System Care

All wastewater treatment systems regardless of brand or type require on-going maintenance by trained technicians.

When correctly used and well maintained your Ecocycle wastewater treatment system will give you years of trouble-free operation. Just like your car or ride-on mower routine maintenance is essential to optimise your system’s performance, increase the product’s lifespan and reduce environmental effects.

Servicing and maintenance are undertaken by an Ecocycle trained/appointed maintenance contractor visit www.wastewatermaintenance.co.nz for further information. De-sludging of the septic by vacuum tanker is recommended by councils at three – five yearly intervals depending on the number of dwelling occupants and care of the system.

A remote monitoring system is included with commercial or community systems which means, alongside ongoing maintenance, our dedicated team keeps a careful eye on flow rates, is alerted, and responds to any unexpected events, ensuring systems remain council compliant.

Looking after your wastewater treatment system

What goes down your drain will impact how much maintenance your system will need. Treatment of wastewater involves biological ‘living’ processes, whereby naturally occurring bacteria populate to assist in the breakdown of waste. Products containing anti-bacterial properties, disinfectants, chlorine, ammonia or an excessive influx of water are harmful to this process and will interfere with the biological process damaging your system. 

Alongside six-monthly servicing, it is important to follow some simple do’s and don’ts for the smooth operation of your wastewater treatment system.  This not only safeguards your system but helps protect the environment too.

The Good

  • Be water smart and conserve water. Excessive water use reduces the retention time in your wastewater treatment system and could overload the irrigation to land.
  • Use biodegradable soaps and cleaners and wherever possible use phosphate free or low phosphorus based laundry detergents (do not use products that contain antibacterials as these will disrupt the organisms required for wastewater treatment)
  • Check your cleaning products to see if they are suitable for your wastewater system
  • Scrape all plates and dishes to remove as much fat and grease as possible. A tip is to wipe them with paper towels and place paper towels in the rubbish bin.
  • Quickly fix any leaky taps as soon as possible.
  • Ensure a good vegetative cover is maintained in the area of your irrigation system. We can advise what plant and vegetation is best. Wherever possible we recommend native plants.
  • Direct all surface water and landscaping away from the tank and irrigation system, including roof drains and lawn sprinklers.

The Bad

  • Remember never pour toxic, strong chemicals or cleaners down any drains. This includes bleach, fuels, paints, thinners, grease, oil, chemical drain cleaning products, weed or insect killers, drugs, chlorine cleaners, antibacterials or disinfectant-based products.
  • Don’t use large amounts of cleaning products.
  • Don’t empty large quantities of water into the system such as from swimming and spa pools.
  • Don’t let rainwater/groundwater into the system.
  • Don’t flush solids down the toilet other than standard toilet paper. Onsite wastewater treatment systems are not designed to handle cigarette butts, wet wipes, paper towels, nappies, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, plasters, etc.
  • Don’t wash all your laundry in one day.
  • Don’t install in-sink garbage grinders
  • Don’t put coffee grinds or tea bags down the sink.
  • Keep vehicles or livestock away from the land irrigation system.

Choose system friendly cleaning products

Choose only eco/septic friendly, biodegradable and antibacterial-free products (check labels). The product example list below is not exhaustive nor is it intended to promote any particular brands:

Commercial Cleaner

www.jascodist.co.nz
Ecogreen.net
Bio-Zyme
Some Kemsol Green products
Some environmental tick products

Bathroom

Readily biodegradable and antibacterial free hand soaps, shampoos and conditioner

Kitchen

Palmolive
Sunlight
Earthwise
Natural Instinct

Dishwasher

Active
Ecostore
Ecowise

Laundry

Drive
Cold power liquid and concentrate
Earthwise
Natural Instinct

Surface Cleaners:

Earthwise
Natural Instinct
Jiff cream cleanser
Baking soda
Windex
Bio-Zyme
Ecowise

Alternatively, search online for natural homemade cleaning pastes/sprays. You will be amazed at how simple they are to make and how effective they are to use around the house.  Not only is it better for the environment and your treatment system, but you’ll also be surprised at how much money you will save.

Here are some simple ideas to get you started:

  • General Cleaning: Baking soda is a versatile, natural cleaning option. Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge or mix  4 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 litre of warm water in a spray bottle, add 10 drops of essential oil for scent, and 2 tablespoons of liquid soap – use as a multi-purpose spray. Baking soda is an effective toilet cleaner.  Sprinkle it around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush.
  • Shower Cleaner: Combine 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray then leave for up to 30mins, rub off with a microfibre cloth, and repeat as needed. 
  • Window Cleaner: Combine 2 cups of water, 1 cup of vinegar, and 2 drops of detergent in a spray bottle. Apply to windows and wipe off with an old towel or microfibre cloth.
  • Oven Cleaner: Clean the inside of an oven with baking soda combined with just enough water to form a paste. Rub it inside the oven, and leave for anywhere from 20 minutes to overnight, depending on how dirty the oven is. Spray with white vinegar and wipe clean
  • Toilet Bleach:  Lemon Juice (1 cup in half bucket of water overnight)
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