10 March 2006 Chapter 14 - Discharges of Waste to Land The methods also seek to improve the standard of design through the use of local guidelines. These guidelines will provide practitioners with greater certainty in terms of the procedures to be followed for site investigation and assessment. This, in turn, will assist to ensure that the subsequent design of any on-site system reflects the site characteristics prior to applying for a discharge permit. The use and continual improvement of the guidelines will be facilitated through liaison with practitioners and the provision of appropriate training. The installation and commissioning of on-site systems is to be monitored to ensure that each system is constructed according to the approved design. Enforcement action may be necessary to remedy any instances of non-compliance. The process of continuous improvement will also require the investigation of alternative technologies, as such technologies may allow for improved on-site management of domestic wastewater in the Marlborough Sounds. In the meantime, the Council will provide information on all available on-site wastewater management systems to homeowners to enable them to make informed choices. 14.4.3 Objective and Policies Objective 1 To ensure that all on-site wastewater management systems perform in an efficient operating condition on an ongoing basis, while avoiding adverse effects on the surrounding environment. Policy 1.1 Existing on-site domestic wastewater discharges, which were lawfully established without resource consent prior to 21 April 2005, will continue to be permitted activities providing: The on-site wastewater management system is maintained in an efficient operating condition at all times; and The discharge is contained on-site and is not adversely affecting surface water, coastal water or groundwater quality. Policy 1.2 To monitor the operational performance of all on-site wastewater management systems and to require poorly performing systems to be upgraded to, or be replaced with, systems that effectively treat and contain all domestic wastewater on-site. Policy 1.3 To require all on-site wastewater management systems to be maintained in an efficient operating condition at all times. Policy 1.4 To identify and define the impact of factors that influence the performance of on-site wastewater management systems. Policy 1.5 To promote good practice in the use of on-site wastewater management systems. 14 - 13