1890 Effluent Disposal Review · MCU20/0022

a)   The land application area needs protection as follows:

          i.       spray or irrigation areas are not play areas for children and access should be
                   restricted;
       ii.         any evapo-transpiration areas should be designed to deter pedestrian traffic;
      iii.         no vehicles or stock should be allowed on trenches or beds;
      iv.          deep rooting trees or shrubs should not be grown over absorption trenches or
                   pipes;
      v.           keep the surface water diversion drains upslope of and around the land application
                   area should be kept clean to reduce absorption of rainwater into trenches or beds;
      vi.          the baffles or valves in the distribution system should be periodically checked
                   (monthly or seasonally).

b) Irrigation areas should have their grass mowed and plants maintained to ensure that these
   areas take-up nutrients with maximum efficiency.

c) Signs for spray irrigation areas should ensure that appropriate warning signs are always
   visible to persons undertaking any activity near a spray irrigation area.

d) Check equipment and:

          i.       follow the manufacturer's instructions for maintaining and cleaning pumps, siphons
                   and septic tank filters;
       ii.         clean disc filters or filter screens on irrigation-dosing equipment periodically by
                   rinsing back into the primary waste-water treatment unit;
      iii.         flush drip irrigation lines periodically to scour out any accumulated sediment.

Advice on Operating Problems
Problems can occur with systems which have not been maintained and where irrigation areas
have become saturated or clogged. The warning signs are obvious:


     a)        Irrigation area is wet or soggy with waste-water ponding on the surface of the ground.
     b)        There is a smell of "sewage" near the treatment plant or absorption area.
     c)        The drains and toilets run slowly.
     d)        The grease trap is full or blocked.

Advice on the Consequence of Failure
A failed treatment plant and land application system is a serious health and environmental
hazard and can lead to:

     a)        Spread of infectious diseases.
     b)        Breeding of mosquitoes and attraction of flies and rodents.
     c)        Nuisance and unpleasantness.
     d)        Pollution and infection of waterways, beaches, streams and shellfish beds.
     e)        Contamination of bores, wells and groundwater.
     f)        Alteration of the local ecology.

Advice on Home-owner / Occupier Responsibilities
Home-owners and occupiers are legally responsible to keep their on-site waste-water system
in good working order. If any of the above warning signs are evident, the home-owner or
occupier must contact the manufacturer / installer or authorised plumber for further advice.