EnviroTas Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

What is an AWTS? What is an STS?

An Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS) or Secondary Treatment System (STS) takes household waste from kitchen and laundry sinks, toilets, basins, showers and baths. The system’s purpose is to treat the wastewater and then distribute the treated wastewater on site to the land-application area.

Why do I need a Wastewater Treatment System?

If your property is not connected to the sewer system you will need a Wastewater Treatment System on your property. The type of system you require will be determined by a Wastewater Engineer at the planning stage of your property.

Household wastewater contains harmful pathogens, chemicals and bacteria that can cause disease if not treated appropriately. Using a wastewater treatment system removes these contaminants and ensures that only clean water returns to the environment. 

What is the difference between Septic Tank and Wastewater Treatment System?

Septic systems have been in operation for decades and have changed very little over the years. Septic systems take household wastewater into a tank in which solid waste is allowed to settle to be digested by beneficial bacteria. Effluent from septic systems can only be discharged below ground and is still classified as a contaminant.

An AWTS or STS uses both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to treat the wastewater to a quality that is safe to be used for irrigation on lawns and gardens

How often does my system need servicing?

Most wastewater treatment systems will require a service every quarter, the EnviroTas-AS is accredited for six-monthly servicing.  Scheduled servicing is a requirement of system accreditation and a condition of your plumbing permit.

Do I need to get my Wastewater Treatment System serviced even when I'm not living on the property?

Yes. Council regulations require wastewater treatment systems to be regularly serviced and maintained even if there is no one living on the property. 

Can I turn my Wastewater Treatment System off to save power?

No, it is not recommended to turn off your system ever. Without power, the necessary bacteria in your system will begin to die within 8-10 hours and will continue to die off the longer they are without aeration. It will be very difficult to re-establish a healthy balance of bacteria when you turn the system back on.

The average daily running cost of most systems is very low. The annual usage of electricity for an EnviroTas-AS is similar to that of an average household refrigerator.

Can I cover the top of my Wastewater Treatment System?

No, it is important that your Wastewater Treatment System is always easily and safely accessible for scheduled services and any maintenance required.

How does a power outage affect my Treatment System?

Your system should be fine without power for 1-2 days. The bacteria will start to die after 8-10 hours but will rapidly grow again if power is restored quickly. An EnviroTas-AS system has a large volume capacity so is unlikely to overflow if left without power for up to 48 hours. 

Can I use an in-sink garbage disposal unit?

No, it is not recommended. Food scraps will put additional strain on your system and introduce extra levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. 

What cleaning products can I use in my wastewater treatment system?

As a rule of thumb, liquid products are more likely to be safe for your system than powder or tablet form. Avoid anything antibacterial and look for products that are phosphate-free or low-phosphate. 

Use products that do not contain bleach, chlorine or strong antibacterial agents. Most products marked biodegradable/green etc. are safe for use in your EnviroTas-AS, however some plant-based cleaners are powerful antibiotics and will cause your system not to work effectively.

Moderation is key with all cleaning products. Your EnviroTas-AS will cope with a small amount of incorrect products but to keep everything working as required please follow our suggestions. 

For more information on cleaning products visit our User Manual

I have a 'high water' alarm on my system, what do I need to do?

Probable cause:

• Power switched off – Check that you still have an active power source to the system.
• Blocked irrigation filter – Check the filter to ensure that it isn’t blocked. Refer to Irrigation Filter Cleaning Procedure.
• Irrigation pipework damage or blockage – Check irrigation lines for any obvious blockages, kinks poorly fitting connections or obvious signs of leakage.
• Blocked dripper or sprinkler heads – Check irrigation area to ensure drippers/sprinklers are functioning normally. Clean and repair as required.
• Irrigation pump failure.

If the problem cannot be resolved easily, call EnviroTas for assistance.

I have a 'low air' alarm on my system, what do I need to do?

• A fault with the air blower - Listen at the electrical box to confirm if the air blower is working. If you cannot hear it running, contact EnviroTas to resolve.
• Air pipe has disconnected - You may be able to reattach this yourself, if unsure please contact EnviroTas to resolve.

My drains are backing up, my household fittings aren't draining away.

Please check the inlet to your Wastewater Treatment System for blockages. If there is no blockage at the inlet, there is likely a blockage in your sewage drainage pipework. This is most likely a problem for your plumber but if in doubt call EnviroTas.

There is a persistent odour around my Wastewater Treatment System.

Probable causes:

• Air blower failure (indicated by 'Low Air' alarm on your internal alarm panel) - If Low Air alarm is on, press the mute button on your alarm panel and call EnviroTas to resolve. If alarm is not lit up, check the electrical box to confirm that the air blower is running. If unable to hear the blower running call EnviroTas to resolve.
• Chemical imbalance inside your system - Check chemical usage for system compatibility, refer to the User Manual under Product Use Guide. Contact EnviroTas for assistance if unable to identify incompatible product.
• Excessive water usage (referred to as shock-loading) - This is a temporary problem and will resolve itself as the system catches up. Your system will work best if it is not subjected to large amounts of water going through in a short space of time. Eg try to space your washing machine loads rather than doing them one after another.
• Vent blockage - If this is suspected, call EnviroTas to resolve. Please note all plumbing requirements must be carried out by a licensed plumber.

There is an odour coming up from the drains inside the house.

This is most likely a loss of a water seal in your fittings or an incorrectly constructed Educt Vent and is unlikely to be a problem with your Wastewater Treatment System. Please refer to your local plumber for corrective measures. 

Tripping of a circuit breaker in fuse/meter box.

Probable causes:

• Irrigation pump failure.
• Air blower failure
• Power supply damage/failure (See point below)

If the problem is not easily resolved, press the mute button on your alarm panel and call EnviroTas.

Circuit Breaker Reset

A power surge, power cut or voltage drop may trip the circuit breaker and trigger the warning system of your Wastewater Treatment System. This is characteristic to protect the equipment within the system. If the alarm does not clear itself within 12 hours, it may be necessary to reset the tripped circuit breaker.

To do this, open your switchboard and look for the circuit breaker marked 'EnviroTas' or similar. If it is in the 'off' position, toggle the switch to 'on'. The blower will immediately restart and the system will function normally. The alarm may take up to 12 hours to clear. If the circuit breaker will not stay in the 'on' position, please contact EnviroTas to resolve.

What does poor biological condition mean in my wastewater treatment system report?

Poor biological condition of your AWTS or STS is determined by 2 forms of sample testing – a PH test and dissolved Oxygen testing. Poor biological condition is usually caused by:

• Something incompatible with the system being put down the drains of the house – Chemicals, Bleaches, large quantities of oils etc. See User Manual for a Product Use Guide.
• A requirement for desludge of the system – this will be noted in your service report and EnviroTas will contact you to discuss the process.
• Shock loading of the system. This is when a large quantity of waste being introduced to the system over a short period of time exceeds its design. This is best remedied by staggering large quantities of water usage over a longer period, eg baths, long showers, clothes washing.