Septic Tank Maintenance Guide for New Zealand Properties
Almost every expensive septic failure starts as an inexpensive maintenance task that was skipped.
Maintenance for an on-site wastewater system is not complicated, but it is cumulative. The habits are simple, the checks are periodic, and the payoff is a disposal field that lasts decades rather than years.
Keep records. A folder with pump-out dates, service reports and system plans is worth real money at sale time and saves guesswork every time a provider visits.
Ongoing habits
- Only human waste and toilet paper down the toilet
- Keep fats, oils and coffee grounds out of the sink
- Spread laundry across the week
- Fix leaking taps and running cisterns quickly
- Keep vehicles, stock and structures off the disposal field
- Divert roof and surface water away from the field
Annual checks
- Walk the disposal field looking for wet or lush patches
- Confirm the alarm is functioning if you have one
- Listen for the aerator or blower on treatment systems
- Clean or have the effluent filter cleaned
Every one to five years
- Professional service and sludge measurement
- Pump-out when measurements indicate it
- Pump, float and control inspection
- Scheduled servicing per consent conditions on treatment systems
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to add bacteria to the tank?
- Normal household wastewater supplies plenty. The money is better spent on emptying on schedule.
Ready to go
Request septic serviceSeptic Connect accepts septic and wastewater service requests and routes them according to participating provider coverage. Any inspection, pump-out, call-out, servicing, repair, parts or other charges are discussed and charged directly by the independent service provider.