Affordable Solutions for Plumbing and Gas
ABN: 57 680 657 256
Plumber: PL 6556
Gas Fitter: GF 3461
Septic Tank Systems with Leach Drains or Soak Wells
In areas where there is no sewer connection available supplied by the Water Corporation each property will require a suitable Septic Tank and Effluent disposal system as set out by the Health Department of Western Australia.
Each individual assessment of what size and what type of Septic Tank System comes down to the individual Shire Councils or Local Government. These decisions take on many different requirements due to various installation conditions including:-
-
Capacity requirements
-
Zone requirements
-
Soil Conditions
-
Water Table levels and nearby Rivers, Creeks, and Water Courses as well as the proximity to Bore Wells. (these all affect the final assessment)
-
Also, conditions set out by the health department of Western Australia.
If you are building a new residential home where there is no sewer connection to your site you will require a septic tank system with effluent disposal to comply with your local Shire or Local Government.
The first step in building in a non-sewered area is to complete an “Application to Construct or Install an Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage”. This must be lodged through your local shire office through the Building Department.
Under guidelines from the Health Department of Western Australia your local shire Environment and Health Department shall assess the requirements for your area. The size and type of Septic Tank System depend on a few factors and information supplied by you.
Some of this information includes:-
-
How big a home you intend to build?
-
How many bedrooms and bathrooms
-
Drawn on a site plan you need to show where the septic system is proposed to be installed. We (RMC Plumbing Services) can organise all of this and submit your application.
-
What type of soil you have onsite? Sand? Clay? Loam? Rock? Gravel? It is all relevant.
Normally your Plumber submits your application as the Plumber can answer and questions they may have regarding the application.
Once the application has been assessed and approved the building permit can be issued.
RMC Plumbing Services have had many years dealing with various local Shire offices, obtaining approval, and installing septic systems all over the Southwest. We are the preferred contractor for over 8 shire councils. We look after the whole process from start to finish.
Existing Septic Tank System with Leach Drains or Soak Wells
If you have an existing septic system that has failed due to Leach Drains or Soak Wells flooding because of age of or exceeding the soil’s capacity to absorb the Effluent Liquid, then you can take steps to replace your Effluent Disposal system either Leach drains or Soak Wells.
This would all be relevant if you had the space to install new Effluent Disposal System. (90% of the time this is not a problem.)
RMC Plumbing Services have all the equipment and expertise to replace any type of Effluent Disposal System that you may require
Standard Septic Tank Systems Comprise of :-
-
A primary Septic Tank which ALL wastewater discharges into.
-
A secondary septic tank which allows any remaining water bourne solids to settle in the bottom of the second tank.
-
An Effluent Diverter which is a specially designed plumbing product that has a swing gate which can allow the effluent to be directed to either leach drain or soak well.
-
The system then comprises of 2 x Leach Drains or 4 soak wells depending on the situation, these can be used individually using the diverter. (depending on Shire Requirements)
Alternative Treatment Units or Secondary Treatment Units :-
These are different types of sewage treatment systems and may be required when environmental issues arise regarding effluent disposal.
The Importance of Your Septic System :-
One thing you should remember is your existing or proposed septic system is the only apparatus you will have on your property to treat and dispose of your wastewater and sewage.
Some benefits mostly come from not having to pay for annual service fees being connected to the sewer system.
The downside to septic systems is they can only handle and treat so much wastewater and sewage each day, therefore being mindful of what is discharged into your septic system daily would prolong the life of the effluent disposal system.
Although the septic tank system is sized to be the most effective during use it would be unwise of RMC Plumbing Services not to inform owners of septic tank systems to prevent the waste water from your washing machine from entering the septic system as an automatic washing machine will pump hundreds of litres of waste water down the drain when this waste water is just fine being drained onto your lawn or garden.
What is The Expected Life Span of Existing Leach Drains or Soak Wells :-
Depending on your soil condition on average a single leach drain or a single soak well will last about 15 years. This would also need to take into account what volume of water has been discharged into the septic system.