Of course, this technology needs to pass some rigorous health and safety standards to gain approval and certification. One of these is appropriate access.

You can install your own septic tank, but it must be open for inspection as required. As experts in septic tanks Toowoomba home and business owners rely on, we help you maintain your tank correctly.

Working Parts

Septic tanks come in two designs, depending on how many people will use them. Although the word “tank” suggests something that just contains things, in fact septic tanks are working pieces of machinery. If installed incorrectly or poorly maintained, they won’t work properly. If this happens, there are some very serious health and safety issues to worry about.

For use by ten people or less, septic tanks come ready-made. They are two large diameter cylinders, connected by a pipe. For more than ten people, septic tanks are rectangular, and have to be made on site.

In both cases, the principles behind their work are the same. Rectangular tanks have a separating wall, or baffle, inside. In either case, the second chamber has to be twice the size of the first.

Maintenance Issues

Septic tanks work by breaking down waste matter using bacteria. This process forms a scum blanket on top, and sludge at the bottom. Effluent is pumped from the second chamber, to be collected in a drain, or lagoon. The sludge has to be removed periodically, as it builds up and affects the breakdown process.

To maintain the septic tanks Toowoomba people use, sump pumps sometimes need replacing. These are the final stage of the process, and are sometimes needed to pump out the effluent. Although gravity usually does this work, sometimes a pump will be needed. Changing conditions around the tank such as a raised soakaway can bring this about.

While septic tanks usually operate perfectly efficiently, you still have to be prepared for the worse. That is why maintenance and inspection are legal requirements. The local authority has to be sure that your system is working properly, to comply with its own standards. As it has the final responsibility of dealing with effluent and sludge, it can close down any system it sees as dangerous.

With sensible maintenance and the right access arrangements, septic tanks are sustainable, permanent waste solutions. Out of sight, out of mind, however, is not an option with these systems. Maintenance schedules must be adhered to.

Find Out More

To learn more about the septic tanks Toowoomba residents and businesses rely on, talk to us at Pike’s Waste Water.

Find out more about taking care of your septic tank system with this article:

Things You Should Never Put In Your Septic Tank

The post Maintenance Is A Legal Requirement for Septics appeared first on Pikes Waste Water Services.

In some states, they will even offer you a cash rebate to install a tank.

In a survey about why citizens haven’t opted for rainwater collection systems, the safety of the water quality only counted for one percent of those surveyed.

That being said, there are a few safety concerns you should be aware of.

Here are a few tips for keeping your rainwater tanks in tip top condition:

Water Safety

Rainwater is a free and sustainable way to meet your water needs and on average, it is safe to drink without treatment.

The cleanliness of your tank is the main concern when it comes to water purity so make sure you flush through on initial installation to remove any dirt or residue.

The inlet and overflow holes of your rainwater tanks should be the only openings exposed to the air but they both need a mesh covering to stop insects and debris from getting into the tank.

Harmless sludge will slowly build up at the bottom of your tank so this should be cleared every two to three years and this can be done by fixing an inverted funnel to a siphon hose and slowly moving it over the sludge to pull it up through the pipe.

Alternatively there are companies that can do it for you if you aren’t confident doing it yourself.

If you live in an area that has a lot of industrial activity such as factories, it is advisable to not use rainwater for drinking as there is a higher risk of airborne pollution that could harm the quality of your water.

You should boil your rainwater if people who have immunodeficiencies such as the very old, very young or cancer patients are going to be drinking it.

This is to remove the remote possibility of microbes or other contaminants that may have gotten into the tank.

The Catchment Area or the Roof

You should have a first-flush diverter installed with your rainwater tanks.

These are necessary to make sure dust and debris from the roof doesn’t clog the inlet with first rainfall after a dry period.

If you install new roof tiles after your rainwater tanks are already in place, make sure you divert the first rains away so any residue on the tiles is washed off.

If you don’t do this, the colour and taste of your water could be affected.

Make sure the roof stays free of leaves and twigs so any overhanging branches should be trimmed back and the guttering should be checked and cleaned regularly.

Mesh filters can be installed inside the gutter to further prevent blockage and these should be cleaned fairly frequently too.

If you are interested in rainwater tanks, give us a call on 0428 787 462.

The post Safety Tips For Rainwater Tanks appeared first on Pikes Waste Water Services.