You are the owner of a septic tank system worth several thousands of dollars. While it will look after itself to some extent, you will need to follow a few rules to protect your investment and your family's health.
Rules for care
Getting started
- Fill your tank with water immediately it is installed, otherwise if it rains the tank will float.
- Flush 1 or 2 cups of garden lime down the toilet once a week for two months.
- Work out how you can minimise your water usage. The less water you use the less you have to treat. You can use approved plumbing devices such as:
- low flow shower roses
- suds saver washing machines
Keeping it working
- Keep household detergents and disinfectants to a minimum. Use concentrates that have a low salt content and use sparingly.
- Pump out the septic tank every 3-5 years. Sludge build up means the tank works less effectively.
- Irrigation pumps pits and grease traps also need to be cleaned out regularly. This should be done every month, or you reduce the life of your trench as fats and other solids pass through.
- Use plants to help absorb your wastewater. Place plants beside the trenches, not over them.
- Make sure that trenches are protected from vehicles such as cars and tractors. Vehicles compact the soil and can break the plastic arch in the trench, which sits just below the surface.
- Protect trenches from heavy animals such as cattle and horses, which can break the plastic arch and get injured.
In the long term
- Over time, trenches may become clogged. Effluent (greyish ooze) may come to the surface. This will mean that you will need to put in a new trench (prior to commencing this Council approval is required).
Fortunately, once you do this, your original trench will get a rest and through natural soil processes begin to unclog. In time you can use this trench again.
You will need to make sure that you have sufficient ground available for this future need.
Plants Suitable for Absorption Trench Areas in Tasmania
Need more information
Council's Environmental Health Officers will be pleased to assist you with more information.
Do not hesitate to contact them by phoning (03) 6238 2715, or visiting them at 16 Elizabeth Street, Hobart.
Trees
| Botanical Name |
Common Name |
| Melaleuca ericfolia |
Swamp Paper Bark |
| Melaleuca styphelioides |
Prickly Paper Bark |
| Melaleuca armillaris |
Braclet Honey Myrtle |
| Melaleuca linanfolia |
Flax Leaf Paper Myrtle |
| Hakea saligna |
Hakea |
| Hakea salicifolia |
Hakea |
| Eucalyptus amygdalina |
Black Peppermint |
| Eucalyptus kitsoniana |
Bog Gum |
| Acacia floribunda |
Wattle |
| Acacia melanoxylon |
Blackwood |
| Pittosporum undulatum |
Sweet Pittosporum |
Shrubs
| Botanical Name |
Common Name |
| Callistemon viminalis |
Bottlebrush |
| Callistemon citrinus |
Crimson Bottlebrush |
| Leptospermum lanigerum |
Woolly Tea-Tree |
| Leptospermum laevigatum |
Coastal Tea-Tree |
| Photinia 'robusta' |
Fire Bush |
| Abelia grandiflora |
Abelia |
| Hebe species |
Veronica/Rosemary |
| Grevillea rosemarinifolia |
Grevillea |
| Vimanana juncea |
Native Broom |
| Melaleuca thymifolia |
Thyme Leaf Myrtle |
| Acacia boormannii |
Wattle |
| Correa mannii |
Correa |
| Correa Dusty Bells |
Correa |
| Westringa fruticosa |
Westringa |
| Hydrangeas species |
Hydrangea |
Ground Covers
| Botanical Name |
Common Name |
| Leptospermum horizontalis |
Ground Cover Tea-Trees |
| Coprossima kirkii |
|
| Acanthus mollis |
Bears Britches |
| Juncus pallidus |
Ivy |
| Hedera species |
Fern Varieties |
Climbers
| Botanical Name |
Common Name |
| Clematis aristata |
Native Clematis |
| Lonicera japonica |
Honeysuckle |
| Hardenbergia violacae |
Happy Wanderer |
| Vitex |
Ornamental Grape |
Perennials
| Botanical Name |
Common Name |
| Canna |
Canna Lily |
| Gazania hybrida |
Gazania |
| Chrysanthemum species |
Daisy |
| Dimorpotheca |
Veldt Daisy |
| Viola species |
Voilet |
