Wastewater: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a septic tank, an EnviroCycle (aerated) treatment system and an Envirotech ASF treatment system?

Septic tanks use old technology utilising underground trenches. They are heavily reliant on good quality topsoil to allow the wastewater to percolate through the soil. In Australia, the soils are mainly weathered over the last 360 million years, and it is difficult to find reasonable quality topsoil over the entire length of the required trenches. Septic tank trenches can pollute ground water supplies and can leak onto lawns with infectious, smelly discharge. This has the potential to cause serious illness, particularly in children and the elderly or infirm.

EnviroCycle uses a mechanical blower via diffusers (huge increase in surface area) to re-create the air spaces normally found in good quality topsoil. So efficient is the EnviroCycle purification technique that, under normal operating conditions, the results produce clean and clear odourless water that is ideal for re-use in irrigating the garden automatically.

Envirotech ASF systems are sized to accommodate the required amount of air supply in the voids between the gravels and sands (which are carefully graded and layered). This is replicated inside a dedicated liner, where the primary treated effluent is evenly distributed and then allowed to percolate, collecting valuable oxygen for the aerobic bacteria before returning back to the system for irrigation. (Note: the air supply is therefore maintained regardless of power failure.)

What is the average daily power usage?

Envirocycle  Electrical consultants advise that the annual usage of electricity for the total system is similar to an average household refrigerator. Some systems on the market turn the air blower off for part of the day, but because bacteria in all aerobic systems need oxygen to digest the waste, EnviroCycle systems operate with the blower functioning 24 hours a day (unless in de-nitrification mode), which means that the wastewater is being treated at all times.

Envirotech  The Envirotech ASF does not have a blower attached to the system, and the filter and effluent pumps run for ONLY 10 minutes per day (approximately), so power consumption is negligible.

What are the ongoing costs?

Envirocycle  The quarterly servicing is provided free of charge for the first year. After that, there are several servicing packages available ranging from approximately $260 to $340 per year (no GST is payable).

Envirotech  The only true install-and-forget system, it is approved for ONCE-A-YEAR inspection. This yearly service costs $130 (no GST is payable).

What warranty is offered on the treatment systems?

Envirocycle

There is a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty on the air and irrigation pumps, which is extended a further year if you renew your first year maintenance agreement.

The alarm panel and control box are both covered by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

All fittings, pipe work, fixings and filter media carry a 10-year warranty.

The vessel (the concrete tank) and concrete internal baffles carry a 10-year warranty.

Envirotech

There is a 1-year manufacturer's warranty on the filter and irrigation pumps, which is extended a further year if you renew your first year maintenance agreement.

The control unit and alarm are both covered by a 5-year manufacturer's warranty (excluding globe).

All fittings, pipe work and fixings carry a 15-year warranty.

The vessel (the concrete tank) and concrete internal baffles carry a 15-year warranty.

(Note: the life expectancy of the sand filter is well in excess of 15 years.)

How will the wastewater be disposed of?

The wastewater has been treated and disinfected and will be disposed of via your “land application area”. This area could be above-ground heavy droplet sprinklers, or subsurface irrigation, or various other methods, and will be decided between your local Council and (in most instances) a geotechnical engineer.

Smart Sewage Solutions and its subcontractors will construct the disposal area in accordance with the geotechnical report approved by your council.

Will the system smell?

No. Odours emanating from a treatment system are caused by bacteria that have died. Reasons for this range from lack of air (blower has been turned off for a number of hours) to chemical pollution. This being the case, under normal household operating conditions there is no smell from an EnviroCycle. And as the Envirotech does not use a blower to re-create air in the system, under normal household operating conditions there is no smell.

Will I receive information about the system once it is installed?

Most definitely. Exclusive to Smart Sewage Solutions is our “hand over”—we take the time to arrange to meet you at your new home, introduce you to your treatment system, explain its correct operation, provide you with our informative Owner’s Guide and answer any queries you might have.

What happens to the solids in the system?

Solids represent approximately 0.1% of household wastewater, which the systems continually reprocess until it forms a layer of residual (“sludge”). After a number of years the accumulated sludge will need to be removed from the system. Your service technician will advise you when de-sludging is required.

Do I have to do any maintenance to the system?

Your service provider will provide all the maintenance requirements for the system, leaving you free to enjoy your lifestyle. However, you are required to ensure the irrigation area is free of weeds and debris at all times. Full information on this is contained in our Owner’s Guide. Your service technician will also assist you as much as possible.

Are installations allowed in sewered areas?

No. Treatment systems can only be installed in areas where reticulated sewerage disposal is not provided.

Can I locate the tank away from my house?

Yes, provided the correct fall can be achieved (sometimes with the use of riser rings), generally speaking the tank can be located where you choose.

What happens in a power failure?

The treatment system will stop, along with all your electrical appliances. However, no harm will occur to either system. (In fact, in the case of the Envirotech, as it does not use a mechanical blower, the bacteria will continue to process the waste regardless of power failure.)

When power is reconnected, the alarm should clear itself within 12 hours. If not, simply reset the tripped circuit breaker.

How much noise comes from the system?

EnviroCycle  The EnviroCycle is designed to be quiet and unobtrusive. Standing next to it, you probably wouldn’t hear the air blower humming unless you bent down and put your ear to the coverbox. If the irrigation pump was running, standing half a metre away you would hardly hear it.

Envirotech

The Envirotech ASF is designed for silent running. There is no noise from the system.

What do I do with the system when I go on holiday?

Nothing, it will keep on quietly working while you’re away. But for security reasons we suggest you turn your alarm to “Mute”, and upon your return turn it back to the “On” position.

What shouldn’t I dispose of down the toilets or drains?

Solid objects travelling through the system can cause blockages, and generally they do just that. Also large quantities of strong disinfectants, anti-bacterial products, turps etc are detrimental to the health of the bacteria living within your system.