Onsite wastewater disposal (septic tanks)

Overview

Wastewater is another term for sewage and is the name for everything that gets flushed down the toilet, washed down your kitchen sink and laundry into the wastewater system. In the far north not all properties have direct access to the Council sewerage scheme. These properties will often have onsite wastewater systems to treat their wastewater.

We all have a part to play to prevent harm to the environment and protect public health by keeping onsite wastewater systems and disposal fields working well. Onsite Wastewater Disposal Bylaw

If you are building a new system or upgrading, check out the consent requirements.  These forms will help you navigate the installation process.  

Managing your system 

As a property owner, you are responsible for maintaining your onsite wastewater system and knowing how it works.

Council maintains a register of onsite wastewater disposal systems. Reminder letters are sent to property owners of systems that are due for servicing.

Failure to maintain your system may result in a fine or penalty.  

Maintenance Rules for onsite wastewater systems

Under the Council Bylaw wastewater systems require periodic assessments and maintenance.  This varies to the type of system, refer to the list below.  You will need to arrange, at your expense, an inspection, by a suitably qualified person to inspect and certify your system and if required complete maintenance such as cleaning or repairing any parts that might be blocked, damaged or worn.

The owner or occupier of the property must provide a copy of the assessment certification to the Council (your contractor may do this on your behalf) with 28 days.

If an assessment requires you to undertake physical work it must be completed within 28 days.

Households

At minimum:

• A primary system/septic tank needs to be inspected every five years
• A mechanical and alternative systems need to be inspected yearly or as per the manufacturer’s instructions

Council recommends installing a wastewater filter in the septic tank to prevent solids moving into the disposal field and causing blockages. Regular checks of the septic tank system should be undertaken to ensure the system is in good working order and to identify problems.

Commercial and industrial properties

At minimum:

• A primary system/septic tank needs to be inspected every three years or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
• A mechanical and alternative systems need to be inspected yearly or as per the manufacturer’s instructions

Types of systems

Primary system

A primary system has a septic tank and disposal field. These units tend to be older and use simple technology.

Mechanical/Aerated systems

Systems designed for the disposal of wastewater that operates in a mechanical way, and is driven by a power source, and is not a conventional septic tank, or similar type system

Alternative systems

An on-site wastewater disposal system that separates all, or some of, the grey water from toilet wastewater for treatment, including waterless toilet systems such as composting toilets, and vermiculture systems, peat bed treatment systems, and powerless systems 

When to upgrade your onsite wastewater system:

The design of your onsite wastewater system needs to suit the way it is used. Review your onsite wastewater system if:

• you are renovating your house
• more people will live on your property
• your summer holiday home becomes your permanent residence
• you start to host a lot of visitors.

The above changes mean more water will flow through your system, putting more strain on how well your tanks and disposal field can treat your sewage and wastewater.

If you upgrade your onsite wastewater system or build a new one, you will need to apply for a building consent and may need a resource consent.

Tips for your wastewater system

How do I know if something is wrong with my wastewater system?

Council facilities and approved contractors

The Council operates and maintains a number of wastewater treatment plants across the district. Commercial operators who empty septic tanks are certified to safely discharge septage (i.e. the contents of septic tanks) in our facilities so it is treated in a controlled environment. Council has implemented a scheme to control the points at which septage can be discharged into the Council’s treatment plants, together with a charging scheme to recover the costs of its treatment. Refer to our Fees and Charges for the cost to dispose of septage.

Only approved contractors are authorised to dispose of septage into Council reticulation and can carry maintenance or servicing of Septic Tanks and Mechanical/Aerated Systems in the Far North.

Council approved septic tank contractors

Council approved mechanical/aerated tank contractors