10 March 2006 Chapter 14 - Discharges of Waste to Land 14.5.2 Methods of Implementation Rules The subdivision of land is regulated through rules in Volume Two of this Plan. The rules establish minimum lot sizes that provide sufficient area to provide for effective land application areas. Applications for subdivision consent involving on-site management of domestic wastewater are to be supported by detailed assessments of the capacity of the land to provide land treatment areas and reserve areas within the proposed lot size, configuration and dimensions. This information shall be supported by confirmation that on-site management is the best practicable option, compared to the alternatives of on-site cluster, cluster and community sewerage schemes. Guidelines The Council has prepared guidelines to assist industry practitioners to assess the characteristics and constraints of sites subject to the proposed subdivision of land relevant to the on-site management of domestic wastewater. Other The Council is required to periodically assess wastewater legislation services, including risks to the community where there is an absence of a community sewerage system, under the Local Government Act 2002. Investigations Monitoring already undertaken has identified areas in the Marlborough Sounds where on-site domestic wastewater discharges are potentially degrading coastal water quality. These areas include: • Okiwi Bay • Ngakuta Bay • Double Cove • Anakiwa/ Tirimoana • Moenui The Council will undertake investigations to identify and establish the scale and severity of these adverse effects. These investigations will include sanitary surveys. Expansion of investigations may occur where monitoring indicates the need. Monitoring The Council will continue to monitor water and shellfish quality in the Marlborough Sounds, but will expand its programme to include areas adjacent to established residential (including bach) activity that have not been monitored previously. A ll su b d iv isio n o f la n d zo n e d S o u n d s R e sid e n tia l, R u r a l O n e o r R u r a l T w o fo r r e sid e n tia l p u r p o se s r e q u ir e s r e so u r ce co n se n t. T h e r u le s in V o lu m e T w o o f th e P la n se t m in im u m a llo tm e n t size s th a t, in m o st ca se s, w ill p r o v id e su fficie n t la n d a r e a fo r th e o n-site m a n a g e m e n t o f d o m e stic w a ste w a te r. 14 - 21