When septic systems are properly designed, constructed, and maintained, they effectively reduce or eliminate most human health or environmental threats posed by pollutants in household wastewater.

Why should I care for my septic system?

As a homeowner you’re responsible for maintaining your septic system; and that maintenance of your septic system, protects your investment in your home?

If correctly designed, constructed and maintained, your septic system will provide long-term, effective treatment of your household wastewater.

Help nature look after herself

Although NaturalFlow is a natural living system, a little care will ensure that it will run at peak performance for many years.

All Homeowners are provided strong Owner Education on the operation of their NaturalFlow System and greatly encouraged to maintain periodic checks of their system.

This mainly involves simple visual checks:

• Worm numbers and tray loading
• Disposal field operation
• Any pump alarms (if applicable) are working
• Dose siphon operation (if applicable)
• Condition of plants in Plant Filter (if applicable)

Our top care tips:

• Check faucets and toilets regularly for leaks, and fix them promptly.

• Use low-flush toilets whenever possible to save water.

• For older toilets, use a ‘displacer’ to reduce the amount of water needed per flush.

• Install aerators on faucets and flow-reducer nozzles on showers to lower water use.

• Use less water when doing small laundry loads by adjusting water levels.

• Only run the dishwasher when it’s full to save water and energy.

• Plant your septic field densely to maximise water absorption through plants.

• Use only recommended wetland plants near or over your septic system. Check regularly for even wastewater distribution and healthy plant growth.

• Perform monthly visual checks of your septic system and disposal field.

• Keep grass trimmed or mowed regularly to promote healthy growth and prevent overgrowth.

• Use plants, low chains, signs, or fences to keep people and animals out of public septic areas.

• If public access is near the disposal area, make sure to fence it off properly.

• Use signs, fences, and plantings to prevent vehicles and livestock from entering the system area.

• Keep detailed records of all maintenance work done on your wastewater system.

• Follow the care and monitoring instructions in your homeowner’s manual.

Things to avoid:

• Don’t use chlorine-based cleaners or products high in chlorine, phosphorus, or ammonia in your toilets or kitchen sink.

• Avoid overusing strong cleaning products — they can kill the helpful bacteria your septic system needs to work properly.

• Never pour toxic or strong chemicals like paint, oil, grease, paint thinners, or pesticides down any drains.

• Don’t flush these items down the toilet: dental floss, feminine hygiene products, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, or any other kitchen and bathroom waste.

• Never dispose of drugs by flushing them down the sink or toilet.

• Don’t empty rubbish bags into the Wormorator.

• Do not put dog faeces into the Wormorator, as it contains harmful bacteria.

• Avoid pouring vinegar or brine down the kitchen sink or toilet — their acidity harms the worms.

• Don’t change or add to any part of your septic system without approval from WaterFlow NZ LTD.

Further helpful hints:

Your NaturalFlow system is a living organism and some cleaning products have the ability to kill these organisms. When purchasing products such as cleaners and detergents etc, be sure to check the label to see if the product is either biodegradable or safe to use in sewage systems. Adding bread to the Wormorator helps worms to multiply.

Note: You are welcome to install a Garbage Grinder in your kitchen sink. The worms love it!!

Care for your Disposal Field

Your disposal field is an important part of your septic system. Here are a few things you should do to maintain it:
 

• Don’t drive or park vehicles on any part of your septic system. Doing so can compact the soil in your drainfield or damage the pipes, tank, or other septic system components.
• Do not build any structures over it or seal it with concrete, asphalt etc
• Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from the drainfield. Flooding the drainfield with excessive water slows down or stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing fixtures to back up.
• Trees with very aggressive roots, such as willows, should be kept well away from the disposal system, check our list of recommended plantings
• A soggy drainfield won’t absorb and neutralize liquid waste. Plan landscaping, roof gutters and foundation drains so that excess water is diverted away from the septic drainfield.
• Plant only recommended wetland plants over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the drainfield. Learn what you should plant around your disposal field here.