Maintaining systems
Regular maintenance of your on-site sewerage facility will help ensure that it is working effectively.
Regular maintenance can save expensive repairs in the future. It is important to ensure:
- faulty mechanical and electrical components are repaired or replaced as soon as an issue is identified
- any anti-bacterial cleaning products do not find their way into the system. They can harm the biological processes used by your facility.
Maintaining trenches systems
- check the septic tank or primary chamber sludge and scum levels every year. This ensures solids are not being carried over to the trenches
- clean the primary chamber outlet filter every year
- have the septic tank or primary chamber pumped out on a regular basis by a licensed contractor. Depending on the system load, every 3-5 years
- ensure the LAA is maintained in good condition and not overgrown
- plant thoughtfully. Keep shade plants and plants with large root systems well away from the LAA
- top dress trenches with a good quality soil (not clay) to ensure they are level. Be sure to fill any depressions and low points in the area.
Maintaining surface irrigation systems
- the treatment plant must be serviced on a regular basis. This ensures the water provided to the sprinklers is of a quality suitable for irrigation
- move or rotate the sprinklers on a regular basis
- ensure sprinklers are operating within the designated LAA
- clean any filters on a regular basis
- improve the top layer of soil by digging in gypsum and organic mulch, if required.
Maintaining sub surface irrigation systems
- the treatment plant must be serviced on a regular basis. This ensures the water provided to the sprinklers is of a quality suitable for irrigation and is chlorinated. An effluent low in suspended solids is required to prevent the drippers from becoming blocked
- flush the small bore piping to remove any solids at least every 12 months
- clean any filters on a regular basis
- improve the top layer of soil by digging in gypsum and organic mulch, if required.
For a comprehensive guide to maintaining systems, refer to council's:
- the importance of maintenance video, view the transcript
- how to maintain an OSF fact sheet (DOC, 392KB).