The greatest causes of problems with your treatment plant are cleaning products and the washing machine.

Do I have to use any special type of detergents and washing powders?

PLEASE NOTE:  The following information is not intended to promote or discredit the product of any Company.  It is provided to assist in ensuring the satisfactory on-going operation of your system.

To protect the environment and ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your home sewerage treatment plant (HSTP) we recommend that you use environment friendly detergents and cleaners.  

Using cleaners and detergents that contain high levels of ammonia (eg bleach) and/or phosphorus is hazardous to the biological health of your HSTP.  These types of cleaners kill off the natural bacteria and micro-organisms used to treat the primary effluent.  Reduction of the natural bacteria of your HSTP will result in a much lower level of primary treatment and may produce unpleasant “septic” odours.  High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus also contribute to the growth of algae and other less desirable micro-organisms in the environment eg algal growth in waterways.

Environment friendly cleaners are those cleaners that either use no chemicals or reduced levels of chemicals.  

Washing powders/liquids may use labelling that indicates the phosphorus level of the product.  Look for the following symbols on the packaging of cleaning products:

P

This symbol lets you know that the product complies with the agreed Australian industry standard on phosphorus, which imposes a maximum content of 7.8 grams per wash. The standard is designed to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering Australian waterways.

NP

This symbol lets you know that the product contains no added phosphorus. Levels of 0.5% may be present.

SUITABLE PRODUCTS - All products should be used in moderation

DISWASHING LIQUIDS

Adds Morning Fresh Bushlands Rix Palmolive Sunlight Greenapple Kit Finish for Dishwashers (limit quantity)

SURFACE CLEANERS

Jiff Cream Cleaner Spray & Wipe (limit quantity) Nifty Swipe Shower Power Windex

TOILET CLEANERS

Jiff Cream Cleaner or any cream cleaner – Toilet fresheners are not recommended.

FLOOR CLEANERS

Use hot water and detergent

LAUNDRY POWDERS AND LIQUIDS

We highly recommend visiting this independent website www.lanfaxlabs.com.au for further information on laundry products.  They have a concise, comprehensive and independent brochure detailing laundry products that is available for free download. 

AVOIDABLE PRODUCTS

ANTIBACTERIAL SOLUTIONS

Antibiotics Nappy Plus Pineoclean Blue Loo Napisan Preen Soaker Bio-Ad Nappy Soft Tri-zyme Bio Jo Nappy Fresh Toilet Duck Milton Tablets Nursil Toilet Cleaners

BLEACHES

Domestos Lemon Bleach White King Budget Lemon Zixo Fiesta Marvolinn

OTHER CLEANERS

Ajax ESP Herbal Metho or Kero Swipol Aussa Exit Mould Flea, Tick Wash Handy Andy Bubble Baths Floor Cleaners Spirits/Alcohol Draino Caustic Oven Cleaners Green Choice Down to Earth

TOILET PAPER

The basic problem is that ALL toilet paper is biodegradable and generally advertises this point prominently on their packaging…so consumers are not aware that their choice in this area may affect the operation of their plant. 

While all toilet paper biodegrades the rate at which this occurs differs vastly between products and this is where the problem comes in with your treatment plant.  We advise consumers to choose toilet paper that biodegrades quickly and easily – but how to work out which ones do and which ones don’t?  After a bit of googling the only article we could find to assist consumers in this area was a star rating page given to various brands of toilet paper by Choice.

The star rating is not directly linked to biodegradability rates but is based on the “greener” choice.  Basically products that use higher recycled or farmed tissue and less bleaching are rated higher than those that do not.  The higher the recycled content and the lower the bleaching may also indicate a faster rate of biodegradability. Apart from this guide the only other advice we can offer is by trial and error.  We are happy to have feedback on this area if someone has a product they want to recommend.

QUICK TIPS – Do’s & Don’ts

DO  Try to evenly spread your washing over a period of a week. Avoid where possible to wash everything in one day. It puts to much water in the system and your HSTP will struggle to cope. Liquid soaps breakdown easier than granulate styles do. Try not to be heavy handed with the amount of soaps you use.

Use only recommended biodegradable products that don’t contain disinfectants.  Any product used that kills bacteria is harmful to your system. If you wish to use some of the harsher cleaning products, it is suggested that you use a bucket and discard the contents in the garden. This also applies to disinfectant, surface sprays and wipes.

The use of toilet paper that disintegrates easily is recommended.

With a new installation or immediately after a pump out, it is essential that the tank be filled with water.  The build up of sludge in the bottom of the primary/secondary sectors of the treatment system must be removed regularly (approx every 5-10 years).  

Maintain mosquito proofing on all vents.  Mosquitoes can breed rapidly in the environment of a sewerage tank.

Ensure that your disposal area is operating as designed – wastewater should be disposed of evenly over the entire irrigation area.  Avoid ponding.  Move sprinkler hoses regularly (ensure hoses are not kinked and sprinklers are not blocked).  Maintain signage.  

DON’T: Do not allow foreign objects, (eg. Nappy liners, disposable nappies, tampons, pads, condoms etc) to enter the system.  Pouring large quantities (1/2 litre or more) of beer, wine, milk or fruit juice into the system should be avoided as it can upset the balance in your system.  Do not use garbage grinders or insinkerators.

Do not cover tanks with earth, cement, paver or any material.

Do not prevent quick and easy access to any inspection openings.

Do not allow roof or surface water to enter any part of the system.  Ensure that diversion mounds around the media filter bed are maintained.  Direct surface water away from media bed and treatment tank and ensure that stormwater/rainwater outlets do not discharge in the treatment area.

We do recommend that you regularly review the "Ten Commandments for Septic Tanks" (applicable for both all waste septic systems and wastewater treatment plants) to ensure that everyday practices comply with the general "Do's & Don'ts".