Septic Tank Alternatives
If you are in need of wastewater treatment on your property, but a septic tank isn’t really what you are looking for, there are alternatives available to you.
Always speak to an industry professional though, to discuss what options are best for you and your specific needs, as not all wastewater solutions are suited to everyone. Express Wastewater Solutions are also happy to assist, so call 1300 722 517 today.
Types of wastewater treatment
As there are different types of wastewater, there are different ways in which wastewater is required to be treated. In general, there are two different ways in which wastewater can be treated on your property - septic systems and home sewage treatment systems.
Municipal sewerage systems will not be discussed, so check out your local Council page if you want to know about these.
If your property isn’t connected to a Municipal sewerage system, the treatment and disposal of wastewater must occur on your property. There are 2 main systems that can do this:
- Septic Systems: Sometimes referred to as septic tanks, they are buried watertight container that is typically made from concrete, fibreglass or polyethylene plastic - responsible for collecting and storing all of the wastewater from your household plumbing prior to distributing it through a drain field.
- Home Sewage Treatment Plant: Otherwise known as HSTPs, they are an arrangement which treats both greywater and blackwater in one area. In principle, they are loosely based around a community sewage treatment system, however, are just on a smaller scale (suited to one home instead of an entire street or area).
Septic tank alternatives
So, a HSTP is an alternative to a septic tank or septic system… but you may not have heard them called this. HSTPs can also be known as:
- Wastewater Treatment Systems: Generally the overarching term for all wastewater treatment options - covers all derivatives.
- On-site Sewage Facilities: Otherwise known as onsite sewage facilities, OSSFs or OSFs, they are any arrangement that stores, treats and disposes of household sewage and wastewater for a property that is not connected to a public sewerage system.
- Wastewater Treatment Plant: Again, an overarching term for a place where wastewater treatment occurs. Otherwise known as WWTPs.
- Sewage Treatment Unit: Otherwise known as STUs or sewage treatment plants (STPs), this name refers to any wastewater treatment process with multiple ways of treating water.
- Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems: Also known as an AWTS and is a way of both adequately treating and reusing wastewater in a safe and eco-friendly way. It is used for the treatment of domestic wastewater from either one or multiple homes, through various treatment ‘chambers’ which are attached to an irrigation system. The treated wastewater can then be used to water your garden or other areas of your property.
- Aerobic Treatment Units: Also known as ATUs or aerobic treatment systems (ATSs), they are self-contained electrical wastewater sewage treatment system that has similar traits to a septic tank arrangement, however, uses an aerobic process for digestion rather than just the anaerobic process used in septic systems.
- Aerobic Septic Systems: Sometimes called an aerobic treatment system or ATS, this is a small-scale sewage treatment system similar to a septic tank system, but which uses an aerobic process for digestion rather than just the anaerobic process used in septic systems.
- Domestic Wastewater Treatment: Sometimes called a Residential Wastewater Treatment System - refers to any wastewater treatment system designed to be installed on a domestic/residential property.
Although all these terms do not mean exactly the same thing, they have the same overall definition - they treat wastewater at your home. Click on any of the above relevant options for further information.
Is a septic tank or a HSTP a better option?
A home sewage treatment plant is generally considered a better option than traditional septic systems, as it provides higher quality effluent than septic tanks and treats water in 3 stages. In saying this, however, it is always suggested that you speak to a qualified wastewater professional who will be able to assist in choosing the most appropriate option for your needs.
Want to know more?
- Learn about the different types of wastewater
- Compare septic tanks and HSTPs
- Learn about what breaks down the sewage in a HSTP
- Learn about what breaks down the sewage in a septic tank
- Learn about the different types of sewage treatment systems
- Learn how a septic system works
- Learn how an HSTP works
- Learn about the advantages of the sewage treatment process
- Learn about the disadvantages of the sewage treatment process
Resources:
http://www.taylex.com.au/faq.html
http://www.taylex.com.au/whatis.html
https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/construction/BuildingPlumbing/Plumbing/OnSiteSewerage/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/catchment/living/wastewater/systems/awts