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Maintain Your Septic System

Servicing of Your System

When Council authorizes installation of a septic system, ongoing servicing requirements are attached to that system. Servicing can only be done by a qualified person – usually a licensed plumber unless otherwise advised by the installer.

A service assesses:

  • The functioning of your system
  • The integrity of the infrastructure.

A pump out is not a service and generally costs three or four times more, so should not be your first response to signs of poor performance.

The below table outlines the usual inspection requirements associated with most systems (Please note: some systems are made up of multiple components):

Treatment System Type/Component Maintenance Requirements
Septic Tank Servicing at three year intervals
Pump out at three year intervals unless otherwise advised by the licensed plumber
Worm Farm (no sand filter)

Servicing within six months and 18 months of installation then at two year intervals
Pump out at three year intervals unless otherwise advised by the licensed plumber

Sand FIlter (after Septic Tank or Worm Farm) Annual service check of sand filter
Pump out at three year intervals unless otherwise advised by the licensed plumber
Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS)

Annual contract for quarterly servicing
Pump out at three year intervals unless otherwise stated by the licensed plumber

Membrane Wastewater Treatment System
(Orenco AX20, Taylex MBS)
Annual contract for half year servicing
Greywater Treatment Systems Annual service contract with an accredited and trained service technician
Check and/or pump out tank at three year intervals
Eco-Max Cells

Annual check of system by experienced service agent
Check and or pump out tank at three year intervals
Replacement of amended soil every 15 years unless system performance demonstrated as satisfactory

Biolytix BF6 (vermiculture system) Check and/or pump out tank at three year intervals with two yearly servicing by an experienced service agent.
Reed Bed Check and/or replace dead reeds as needed, in addition to maintenance of other infrastructure
Dry or Wet Composting Units Remove broken down solids with safety equipment from the unit and dig into appropriate area, in addition to maintenance of other infrastructure