Related Links
I want to install a Septic Tank
Installing a Septic Tank is considered Drainage.
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All drainage work needs a Building Consent.
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There are design considerations for areas less than 3000m2
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There are design considerations in areas of known failures due to soil condition.
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Site Evaluations need to be provided with the building consent (these are to be done by the designer of your proposed Waste Water management System)
The brochure, Guidelines – Septic Tank Waste Management Systems, in related links at top, provides many ideas for use and maintenance of Septic Tanks.
How often do I need to clean my Septic Tank?
Recommended: Every THREE years.
This is the time frame recommended in the publications by both the Australian and NZ Standards, and which research has shown should be a ‘minimum’ standard
(ie – at least every three years)
What if only ONE person is using the Waste System?
All technical publications agree that – irrespective of the occupancy of a dwelling, no two types of occupancy will result in similar maintenance needs.
The way the systems are used will differ from property to property, but the Council needs to adopt a standard, which will cover most households.
Recommended: Every THREE years.
Who is Responsible for Cleaning my Septic Tank?
The customers are responsible for maintaining their own Waste Water management Systems.
What other maintenance is required?
For more information “Guidelines – Septic Tank Waste Management Systems” in related links at top
My Septic Tank Smells?
Are you using Cold Water Detergent or a bleach product?
Using either of these is likely to kill the necessary bacteria in the tank. This stops the breakdown of waste in the tank, causing it to smell.
Note: Half a cup of bleach is capable of killing all bacteria in a tank
Solution:
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Have the tank cleaned.
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Stop using the detergent or bleach and the tank will slowly (month +) repair itself
Who Cleans Septic Tanks?
Contact your local plumber
Where can I get the WDC “Technical Guidelines for Waste Management” information?
The Plumbing inspector at the Council has the info pack.
The Council sends out the pack to all plumbers.
If you require a pack, contact the Customer Services Unit.
Can I install a Composting Toilet on my property?
Council can consider and approve the instalment of a composting toilet on a property.
Consent is required for this and before people apply they need to be aware of the following:
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The instalment of a composting toilet may make a property harder to sell, as future buyers can be put off by the work required to maintain these toilets.
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Before Council will consider consent for a composting toilet we require detailed information as to how any grey water will be treated and disposed of – ie: via the use of a septic tank
Depending on where in the Waitaki district the property is located, the grey water disposal system may require the approval of the Regional Council before the Waitaki District Council can consider the consent application. This is because in some areas (eg. near a river), there may be water quality issues to consider.
If the customer wants to proceed with an application, they will need to make an appointment with the Plumbing/Drainage Officer to ascertain if Regional Council approval is needed first and what plans will be required for consent.