How to Choose a Septic Additive

Almost all septic, AWTS or greywater systems experience odours or blockages at some point. The simplest, fastest and most affordable way to solve these issues is with a septic additive. In an ideal world they wouldn’t be necessary, but old and new wastewater systems often need some biological maintenance to keep them working properly.

Why use a septic additive?

Septic, AWTS and grey water systems break down and digest waste using the naturally occuring bacteria that are present in wastewater tanks. The way wastewater tanks and systems work hasn’t changed much since they were invented, but the way we live has. Conventional cleaning products, antibiotics and chemicals in food waste are just some of the things that kill off beneficial bacteria when they enter wastewater systems. 

Septic additives act as a counter to the negative impact modern lifestyles have on wastewater systems. Septic additives work by either introducing bacteria, enzymes or biological stimulants to replenish bacterial populations as they’re killed. 

Almost all septic, AWTS or grey water system issues are related to low populations of bacteria. When bacteria populations are low, waste isn’t digested efficiently, nasty smells develop and if left untreated, blockages will occur.

The types of septic additive

There are three types of septic, AWTS or grey water additive on the market. Inorganic compound additives, bacteria and enzyme additives or biological stimulant additives. Read on to find out how they work and which you should choose.

Inorganic compound additives

Inorganic compound based additives are strong acid or alkali chemicals that are usually used to open blocked drains. These inorganic compound additives will kill the bacteria within your system and create long-lasting problems that are expensive to fix. Once these harsh chemicals destroy the biological function of a wastewater system, nasty smells and blockages soon follow.  Even to clear a blocked drain on a septic system, these products are dangerous. There are septic safe drain unblocking products specifically designed for septic, AWTS or grey water systems that you should use instead.

Bacteria and enzyme additives

Bacteria and enzyme based additives add powder or liquid bacteria and enzymes into your wastewater system. While this seems like a logical solution to fix low bacteria populations, these types of additives have little impact on the biological conditions within a septic, AWTS or grey water system. 

The amount of bacteria or enzymes being added often pales in comparison to what already exists within a wastewater system, so adding them has little effect. In a system which has low bacteria populations, the bacteria being added will be killed by whatever caused the bacteria population to be low in the first place. 

Bacteria and enzyme based wastewater additives can be comforting to use, but they have little effect.

Biological stimulant additives

Biological stimulant based additives work by improving the biological conditions within wastewater systems which helps the beneficial bacteria maintain healthy populations. They keep wastewater systems running smoothly by improving the biological conditions within,  which allows the beneficial bacteria’s rate of growth to exceed the rate of decline caused by chemicals.

The healthy bacterial populations within your system then naturally create the enzymes needed to speed up the waste break down process.

Maintaining the optimal biological conditions within your wastewater system is the most effective way to ensure it performs without any issues.

Which septic additive should you choose?

Biological stimulant based additives have proven to be the most effective way to fix wastewater issues and to keep systems running at peak performance. By restoring and maintaining healthy populations of beneficial bacteria you will live odour and blockage free, lengthen the time between pump outs and save on costly callouts and expensive repairs. EcoCare Activator contains a blend of biological stimulants, natural ingredients and biodegradable surfactants that improve the biological conditions within wastewater systems, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, remove odours and prevent blockages. 

EcoCare Activator is used by thousands of homes and businesses across Australia to restore and maintain septic, AWTS and grey water systems. Containing a blend of micro and macro nutrients, readily biodegradable surfactants and biological stimulants, it’s highly effective, environmentally responsible and the most reliable way to keep your wastewater system healthy.