Five-year cleaning cycle proposed for septic tanks

Residents are being offered a new opportunity to comment on the Far North District Council's requirement to have septic tanks and other onsite wastewater disposal systems inspected and cleaned on a three-year cycle.


This follows public concerns raised over the cost to households of the wastewater disposal bylaw introduced three years ago.


"Letters were sent out recently reminding home-owners their three-year inspection was due with the result a number of people have responded suggesting the requirement is too onerous," Infrastructure and Asset General Manager David Penny says.


"In the light of these concerns, the fact we are now at the end of the first three-year cycle and because the bylaw expires next year (2011), now is an opportune time to review the rules," he says.


While the council is not proposing to drop the requirement totally, it is proposing the inspection and cleaning regime for wastewater systems such as septic tanks be extended to a five-year cycle. The review also proposes changes to the way bio-systems and worm farms are addressed.


"When the bylaw was first introduced there was a great deal of public debate on what was the most appropriate cleaning cycle. The council at that time took a conservative approach. With the advantage of three years' experience there may now be room to extend that period to five years.


"This will lower costs for householders without compromising the original reason for the bylaw which was to reduce the risk of environmental pollution," he says.


The proposal is now open to public comment with submissions closing on 19 March 2010. If changes are adopted, these will come into effect from July this year. Details of the proposed changes can be viewed at Service Centres or on the council's website at www.fndc.govt.nz