Buying or researching a property

Frequently asked questions

Translate this website

Backflow prevention and onsite sewage facilities

On this page

What is a backflow prevention device?

About the backflow prevention program

Backflow prevention device register

Registration fees and testing notices

Register a backflow prevention device

Backflow device maintenance and responsibilities

Device owner

Backflow tester

Install, remove or replace a device

New devices

Removing or replacing a device

What is an onsite sewage facility?

Regulations for managing an onsite facility

For property owners

For treatment plant service agents

Role of Council

Maintenance responsibilities

Septic tanks

Secondary or higher treatment plants

Lodge a service report

Helpful links

Plumbing permit applications

Plumbing fees charges

Buying or researching a property

Frequently asked questions

Why do testable backflow prevention devices need to be tested?

Are there different types of backflow prevention devices?

How do I locate a backflow prevention device on my property?

What does the annual fee for each testable backflow device cover?

When do I need to have my testable backflow prevention devices tested?

What happens if I don’t maintain my onsite sewage facility?

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