AS 1547 · effluent disposal assessment

Land Capability Assessment

Aitken Rowe prepares land capability assessments from its NATA-accredited laboratories at Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Albury/Wodonga. No sewer, no problem: the report your council needs before a septic system is installed, sized to your soil profile, your rainfall and your block.

Request a quote Call (02) 6939 5555

Constant head permeability testing for a land capability assessment

$1,100 +GSTLocal price at all three laboratories

25 yearsOf interpolated weather data in our modelling

7 system typesDesigned across all approved Australian systems

One visitCombined with your soil test to save mobilisation

When the block is not on sewer

If your building site is not connected to council sewer mains, you need a Land Capability Assessment — also called an Effluent Disposal Assessment — so the septic system is designed for the soil profile underneath it. Applying effluent to land takes care and expertise, and new builds are under closer scrutiny than they used to be. We consult with every local council to keep the design compliant.

We also assess existing systems regularly. If you suspect yours is failing, or you simply have questions about it, call us.

Modelled on 25 years of local weather

We use proprietary nutrient and water balance modelling built on interpolated weather data covering the past 25 years. That lets our geotechnical engineers write a site-specific report with recommendations that produce a cost-efficient, long-lasting system — without putting the environment at risk.

Systems we design for

Every approved Australian system, matched to the soil and the site

Absorption trenches
Subsurface and surface irrigation
Composting toilets
Wetlands

Evapotranspiration absorption (ETA) beds
Low pressure effluent distribution (LPED)
Mound systems

How it works

01Book the testSend us the site address, we quote the same day.
02Sample and testSamples obtained from 0-1.5m with constant head permeability testing on site.
03Laboratory testingSamples tested in our NATA-accredited laboratory.
04Engineer's reportSigned AS 1547 LCA report, ready for council.

Common questions

How much does a Land Capability Assessment cost?

$1,100 +GST as a local job from any of our three laboratories. Booked at the same time as your site classification it saves a second mobilisation, so the pair is cheaper than ordering them separately.

Do I actually need one?

If the block has no connection to council sewer, yes — councils require it before approving an on-site wastewater system. Existing systems will require assessment if your system is failing, if you are adding another source or extending the number of bedrooms.

My existing septic system seems to be failing — can you help?

Yes. We regularly assess existing systems, identify why it is underperforming and design a fix. Call us and describe what you are seeing.

Which type of system will I end up with?

That is what the assessment determines. Soil permeability, block size, slope, setbacks and rainfall all narrow the options — the report recommends the systems that suits your site and will keep working long-term. It is rarely the case that only 1 system will suit, therefore we will provide multiple options to guide your decision.