The go-to guide to selecting the best wastewater system for your rural and off-grid site

Written by

08 September 2024

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4 min read

Choosing the right wastewater system for rural and off-grid locations can be challenging, but it’s essential for maintaining a hassle-free living experience. This guide explores key considerations, options and expert tips to ensure your wastewater solution is suitable, low-maintenance and integrated into the environment.

When thinking about building a home in remote areas, wastewater management is one of those behind-the-scenes items that rarely gets attention. Suddenly, picking the right on-site wastewater solution becomes a daunting task.

Since off-grid properties can’t tap into municipal sewer networks, they require a system to treat and dispose of wastewater on-site. This involves processing raw wastewater and using a land application system to safely return treated effluent to the environment via the soil.

“An onsite wastewater system is a biological process that uses microbes to treat the sewage, removing pathogenic material so it is safe to return to the environment,” explains Salma Rayan, wastewater Engineer, Innoflow.

Since the treated effluent is absorbed into the soil, it's essential to select a dependable and well-tested wastewater system to prevent any potential harm to both your property and the environment.

Key considerations for on-site wastewater systems

Before selecting a system, it’s essential to engage an on-site wastewater system designer to do a site assessment, which will consider the planned development (i.e how many people will be using the system), the land’s capacity for receiving treated effluent, the sensitivity of the receiving environment, and any regulatory requirements for an on-site wastewater system.

“Once you have a wastewater report outlining the minimum requirements, you can then do some research or engage a relevant supplier to find a suitable system,” Rayan explains. “For off-grid properties, an on-site wastewater system should best service the property’s usage and receiving environment.”

When selecting a wastewater system there are many factors to consider, including:

The size of the house
The number of people the house is designed to have living there
The land available for treated effluent disposal and the volume the soil can receive
The sensitivity of the surrounding environment
Power source
Frequency of system use
Any site constraints
The site owner’s commitment to appropriate use

With so many wastewater systems on the market, it can be challenging to determine which one is right for your property. Quality wastewater systems are built to last 50 to 70 years, and for most people, purchasing an onsite wastewater system is a once-in-a-lifetime investment, so making a sustainable choice is essential.

Rayan recommends asking your on-site wastewater system designer the following questions to ensure the system you choose will meet your requirements and last for a lifetime:

How well does the system cope with intermittent and shock flows?
What is the power consumption and expected sludge pump-out frequency?
How often does the system need to be serviced?
How often will the pumps and parts need to be replaced, and what warranties are provided?
What is the system’s track record, and does it have relevant performance certifications?

Innoflow’s AdvanTex systems are designed specifically for off-grid sites.

AdvanTex secondary treatment systems

Not all on-site wastewater systems are created equal. It’s important to know exactly what you’re getting, how effective it will be, how long it will last and what the running costs will be. Innoflow’s AdvanTex systems are designed specifically for off-grid sites. While the up-front costs are higher than some other systems, the benefits it provides include the ability to cope with variable flows, low power usage (and is compatible with solar-powered sites), very low sludge production and low ongoing servicing requirements. For this reason, many homeowners install this system, knowing the return they get from their initial investment.

“Due to their ability to cope with the specific demands of off-grid sites, AdvanTex systems have been installed on thousands of properties across the country,” shares Rayan. “With low power consumption and solar-power compatibility, the systems are ideal for residential sites. And, as one of the few systems that can cope with fluctuating loads, they offer peace of mind for homeowners hosting large gatherings.”

Installation of AdvanTex systems is relatively simple, even on sloping or remote sites, due to its lightweight structure, durability, and packaging.

“The AdvanTex systems are also scalable. The system consists of pods, and some tankage, with each pod allowing for 2,000 to 1,000,000 litres per day in capacity. These can be added to a new system as required, or retrofitted to existing tanks or systems if you’re renovating,” Rayan explains.

Innoflow is the sole supplier for AdvanTex onsite wastewater systems and has been exclusively supplying and installing them across New Zealand and Australia for many years.

“With this breadth of experience, we can guide homeowners, architects, and design professionals towards a solution that will work best. Plus, as these systems are well-known by councils around the country, it’s really easy to get them consented.”

Learn more about on-site wastewater systems from Innoflow.

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.