Sustainable Home Designs Benefit from Including Concrete Rainwater Tanks

by Ri Industries

Underground concrete rainwater tanks can play a vital role in sustainable home design and
construction practices. Here are some ways in which they can be seamlessly incorporated:

1. Integrated Water Management: Designing a sustainable home involves efficient water
management. Concrete rainwater tanks can be integrated into the overall water
management system, collecting and storing rainwater for various uses such as toilet
flushing, laundry, garden irrigation, and even potable water with proper filtration. By
incorporating rainwater tanks, homeowners can reduce their reliance on mains water
supply, conserve water resources, and minimise the environmental impact of water
consumption.

2. Green Roofs and Walls: Concrete rainwater tanks can be integrated into green roof or
green wall systems. These systems involve vegetation planted on roofs or walls, which
can help insulate the building, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve air quality. The
rainwater collected in the tanks can be used for irrigation, ensuring the plants receive an
adequate water supply.

3. Sustainable Landscaping: Concrete rainwater tanks can support sustainable
landscaping practices. The collected rainwater can be used for watering plants, lawns,
and gardens, reducing the reliance on potable water and conserving water resources.
Additionally, the tanks can be designed to incorporate overflow systems that direct
excess water to permeable surfaces or bioswales, minimizing runoff and replenishing
groundwater.

4. Durability and Longevity: Concrete rainwater tanks are known for their durability and
longevity. By incorporating these underground tanks into the initial construction of a
sustainable home, homeowners can ensure long-term water storage and reduce the
need for replacements or repairs. This reduces waste and supports a more sustainable
approach to building materials.

5. Education and Awareness: Incorporating concrete rainwater tanks into sustainable home
design provides an opportunity to educate homeowners and raise awareness about the
importance of water conservation and sustainable practices. Homeowners can learn

about the benefits of rainwater harvesting, the water cycle, and how their actions can
contribute to environmental sustainability.

By considering the aspects above, homeowners can enhance the sustainability of their homes
while reducing their environmental footprint.

As a manufacturer of pre-cast concrete products, Ri-Industries can provide you with below
ground concrete rainwater tanks. Designed and manufactured in Adelaide to the highest
standards, our underground rainwater tanks are superior quality, with a range of sizes available.
Our team has the perfect rainwater tank for you. Call 08 8444 8100 to learn more. We look
forward to hearing from you!

Concrete Rainwater Tanks – What are the Benefits?

by Ri Industries

Get your rainwater tank in time for the ‘rainy season’ in South Australia. We get most of our
rainfall during the winter months of June, July and August, so now is a great time to get
prepared. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using a Ri-Industries concrete rainwater tank.
Rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing and using rainwater for
landscape irrigation and other uses. It’s popular in South Australia due to its numerous benefits
such as:

● Reduces water bills
● Provides an alternative water supply during water restrictions
● Helps maintain a green and healthy garden
● Depending upon the tank size and climate, rainwater harvesting can reduce mains water
use by 100%
● Decreases storm water runoff, thereby helping to reduce local flooding.
● Rainwater causes less erosion to household appliances due to their low salinity content
● Rainwater is softer than mains water which may mean you use less soap, detergent, and
shampoo.

What are the benefits of our concrete rainwater tank? Concrete rainwater tanks offer a number
of advantages:

● The water stays cooler.
● No algae develops.
● The water has no after-taste.
● They are vandal-proof and fire-proof.
● Being underground means they are out of sight and don’t take up much of your valuable
real estate.
● Concrete is stronger and more durable.

How much water can be saved using our concrete rainwater tanks? A family of four with a
100m² roof catchment area and a 1000L tank can capture enough rainwater in one year to:

● Flush a toilet 2X/day per person
● Fill a 150L tub to provide a bath for one person per week

● Run a sprinkler system for one hour 5X/week
● Use dishwasher every day
● Give a 5 minute shower to each person 2X/week

Good for the environment + saves money = a great investment! Call us at 08 8444 8100 to
speak with one of our experts and learn about installing a concrete rainwater collection tank at your home.

Lawn Care and Gardening Tips for Summer in Adelaide

by Ri Industries

Now it’s summer, we thought we would round up some lawn care and gardening tips to share with you. The summer growing season is, generally speaking, from December to February. In some Australian climates, it may begin as early as November or end as late as March, so checking your local climate is a great place to start. 

Why does ri-industries.com.au write articles about lawn care and gardening? Because we want to help everywhere we can! Our tips can help you reduce water bills and properly care for your septic system. 

Let’s talk about conserving water and reducing bills. 

  • A simple step to take is to water early in the morning or overnight. Watering while the temperature is relatively cool allows the lawn and garden the chance to fully absorb the water. Watering late in the day can produce humidity overnight which can lead to the development of fungus.
  • Water the garden only when it needs to be watered. How will you know? Stick your finger about 4 cm into the soil, and if the soil is not moist, it’s time to water.
  • Be thorough when watering the garden. Flower beds can do just fine when watered just once or twice per week as long as it’s a good, thorough soak. 
  • Did you know that you can reuse waste water to water the lawn via sub surface irrigation and garden? The surface irrigation disposal area must be dedicated to the sole use of effluent disposal. The area must be landscaped, preferably with salt tolerant shrubs and trees and should be designed to discourage pedestrian and vehicle access. The Ri-Treat Waste Water System works to clean and reuse your waste water from the toilet, kitchen, and laundry to irrigate your garden. This system is a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way to keep your garden looking green and healthy.
  • Collect rainwater and use it to water the lawn and garden. Our article How to Water Your Garden With Water Collected in a Rainwater Tank talks about the benefits of using a rainwater tank and how to use it.

Now let’s talk about lawn and garden tips to help protect the septic system.

  • Be mindful of the septic tank soakaway. A septic tank soakaway is a series of underground, perforated pipes that allow septic tank effluent to soakaway over a large area. A lawn is the best cover for the soakaway. It will help prevent soil erosion while adding beauty to the landscape. When planting, do not dig too deep and be sure to wear gloves to protect against bacteria that may be in the soil.
  • Know what/what not to plant around a septic tank. First, do not plant anything with deep roots or anything that will be super thirsty. Second, don’t ever plant fruits or vegetables over the septic tank! Third, it’s recommended to plant the right kind of vegetation over the septic tank such as perennials, annuals, and grass. Willow Myrtle trees, Swamp Oak trees, River Red Gum trees, Papyrus shrubs, and Oleander shrubs make particularly good choices to plant near the septic tank. Learn more in our articles Tips for Planting Around a Septic Tank and Tips for Planting Over Septic Drain Fields.

As you can see, we care about providing quality products which benefit the environment as well as you. Our experts will be happy to speak with you and the products that can best suit your needs. Please call us at 08 8444 8100.

 

Rainwater Harvesting Will Help Conserve Water and Lower Costs

by Ri Industries

Rainwater harvesting is an excellent way to conserve water and lower expenses. The rainfall we’ve been seeing in South Australia makes this a great time to learn about rainwater harvesting and see if it’s something you’d like to do. 

First, let’s answer the question, ‘What is rainwater harvesting?’. Simply put, it’s collecting and storing rain for later use. So now, let’s take a look at how the water can be used and how it is collected. 

Harvested rainwater provides clean water where water is scarce or polluted. It can be used to flush toilets, do laundry, water the garden, wash cars, and more. However, if you want to be able to drink the water, the system must be designed, operated, and maintained to ensure the water quality is suitable. 

It’s often thought that rainwater harvesting is only done in rural areas. In fact, many urban households harvest rainwater to significantly lower mains water usage. According to www.sa.gov.au, “South Australian building rules require that new dwellings and some extensions or alterations, have an additional water supply to supplement mains water. The most common way to meet the additional water supply requirement is to install plumbed minimum-sized rainwater tanks.”

Is harvesting rainwater more costly than only using mains water? No! Once the tank is installed and your water use is supplemented by the harvested rainwater, your water bills should be lower. After all, rainwater is free!

Harvested rainwater is collected from various hard surfaces such as rooftops and/or other man made above ground hard surfaces. The water is stored in a tank. The below diagram (credit: treehugger.com) shows how rainwater harvesting works.

Ri-Industries manufactures underground concrete rainwater tanks. Concrete rainwater tanks offer a number of advantages:

  • The water stays cooler.
  • No algae develops.
  • The water has no after-taste.
  • They are vandal-proof and fire-proof.
  • Being underground means they are out of sight and don’t take up much of your valuable real estate.
  • Concrete is stronger and more durable.

Our rainwater tanks are built to stand the test of time. They’re made from high frequency vibrated reinforced concrete using the highest quality of materials. Steel mesh is cast into the rainwater tanks and lids, and all fittings are made from brass – to give additional peace of mind. We also have full engineering approval for below ground tanks. This means you can rest easy knowing that a Ri-Industries rainwater tank will serve you well, wherever it is installed. We can also custom make inlets and outlets to suit your specific requirements. 

Are you ready to conserve water and save money? Call us at 08 8444 8100 and let know how we can help you!

 

Rainwater Tanks for Homes in South Australia

by Ri Industries

Rainwater tanks are the most common way to meet the additional water supply requirements that South Australian building rules need for new dwellings and some extensions or alterations. So, what should you look for in a rainwater tank and what can the collected water be used for? Ri-Industries has the answers.

What to look for in a rainwater tank:

  • Covers are essential to help avoid children and/or animals from getting inside the tank. They also help reduce water evaporation and deters algae growth which can result when sunlight enters. 
  • Underground or Above ground? The choice is yours! Above ground tanks can be easier to install because you don’t have to excavate a space for them first. However, they can take up valuable room. Underground rainwater tanks can save a lot space and can be installed in smaller properties where the size of the property would otherwise prohibit the use of a tank. They are often installed underneath driveways and are a popular choice for new home developments.
  • Where will it go? Ri-Industries are experts in underground rainwater tanks and our experts can help you determine the ideal location to install your underground rainwater tank. 
  • Rainwater tanks definitely fall into the category of something you want to last. Our concrete tanks are designed and built to do just that. They also come with a  manufacturers warranty to give additional piece of mind. 

How to use the water collected in rainwater tanks:

  • Hot water systems
  • Laundry
  • Toilets
  • Irrigation

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear is whether or not it’s safe to drink water from the rainwater tank. The answer is no, unless a filtration system is added to first purify the water. The collected water may contain emissions from vehicles/industry and the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of the gutters it flows through also play a factor. 

When you are interested in learning more about rainwater tanks or are ready to purchase, please give Ri-Industries a call on 08 8444 8100.

Best Plants for Xeriscaping

by Ri Industries

Last month we spoke about the benefits of xeriscaping and how to get started in our article ‘Xeriscaping: Benefits and How to Start’. We shared that choosing plants which are native to the region in which you live is the best option for a xeric garden. In this article, we’ll discuss what those plants are. 

To provide you with the best information we can, we went straight to the experts at SA Water. The first thing to consider is soil type and local environment:

  1. Coastal settings tend to have alkaline sandy soils
  2. Plains regions tend to have alkaline loam over clay  
  3. Hills tends to have acidic sandy loam over clay and higher rainfall

Sawater.com.au offers their top picks for the South Australian region:

Coastal (Species, Common Name, Lifeform) – 

  • Kunzea pomifera, Muntries, Mat
  • Myoporum parvifolium (broadleaf form), Creeping Boobialla, Mat
  • Goodenia varia, Sticky Goodenia, Groundcover
  • Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Common Yellow Button, Herb
  • Lepidosperma gladiatum, Coast Sword-sedge, Sedge
  • Thomasia petalocalyx, Paper-flower, Shrub
  • Rhagodia parabolica, Fragrant Saltbush, Shrub
  • Grevillea ilicifolia, Holly-leaf Grevillea, Shrub
  • Eucalyptus minniritchi, Minniritchi Mallee, Small tree
  • Allocasuarina verticillata, Drooping She-oak, Tree

 

Plains (Species, Common Name, Lifeform) – 

  • Myoporum parvifolium (broadleaf form), Creeping Boobialla, Mat
  • Scaevola albida, Fan-Flower, Mat
  • Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Common Yellow Button, Herb
  • Pycnosorus globosus, Billy-buttons, Herb
  • Lomandra multiflora ssp. dura, Iron-grass, Sedge
  • Thomasia petalocalyx, Paper-flower, Shrub
  • Rhagodia parabolica, Fragrant Saltbrush, Shrub
  • Grevillea ilicifolia, Holly-leaf Grevillea, Shrub
  • Correa glabra var. turnbullii, Smooth Correa, Shrub
  • Eucalyptus minniritchi, Minniritchi Mallee, Small tree
  • Allocasuarina verticillata, Drooping She-oak, Tree
  • Acacia melanoxylon, Blackwood, Tree
  • Myoporum petiolatum, Sticky Boobialla, Shrub

 

Hills (Species, Common Name, Lifeform) – 

  • Scaevola albida, Fan-Flower, Mat
  • Pultenaea pedunculata, Matted Bush-pea, Mat
  • Grevillea lavandulacea ssp. lavandulacea, Heath Grevillea, Groundcover
  • Correa decumbens, Spreading Correa, Groundcover
  • Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Common Yellow Button, Herb
  • Mentha diemenica, Slender mint, Herb
  • Lomandra multiflora ssp. dura, Iron-grass, Sedge
  • Correa glabra var. turnbullii, Smooth Correa, Shrub
  • Myoporum petiolatum, Sticky Boobialla, Shrub
  • Allocasuarina verticillata, Drooping She-oak, Tree
  • Acacia melanoxylon, Blackwood, Tree
  • Callitris rhomboidea, Oyster Bay Pine, Tree

Your local nursery can also assist you in choosing the best plants for your area. We’d love to hear which plants you choose, so please let us know on our Facebook page!

 

Xeriscaping – Benefits and How to Start

by Ri Industries

Regular readers of our articles may remember ‘The Benefits of Xeriscaping’ article we published in August of 2019. After reading the most recent drought report by the Australian Government of Meteorology, we thought now would be a good time to once again discuss xeriscaping. 

According to the May 2022 drought report, rainfall in April of 2022 was below average for western Tasmania, coastal south-eastern South Australia, south-western Victoria, and a large area of Central Australia spanning the south-west of the Northern Territory and interior of Western Australia. Serious rainfall deficiencies (totals in the lowest 10% of historical observations since 1900) are affecting parts of southern Australia for the period starting December 2021. 

Why did this information lead us to write about xeriscaping? Because xeriscaping is landscaping designed specifically for areas that are susceptible to drought, or for properties where water conservation is practiced. Creating outdoor spaces which require little water is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for your bank account!

There are more benefits than just reducing the amount of water used on lawn, trees, plants, and shrubs. It also reduces pollution since pesticides and fertilisers are not needed and it also removes the need for mowing. One of the best benefits is the ease of maintenance. Less water needed means less time fussing with hoses and sprinklers and the types of plants used typically grow slowly meaning less time spent pruning and trimming. 

How to get started with your xeric garden? 

  1. Determine the best location. Will you remove the entire lawn or just sections? Areas that are least used tend to be the best location for growing these types of plants. 
  2. Group plants by the amount of water they will need. Phgmag.com recommends three zones: 
    1. Zone One (Oasis Zone) – The oasis zone has the most water-dependent plants and requires more maintenance than other zones. 
    2. Zone Two (Transition Zone) – The transition zone requires less watering and maintenance than the oasis zone but has more needs than the xeric zone. 
    3. Zone Three (Xeric Zone) – The xeric zone requires very little water and maintenance.
  3. Replace lawn with mulch, rocks, gravel or a combination.
  4. Choose plants native to the region where you live and learn how drought-resistant each is. 
  5. Determine how to irrigate the garden. A drip irrigation system is often a good choice. 
  6. Make sure you are working with good soil as it will hold water well, provide nutrients, and properly aerate to allow water to reach deep roots. 

Now that you’ve planned your xeric garden, you’re well on your way to helping the environment and saving time, energy, and money.  Stay tuned for our next article which will discuss best choices of plants for South Australia.

 

What is the Expected Lifespan of a Septic System

by Ri Industries

septic system exposed in ground

What is the expected lifespan of a septic system? We hear this question often. After all, a septic system is not only a big financial investment, but it’s something that causes much disruption when it’s not working properly.

So, what can you expect? For a conventional septic system which is properly designed, well-built, maintained as advised, and not overworked, you can expect it to last for 20 – 30 years. The next logical question is, how do you tick all of those boxes?

The first two are simple. When you purchase a septic tank from Ri-Industries, you are purchasing a properly designed and well-built tank. With over 70 years of experience in the septic tank business in Adelaide, South Australia, Ri-Industries has developed efficient manufacturing techniques to produce concrete septic tanks and septic tank lids of the highest quality that are built to last.

Our article “Common Septic Tank Mistakes to Avoid to Keep Your System Running Well”  addresses proper maintenance you should follow. Fortunately, maintenance is not required often, but it should be done on a regular basis. What does that mean? The answer will be determined based upon the size and the system and amount of use it gets. Typically, pumping every 3 – 5 years is recommended.

Don’t forget about the drain field. Proper care for it will help keep the system working properly. When the drain field is not properly cared for, the wastewater cannot filter correctly, which can cause it to flow into the groundwater, or back through your pipes and into your home. Don’t build structures or park vehicles on the drain field.

Address warning signs of problems promptly. Slow draining sinks/bath, spots of healthy, green grass over the drain field, or bad odours coming from the tank or drain field are common signs of problems. Taking care of the problems early can save you money on the repairs and help extend the life of the system.

How do you avoid overworking the septic system? 

  • Space out laundry loads. Running numerous loads of laundry in a day can flood the field and overfill the tank, forcing untreated wastewater (with solids) into the leach field, clogging the field.
  • Turn off taps when washing up, brushing your teeth, or doing dishes, to avoid running more water than necessary.
  • Don’t put your drain field in a low area that collects water. Excess water seeping into the ground has the same effect as excess water from the house – a saturated drain field that functions poorly and may fail early.
  • Consider low-flow shower heads and water conserving toilets to reduce the amount of water flowing through the system.
  • Be careful what you flush. Our article “Can I Flush This Waste?” has important tips. 

Our website has lots of articles to help you properly care for your septic system. And of course, our experts are available to answer your questions. All you need to do is call 8444 8100.

Laundry Tips to Help Your Septic Tank System

by Ri Industries

Did you know the way you do laundry can affect your septic system? If you read our article last month, you likely do. We discussed common causes of a failing septic system and heavy water usage is one of the most common causes. So, from Ri-Industries to you, here are some laundry tips to help keep your septic system working properly. 

Be careful of washing clothes that are too dirty for the wash. Yes, you read that right. When items with excess dirt on them (like caked-on mud) are added to the wash load, you risk a build up of dirt/mud which can in turn clog the system and damage the absorption of the drainfield.

Spread out your washing. If you don’t accumulate a lot of laundry during the week (2 loads or less), doing it all in one day may be fine. But, if you’re like most of us, the laundry that piles up in your home all week can be too much to put your septic system through in one day. The loads should be spaced apart to give the settlement process time to properly break down the solid matter. If you don’t, the soakage field could fail which can cause extensive damage. 

The septic system uses ‘good’ bacteria to break down the solids which enter it. Excessive amounts of bleach and detergents will damage the good bacteria. By spacing out the load, you limit the amount of bleach and detergent in the system at one time. Also, choose liquid detergent rather than powder. Powdered detergents use fillers or extenders that can clog the soil in the drainfield and permanently damage its absorption ability. Look for a formula with natural ingredients and that is low in surfactants and phosphates.

Did you know many washing machines come with a lint tray, just like dryers do? And, just like dryers, the lint trays need to be emptied and cleaned. Laundry debris and lint can escape into your pipes causing severe blockages. These substantial backups can break down your septic system, so take this tip seriously.

Following these few tips will help avoid costly repairs to the septic system. Do you have questions about these tips or anything regarding the Ri-Industry septic tanks? If so, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

 

Introducing the EP33 Secondary Treatment System

by Ri Industries

EP33 3 tank system

Ri-Industries has launched a new Ri-Treat product called the EP33 Secondary Treatment System. This three-tank system replaces the Ri-Cycle, which came in three models used in commercial settings. The EP33 can still be used for commercial purposes and has capacity for up to 33 people.

Like all our products, the EP33 is guaranteed superior quality and engineer designed, and it comes with the usual stainless steel Lowara pumps and Mac air blowers for reliability and efficiency. It offers building owners and occupants the chance to reclaim their wastewater by recycling and reusing water, and can be used in many commercial settings such as caravan parks, hotels, factories, mining camps, schools and wineries.

What’s particularly exciting is that the EP33, along with the Ri-Treat EP10 which launched last year, is the only SA-manufactured secondary treatment system that’s been tested, certified and approved to the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1546.3:2017) for South Australian conditions. After rigorous testing over the last two years, it has been approved by SA Health and carries the SAI Global ‘5 ticks’ StandardsMark License.

The Ri-Treat EP33 offers several features and benefits:

  • Consisting of three pre-cast 50 MPa reinforced concrete tanks, with no fibreglass or plastic structural components, means that no untreated effluent will escape into the environment.
  • The high-quality biofilter medium, with the added bonus of bristle filters, enhances the purity of the recycled water.
  • All irrigation pumps are Lowara stainless steel and are submersible, quiet, reliable and inexpensive to operate.
  • The Japanese Mac100 air blower offers the most reliable and efficient aeration and has a 2-year warranty.
  • A 15-year warranty on tank construction.
  • Other unique features, such as automatic sludge and skimmer returns.

Please note, our approvals only cover the manufacture and sale of the unit. Therefore, installation and commissioning are the responsibility of the purchaser and all servicing must be carried out by an authorised service agent in accordance with the Installation and Maintenance Manuals.

Our website has more details about the new EP33, including a new brochure and copies of the new Owner’s Manual, along with the Installation and Maintenance Manual. We have also updated our Product Catalogue. All manuals are also available in the PDF manuals section of the website.

 If you have any additional questions about the EP33, please do not hesitate to contact us on 8444 8100.

Personal Hygiene Habits and Cleaning Tips to Keep You Healthy

by Ri Industries

Personal hygiene habits can help keep you healthy or, when done poorly, can make you susceptible to illness. With summer holidays and borders opening, now is a great time to review some extra bathroom tips to help keep you healthy. 

The University of South Australia has recently conducted a study on public restrooms. In short, it highlighted the dangers of open toilet lids, uncovered rubbish bins and defective plumbing drains in spreading infections in public washrooms. To best protect yourself when using a public restroom, the authors of the study recommend you minimise your time in the bathroom, wash and dry your hands properly, and don’t use your mobile phone or eat/drink. With these precautions, your risk to infection and illness should be relatively low. 

That covers public toilets, but what about the bathrooms in your home? We’ve previously shared articles with tips to help clean your bathrooms. 

Our article, Helpful Household Cleaning Tips: Bathroom Edition offer these tips:

  • Keep your toilet clean and fresh by scrubbing the inside bowl with toilet cleaner, white vinegar or bi-carb soda.
  • Remove hard water stains with lemon.
  • Remove shower scum with White Magic Eraser or White Vinegar.

For organic cleaning methods, read our article Natural Ways to Keep Your Bathroom Clean. Three simple tips from that article are:

  • Daily Maintenance
  • Use Natural Cleaners
  • Safe Disposal

If you’re looking for information on natural cleaners, we have an article to help you too! Natural Cleaning Products for Your Home will instruct you how to use lemon, vinegar, and baking soda to clean different areas of your home. 

Be sure to click over to each article for more details on each bullet point. 

To wrap-up, wash your hands well, keep the bathroom clean, close the toilet lid when flushing, cover rubbish bins, and make sure the drains are functioning properly to best help reduce the risk of infection when using the toilet. 

If you’d like information about our residential or commercial products, please click over to our website or call us at 08 8444 8100.

Septic Tank FAQ’s: Septic Tank Questions

by Ri Industries

Speech bubble with Septic Tank FAQ's written in it.

We have compiled a list of septic tank questions which you may find handy. Please have a read and of course, feel free to call us with any additional questions!

  • Are septic tanks environmentally friendly? Yes, septic tanks are environmentally friendly. In fact, the process they use is all  natural. Commercial treatment plants use harsh chemicals to break down waste, but your residential septic tank uses natural bacteria to break down the household waste. 
  • Should I be concerned about disease? No! While it’s true that improperly treated household waste can contribute to, or cause, illness and disease, a properly functioning septic tank can remove this risk.
  • How long will the septic tank last? Concrete tanks, like those built by Ri-Industries, can last up 40 years if it’s properly maintained.
  • Will my septic tank be damaged by flushing things like pills or bleach down the toilet? The process can be disturbed when chemicals are introduced into the system. The process uses bacteria to break down waste. Chemicals, like antibiotics, and those found in some cleaning products, can cause an imbalance in the ecosystem which can weaken or kill the bacteria. When this happens, solid waste will build up more quickly which can lead to problems in the drainfield. 
  • The power’s out! Will the septic tank still work? The pump requires electricity to pump the effluent into the drain field. Without electricity, the tank will fill up. To help minimise problems, when the power is out try to conserve as much water as possible. Take shorter showers, don’t do laundry, and ration the flushing of the toilets. 
  • Is a plastic septic tank better than a concrete septic tank? There are pros and cons of both but concrete tanks typically last longer, they’re more durable, they don’t need as much maintenance and they’re not usually affected by changes to their environment such as tree roots or changing soil conditions.

The questions above are ones that have not been addressed very often in our blogs. For more questions, answers, tips, and facts please check out some of our previous blogs:

What Happens When a Septic Tank is Pumped?

Common Septic Tank Mistakes to Avoid to Keep Your System Running Well

Weather and Septic Tanks – What You Need to Know

Toilet Paper – Which is Best for Septic Systems

To see all of our blogs, including more on septic tanks, please click here.