Wastewater System Care

Whether you have a conventional septic system, a modern Aerated Wastewater Treatment System or a greywater system, it depends on natural bacterial digestive processes to convert waste into substances that can be released safely into the environment.

This natural biological process involves maintaining a healthy population of beneficial ‘good’ bacteria that can efficiently break down and consume waste so that the treated water can be safely returned to the environment.

With too few bacteria, or the wrong type, your systems efficiency drops dramatically. Bad smells develop, waste is left unconsumed, and blockages and expensive pump outs become more frequent. You might even have to renew your leach drain or absorption trench, and that can be very expensive.

Keeping a healthy population of beneficial bacteria in your system is the key to living a life that is free from nasty septic odours, unsightly blockages and costly system repairs.

Follow these tips to protect the structural integrity of your wastewater system and avoid unnecessary cracks and breakages:

• Ensure your septic system is being protected from damage above. Keep the area free from concrete, asphalt, building and don’t drive over or park on the septic tank or leach field.
• Make sure your septic tank cover is not loose or insecure. The cover should be fitted firmly as inefficient systems produce high volumes of methane and ammonium sulphide.
• Make sure no trees or plants are growing near the septic tank or leach field. For each meter tall a tree is, the roots are likely just as long.

• Don’t use bleach or other caustic chemical or high-phosphate cleaning products in your kitchen, laundry or toilets. These harsh cleaning products destroy the healthy bacteria necessary for your septic system to break down waste.
• If you need to use these products, then make sure you prevent them from entering your drains and dispose of them in another way.
• Swap out your conventional chemical based cleaners for 100% septic safe alternatives specifically designed to protect wastewater systems.

• Limit the amount of cooking grease, coffee grounds and fats that enter your kitchen sink.
• Use a sink strainer so that you reduce the amount of solid waste that enters your system. Food scraps can slow down the digestion process in your system and build solids up faster, meaning you need more frequent pump outs.
• Washing dishes with an automatic dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand. If you have a machine dishwasher, use a biologically-safe dishwasher liquid that nourishes your drains and will help keep your system in good condition.

• Fix any leaky faucets or showerheads, they can allow excessive water to flow into your system.
• Install a low-flow showerhead to conserve water and reduce the water flowing into your system.
• Replace your conventional chemical based cleaners with septic beneficial alternatives like EcoShield Toilet and EcoShield Bathroom.
• Don’t flush items such as plastic, tampons, condoms, paper towels or cat litter. These items can’t be digested by your system efficiently and can lead to more frequent pump outs.
• Don’t flush old prescription medicines or antibiotics down your toilet. They can kill off the bacteria that work to break down your waste.

• Wash your laundry in stages over a few days, this will avoid flooding the system with a large volume of water at once.
• Use low-phosphate laundry detergents as phosphorus is a major pollutant of waterways. Liquids, like EcoShield Laundry, usually contain less phosphorus than their powder counterparts.
• Install a lint filter on your washing machine.
• Repair any leaking taps.

No problem – our EcoShield range of cleaning products work with EcoCare Activator to provide you with a complete home cleaning solution that is 100% safe for your septic or AWTS system and will not harm the beneficial bacteria that are vital to the ongoing performance of your system.