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Wastewater treatment systems in Tasmania

(37 posts) (14 voices)

Started 4 years ago by mtasnewbuild
Latest reply from JohnAt

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tasreno
Member

Hi all,
I'm interested if anyone had any further experience with the systems discussed on this thread.

We are recently arrived in the Huon Valley area, and completing a renovation of a 1940s-50s house. Grey and black water is high on the priority list (the septic is currently under the house, and grey water goes into the ground, only to bubble up in the bottom corner of the garden!)

We are looking for a system to completely treat both sewerage and grey water. While we'd look at the active systems above, our preference would be for a lower maintenance passive system if possible. We only have a house block size (good slope though) so ability to have a large absorption trench might be limited. I'd be interested in sand filters, reed beds etc. Possibly above ground or semi-buried - as we have that clay layer others have spoken of. A composting toilet would not be out of the realms of possibility, although I'm a lot keener than my partner on this!

I'm particularly interested in any contacts for plumbers or designers in southern Tas that might have background in this area.

Regards,

Emma

Posted Tuesday 28 Jul 2015 @ 10:17:23 pm from IP #
kerynf
Member

Hi all,

When we were doing renovations and our old sewerage system and its accompanying grey water no longer met modern council requirement, we decided on a Biolytix system. The idea of using worms rather than chemicals appealed to us and while it seemed to be one of the few Biolytix systems working perfectly to begin with, after 4 years and one new pump @ $1,200, the system now has blocked pipes and we are looking at a longterm solution. Ongoing pumping and repair costs and the associated inspection fees to this system are do not appeal, particularly when there is no support from the now defunct company. With all the initial excavation, electrical and plumbing costs of around $14,000 for this system, we have a quote for another $14,000 to replace the system with either Fujiclean or similar. The AES comes in at around the same cost. It does not make me happy having to spend this money again to replace the system after such a short time, considering the old septic system had been operating (albeit with some odour) since the house was built in 1958.

I have been looking at replacing the Biolytix with the Advanced Enviro System. We are on 5 acres of dry sclerophyll bush and have plenty of room for an absorption area on a sloping site. It appeals because it has no moving parts and no ongoing inspection fees and the existing tank can be repurposed. I believe I can reduce the cost by doing some of the work ourselves and perhaps subcontracting others. I like the KISS principle and would like any advice or ideas on finding a simple and cheaper solution to this problem as well as the best way to create the best long term absorption area. An engineer has looked at the location and has suggested the AES as an option, along with others. I would be interested if anyone has direct experience with this system since it became available in 2013. It would certainly meet the Clarence City Council regulations and should operate successfully for the next 50 years without ongoing costs besides the odd pump out. It would be great to have some feedback.

Thanks

Posted Monday 21 Mar 2016 @ 3:21:58 am from IP #
wilkinsmoth
Member

Hi, We are building on sloping block with reactive clay soils in Acton Park, Tasmania. Council has stipulated AWTS system, have done a lot of research and discussed with different people, at present I am leaning towards the Taylex AWTS system with the insulated plastic tank over the Fuji system for a couple of reasons. 1: Better shock load 2: can be dialled up or down with household load.

Any suggestions/comments.

Thanks wilkinsmoth

Posted Sunday 25 Jun 2017 @ 10:11:29 pm from IP #
Bushwalker
Member

We did look at the Taylex before deciding the Fujiclean.

One of our primary objectives was to minimise power use while having an effective AWTS. Our previous system pulled a lot of power and had many expensive faults. One of the features of the Fuji is that there is no fancy controller that draws power or shorts out during a power spike, or gets damaged due to many possible issues. It is a very simple system, and it's air blower pulls just 49watts. The Taylex Nitto blower pulls 86 watts.

The Taylex offers lower blower use during low use. Maybe that works (or maybe not), it was not an option when we had to replace our previous failed system.

Posted Sunday 25 Jun 2017 @ 11:41:38 pm from IP #
wilkinsmoth
Member

Thanks Bushwalker, will look into that a little bit closer to compare the two.

Posted Monday 26 Jun 2017 @ 1:01:34 am from IP #
Bushwalker
Member

The issue for the system shutting down the blower, is that when the air pressure stops then the solids in suspension may enter the aeration system. Over time the solids clog up the aeration system. That's what happened with our previous system that had a timer on part of the aeration system.

A fine membrane aeration system that allows air to pass but not water might work better, no idea what the Taylex actually uses.

Posted Monday 26 Jun 2017 @ 2:16:05 am from IP #
JohnAt
Member

Recently joined, and found this very interesting as we are intending to move to Tas at some point, onto a block we've purchased.
I have transcribed the table from the image into Excel so that changes (such as updated values for blower wattage etc) are automatically translated to totals without having to do the sums every time.
I have also found a page of Accredited wastewater treatment units for Tasmania (at http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/building/plumbing/accredited_waste_water_management_systems) as well as a page of waterless composting toilets also accredited for Tasmania (at http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/building/plumbing/waterless_composting_toilet_systems).
These pages have links to suppliers in Tas, and will be a useful resource when we get to the point of a build.

Posted Thursday 28 Dec 2017 @ 12:47:50 am from IP #

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