| Information & Regulations |
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New Zealand Pit Toilet Regulations |
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This information covers 'best practice' and local
government regulation relating to the use of pit toilets on farms,
orchards, rural and remote locations in New Zealand. Pit toilet
regulations apply to 'unlined pit' toilets, and do not
apply to toilets installed with waste tanks. |
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Pit toilets are generally a 'Permitted Activity'
under NZ Regional Council regulations, but some different
requirements apply in different regions. It is the responsibility
of the property owner to determine what regulations apply in their
area. |
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SOLPONT Recommendations |
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SOLPONT recommends the following best practice for
pit toilet installation. These recommendations have been
formulated from our experience and from international literature
and studies on public health aspects of pit toilets produced by
WHO (World Health Organisation), the UN, and other agencies
concerned with public health. While they are typical of some
Regional Council's regulations, they are presented solely as
opinion, and it is the responsibility of the property owner to
ensure that any pit toilet installation complies with the local
regulations in force in their location. |
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1) |
Pits or waste tanks shall not in any
circumstances be installed on low ground or other location
where storm water run-off occurs, flows or pools, or may
otherwise enter the pit or waste tank general area. |
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2) |
Pits or waste tanks shall be constructed or
installed so that there is a raised earth foundation at least
225mm (one step height) above the surrounding ground for the
purpose of excluding any possible storm water run-off from
entering the pit or waste tank. |
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3) |
Pit toilets shall not be located
at a site where the soil type comprises gravels, coarse sands,
scoria, fissured rock or other materials that allow the free
migration of liquid waste matter away from the pit. |
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4) |
Pit toilets shall be located at least 20 meters
away from any water bore-hole or free body of water. |
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5) |
Pit toilets shall be located at
least 1000 mm above the water table. |
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6) |
Pit toilets shall be located at least 10 meters
away from any property boundary. |
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7) |
Pits shall be filled in and covered with a
depth of at least 500 mm of soil when the pit becomes full. |
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In the case that these conditions can not be
met, then a waste tank can be used. |
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Your Regional Council |
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SOLPONT strongly advises to determine the
regulations that apply in your area. This information can normally
be found on your Regional Council website, although all councils
are different and information may be presented differently by
different Regional Councils. Information may also be provided in
District Council plans, but we recommend starting with the
Regional Council. |
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The information will be searchable under terms such
as 'On Site Effluent Treatment - Pit Toilets', 'On Site Waste
Water - Pit Toilets', 'Pit Toilets', 'Pit Latrines' or similar. |
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The below links will assist in finding the
website and regulations for your local Regional Council: |
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Government; Regional Councils - map & links to all Regional
Councils |
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Local Councils NZ - List/links to all Councils |
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Local Government NZ - List/links to all Councils |
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Examples: |
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Greater Wellington Regional Council - Rule 5 : Pit Latrines |
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BOP Regional Council - BOP On Site Effluent Treatment Regional
Plan |
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Please inform us if our links are
out of date. |
| Other
Resource Information |
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