Getting the best from your system - things you can do.
I provide all the maintenance and consultancy work for your wastewater treatment system.
This starts with having a conversation about household products used, the average number of people in your dwelling and any other possible impact like medications etc.
I'll give you a heads-up about what to look out for in regards to your system.
Uncertain about your wastewater system's performance?
Don't wait for significant issues to arise. An inefficient system could indicate underlying problems. It's best to have it inspected, serviced and diagnosed promptly. I'm here to provide recommendations to enhance your wastewater system's performance and inform you about any necessary repairs or experienced-based changes.
Regular Servicing:
Just like your car, your wastewater treatment system needs regular care to ensure it runs optimally and efficiently. Regular maintenance not only ensures your system functions as designed, extending the life of your system it also plays a significant role in preserving the environment.
It's less expensive to maintain your wastewater system with routine services, than it is to replace it!
Most local councils require 6-monthly servicing as part of your resource consent. I will provide service reports for councils where required, With my flexible scheduling system, you can sit back and relax, knowing that your system is in good hands, and I will message/call you when it's time for your next service.
Along with regular servicing, another critical aspect of my service is checking the flow rate via disposal fields or dripper lines. (just like tyre conditions and pressures).
Clean your outlet filter
Most, but not all systems have a disc filter that benefits from regular cleaning (this is done as part of your service).
Customers that are hands-on and wish to help keep their system in premium condition (like a car - checking tyre pressure between services) can clean the filter choice if you wish - ideally 3 to 4 monthly.
Start by turning off the power at the unit, you may want to wear gloves to remove the black/grey casing with a red disc filter inside. remove the disc body from the casing then clean. This can be done with a water blaster/hose/bucket, rinse scrub.
Clean the ‘O’ ring, reassemble the filter unit and “turn power back on”.
Doing this contributes to prolonging the life of your pumps and field.
Flush your irrigation:
Emitter/disposal - based fields (purple hose garden hose size) often have taps 1 - 5 depending on configurations. these can be opened at the same time as you cleaning the filter. Doing a load of washing will help ‘flush’ the open field, once your washing has finished, remember to close the taps.
*Note, if the high water level alarm goes off, open these taps, see if water flows out and call me. Most alarm response visits are same day or the following day, to minimise damage impact.
End of a long hot day, customer stopped for a chat.
Before cleaning this pump.
The same pump, now clean and ready to go.
Are you experiencing any of the following with your wastewater treatment system?
Audio or visual alarms?
Overflow, ponding?
Irrigation field damage such as heavy machinery or stock?
Blockages?
If you do have an issue, like those mentioned above, I recommend getting it sorted as soon as possible to minimise damage to your system and the environment.
Protect your system:
Overloaded disc filter & blockages in the irrigation system can lead to pump failure. (like driving car up hill in 5th gear).
To prevent this it is important your irrigation is protected; heavy stock such as cows can crush or puncture lines, and vehicle traffic on lawns and fields, is the quickest way to destroy pumps.
Be sure to keep the area fenced from stock and vehicle traffic, or block the access in some way.
Consider what you put down the drain:
Every wastewater system relies on a biological process to break down and treat your waste, whether it be worms in a vermiculture system or bacteria in an aerated system or septic tank.
What goes down the drain is going to affect the performance of the ecosystem within the tank, and therefore the purity of effluent that is discharged onto your property (just like fuel and oil quality in a car).
Please avoid:
Strong acids (citrus cleaners, or commercial cleaning products, vinegar, lemon & citrus juice, vitamin C, fizzy drinks, stomach acid, car battery acid.
Strong alkalis - (sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), soap (a mild base), oven cleaner, drain cleaner, toothpaste, bleach, ammonia (sometime found in hair products or cleaning products), washing powder)
Oil, paint and other toxic chemicals.
Excess milk (common when rearing calves or lambs).
Wipes, flushable wipes, ALL sanitary products.
Without being ridiculous, your treatment system prefers a fairly neutral pH.
Cleaners in moderation won’t kill everything, as they will be diluted by the volume of water going down the drain; but it is important to be mindful of your microscopic friends outside.
Best practice, is to keep portions of products/food going into the system to a minimum.
Considering purchasing a property with an existing wastewater system?
Here's a crucial pre-purchase step: Make sure to request a current service report inspection for the onsite wastewater system from the seller before finalising your purchase. This service report will give you valuable insights into the system's condition, identifying any potential maintenance, repairs, or servicing needs.
If you're planning to modify an existing dwelling or construct a new one, you might also need to upgrade the current wastewater system or install a new one. During this process, I can offer guidance to help you make informed decisions. Older septic-only systems often are kept in place and new modern systems piggyback on these to meet compliance requirements. Often a really great option.
I am happy to help you brainstorm options and ideas for your new adventure, I service all the top brands of modern systems. I personally don’t recommend Bio gas-type systems and non-compliant systems.