The Valley, at council level
Mostly houses
Across Yarra Ranges' council area at the 2021 Census, 93.7% of occupied homes were separate houses and 14.0% were rented. These are shire-wide figures, not the Valley alone.
Septic is common
Council's draft wastewater plan counts about 22,000 active onsite systems in the shire, more than one in three rateable properties.
High-risk spots
The draft plan rates the built up parts of Healesville, Healesville West, Warburton, East Warburton and Launching Place as high risk for onsite wastewater.
Very low hardness
Yarra Valley Water's 2025 to 2026 report gives mean hardness of 10 mg/L around Yarra Glen, 11 around Healesville and 13 around Warburton, Yarra Junction and Woori Yallock.
New sewer in the upper Yarra
Yarra Valley Water says properties in Launching Place, Don Valley, Yarra Junction and Wesburn can now connect to its new sewerage system, many through a pressure sewer. Owners are responsible for the plumbing on their side of the connection point, including connecting the property drain, so that part is a licensed plumber's job.
You don't have to connect while your onsite system works effectively and meets the EPA's code of practice and your council permit conditions. Once it stops meeting them, connecting is worth weighing up, and a plumber can explain what's involved at your property.
Yarra Ranges' septic duties
- Operate the system correctly and don't overload it.
- Make sure it doesn't overflow.
- Tell Council if there's a problem with it.
- Keep it in good working order (this doesn't apply to renters).
- Have the tank cleaned at least every three years.
- Get a permit before installing or altering a system.
Finding and fixing your system
Not sure where your tank is? Council offers a septic tank file search or a copy of plans. The draft plan also marks medium-risk land along the Upper Yarra River, the streams of the Woori Yallock catchment, and Steele's Creek and the escarpment west of Yarra Glen. A plumber who specialises in septic systems can inspect, pump out or upgrade.
Which water company?
Healesville, Yarra Glen, Warburton, Yarra Junction, Woori Yallock, Launching Place, Coldstream and Seville are all on Yarra Valley Water's supply list. But the Valley has no single boundary and Yarra Ranges also includes South East Water areas, so check your water bill.
Nearby pages: Healesville, Lilydale and rainwater tanks.
What we would do
If your Valley home is on septic, find the tank, check when it was last cleaned and book the next pump out before it's overdue. In Launching Place, Don Valley, Yarra Junction or Wesburn, if your system is struggling, ask a plumber about connecting to the new sewer before you pay to replace the tank.