Hi,
We have to put in a wastewater system on an acreage block in Tassie. Any tips, experiences or thoughts on Taylex or Ozziekleen.
Am also concerned about the 'clean' water output. The water is chlorinated before pumping out onto an absorption garden bed area. We will have a large area of ornamental and native shrubs with a few gums. Our concern is about how much of the chlorine will make its way into our dam, which is 100m away and about 20 -30m lower than the output area. Am concerned that the levels of chlorine will build up in our dam. Thoughts?
Thanks
Mike
Wastewater Sytems
(8 posts) (5 voices)-
Posted Monday 12 Dec 2011 @ 5:18:09 am from IP #
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Chlorine is neutralised by sunlight.
I'd be more worried about phosphates and long term build-up of sodium.
Have you explored the other options such as membrane filtration (Novaclear) and worm farms? (not recommending these, just wondering about them)
Posted Monday 12 Dec 2011 @ 6:02:14 am from IP # -
I am a user of a waterless composting toilet and not happy with it . It is a 11 year old Dowmus they went broke. They then started Biolytic and then went broke again. Good ideas badly implemented. With waterless I believe Clivus Multrum are OK but need to mounted with above ground access (ie elevated floor)
The type of systems you are talking about are a real trap as you usually need an expensive contract to maintain them with several visits per year which of course cost serious dollars. Most councils will not approve them unless you have them maintained at considerable expense. You can do the course to maintain them at a cost of a couple thousand dollars (another rip off). THese type of systems also use a couple of pumps and a lot of electricity. One sales person told me they only use as much energy as a fridge.
I have been looking for a replacement for my Dowmus, but have yet to find anything worth doing. The old fashioned septic with a big absorption trench seems the least trouble once installed.
Note, my grey water system is separate from my black water and irrigates my garden with aerated waste water and is OK, but I had to replace sump pump once and repair it once. It was also installed by Dowmus, but is less trouble than my composting toilet.Posted Monday 12 Dec 2011 @ 7:33:43 am from IP # -
The contracts for maintenance of these 'things' are a requirement for installation.
This is not unreasonable. Last thing the community wants is an unmaintained waste water plant polluting the environment with all sorts of nasties. If I remember correctly, in Tasmania, some councils charge a fee equal to the sewer rates you might incur and then engage someone to maintain the systems.
I know about the Dowmus, and the Biolytic. Real pity that so many got left with partially working and potentially expensive to maintain systems.
Posted Monday 12 Dec 2011 @ 9:55:34 am from IP # -
Thanks Bushwalker and yabietol for your replies. Have settled on a wastewater treatment system over composting and have had a bit of a look at worm farms. Unfortunatly, busy lifestyle means I need a set and forget system, hence the all encompased systems. I agree bushwalker, maint costs are absolutley necessary as I dont want a system failure and dont have the time or inclination to mess around with it myself. Maint costs are a thing I had factored in but hopefully this will be offset in lower rates than a sewered block.
Will do a bit more research on phosphates and the novaclear system.
ThanksPosted Tuesday 13 Dec 2011 @ 12:33:23 am from IP # -
We too use a waterless WC (Rotaloo) and they're still in business, in WA anyway. It uses a 12V fan for the gases. We ran a 100mm pipe under the concrete slab to the north of the house to get a warmer air intake which evaporates most of the gases and fumes. I did have an issue where I had to replace the wheels but built it in a way I could remove the unit. It really is a basic and reliable unit.
http://www.rotaloo.com.au/09installations.html
As for the greywater, it runs into a settled tank, then the excess runs to some trees via 100 mm underground pipes with drilled holes and crushed rock around it. There are about 6 trees and have had no issues for over 10 years. Plenty of Oranges and Pomegranites
If it ever does get too much water the excess goes to a small read garden. Frogs live there so must be OK. We use a phosphate free detergent in a liquid form. The brand is Earth choice
Posted Saturday 17 Dec 2011 @ 11:09:45 pm from IP # -
"The type of systems you are talking about are a real trap as you usually need an expensive contract to maintain them with several visits per year which of course cost serious dollars. Most councils will not approve them unless you have them maintained at considerable expense."
This is what I am finding is possibly going preclude us from buying a block and building a small residence. Can find land affordable to us, but the issue is the cost and ongoing cost of a packaged treatment plant required by councils. Will not be on grid to power packaged treatment plant. Cannot afford to build a debt free residence in a sewered town, but fast been precluded from building out of town. Finding councils extremely difficult to get a straight answer. Find a block and then go and see the council and they say well put in an application and we will consider it. I cannot buy the block unless I get the facts and costs prior to purchase. Council wants to have a minimum 2,000m2 to build and for evaporation for 2 people.Posted Wednesday 21 Dec 2011 @ 10:32:06 am from IP # -
David_Vic.
Sewage treatment is a public health issue, and councils are now required to ensure that standards are maintained. The only way they can do this is to require regular servicing and reports on the plant. I don't think you will be able to get away from that requirement.
What area are you in? 2000m2 for 2 people sounds huge! Usually, irrigation area is arrived at by knowledge or testing of the soil etc and the capacity of the plant.
I've only got an older SA Standard here, not sure if there is a revision, this one was current in 2007.
"STANDARD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SUPPLEMENT B
Aerobic Wastewater Treatment Systems"(you should be able to find the Vic standard online), but here is what this SA Standard says about disposal area:
SURFACE IRRIGATION DISPOSAL AREA
The surface irrigation disposal area must be dedicated to the sole use of receiving reclaimed effluent. The area must be landscaped, preferably with shrubs and trees and should be designed to discourage pedestrian and vehicle access.
Sizing of the disposal area
The disposal area for a residential dwelling for up to 6 persons is calculated using a maximum hydraulic loading of 4.5 litres per square metre over a 24 hour period. For a daily flow of 150 litres per person, and a minimum of 6 persons, the area of the surface irrigation disposal system is:
(6 x 150) / 4.5 = 200 m2As far as the catch 22 with getting an application in to council, have you thought about buying the block subject to WWTP approval from council? That way you could sign up for the land, put in your application, and get your deposit back if the wheels fall off.
Lastly. Do look carefully at your budget. The costs of installing and operating a fully serviced WWTP are a fraction of the costs of building and maintaining even a small home.
Posted Thursday 22 Dec 2011 @ 10:11:07 pm from IP #