Where no wastewater connection is available, such as in many rural communities, you will need an on-site wastewater system. There are three main types of on-site wastewater systems used in the Bay of Plenty.
The type of on-site wastewater system required will depend on the property, including soil type, slope, groundwater levels, available land area, proximity to waterways, and whether the site is located in a sensitive catchment. In some cases, a septic tank system may be suitable. In other cases, an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS), may be required to achieve a higher level of wastewater treatment before discharge to land.
You don’t need resource consent if your on-site wastewater system is a permitted activity in the rules set out in the On-site Effluent Treatment Regional Plan. Rules vary depending on your system and location.
If your system doesn’t meet the rules, you’ll need to apply for resource consent.
If you are building a new home that will use an on-site system, it will need to be approved as part of the building consent process.
A septic tank is an underground system that:
Treated wastewater is then discharged into the soil through a soakage bed and soakage trenches. Installing an outlet filter is recommended. This helps prevent solids entering the soakage area and should be cleaned during pump-outs.
Over time, sludge and scum build up, so regular maintenance is needed to keep the system operating correctly.
An AWTS provides a higher level of treatment by introducing air to support biological processes that break down wastewater before it is discharged to land.
An AWTS may be required where a standard septic tank system is not suitable, or where a higher level of treatment is needed to meet the rules. A Bay of Plenty Regional Council-approved OSET designer will be able to assess the site and walk you through the requirements and wastewater treatment options available for consideration.
Only Bay of Plenty Regional Council-approved AWTS units can be installed in this region. These systems must be regularly serviced by a suitably qualified technician, usually every 6 to 12 months, depending on the system and manufacturer’s requirements. These systems require electricity and ongoing maintenance.
If you are considering an AWTS (rather than a septic tank), it’s important to understand the full range of costs, requirements, and responsibilities.
If you are located in the Rotorua Lakes catchment
Within the Rotorua Lakes catchment, additional treatment is required to reduce nitrogen entering sensitive waterways.
In these areas, an aerated wastewater treatment system with nutrient-reducing capability must be used, called an Aerated wastewater treatment system with Nitrogen reduction (or AWTS + NR). These systems provide enhanced treatment before wastewater is discharged to land and must be serviced and maintained in the same way as standard AWTS units.
AWTS Bay of Plenty (including Rotorua)
In some cases, an aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS) may be required.
These secondary treatment systems can be installed anywhere in the Bay of Plenty region without resource consent, subject to requirements outlined in rule 13 of the On-Site Effluent Treatment Plan.
|
Manufacturer |
Model |
Type of Treatment |
Comment |
|
Hynds |
Advanced Lifestyle (now Lifestyle Ultimate) |
SAF |
Max 1800 l/d |
|
Innoflow |
Advantex AX 20 Mode 3 |
RTF |
Max 2000 l/d |
|
Ozzi Kleen |
RPA 10A+ |
|
Tested at 1500 litres per day |
|
TechTreat |
CP2 TXT |
SAF/RTF |
Max 2000 l/d |
|
Waterflow NZ Ltd |
Econo-Treat VBB C-2200-2 |
Submerged Fixed Film |
Max 2200 l/d |
AWTS Bay of Plenty (excluding Rotorua catchment)
These secondary treatment systems can be installed anywhere in the Bay of Plenty Region with the exception of properties within the Rotorua lakes’ catchments without resource consent, subject to requirements are outlined in rule 12 of the On-Site Effluent Treatment Plan.
|
Manufacturer |
Model |
Type of Treatment |
Comment |
|
Austin Bluewater |
AB2K (ABS2000) |
SAF |
Max 1600 l/d |
|
Biolytix |
BioPod |
Vermiculture +TF |
Max 1600 l/d |
|
Biolytix |
MultiPod |
Vermiculture +TF |
Max 2000 l/d |
|
Devan Plastics |
Integra S-15 |
SAF |
Max 1500 l/d |
|
Duracrete |
CleanStream TXR-1 |
Recirculating Textile Filter |
Max 1200 l/d |
|
Ecocycle |
Fusion |
RTF |
Max 2000 l/d |
|
Ecological Technologies Ltd |
Biorock -S series (Ecorock -2000) |
Packed Bed |
Max 1500 l/d |
| Environment Technology |
AES-38 |
Passive Bed |
Tested at 1000 litres per day |
|
Everhard |
AquaNova (10EP) |
SAF |
Max 2000 l/d |
|
Findlater |
PA 5 x 5 (A2000) |
SAF |
Max 2000 l/d |
| FujiClean |
ACE NZ1500 |
Packed Bed |
Max 1500 l/d |
|
Hydrozone Environmental |
PureFlow |
RTF |
Max 1400 l/d |
|
Hynds |
Lifestyle 2 (Lifestyle Advance) |
SAF |
Tested at 1000 l/d |
|
Hynds Eloy |
Oxyfix |
Packed Bed |
Max 1800 l/d |
| Humes | Oasis Clearwater | Oasis Clearwater Series 2000I | SAF | Max 1600 l/d |
|
Innoflow |
Enviro‑Aire |
RTF |
Max 2000 l/d |
| Ozzi Kleen |
RP10S |
|
Tested at 1500 litres per day |
|
Reflection |
Textile 5000 |
RTF |
Max 2000 l/d |
|
RX Plastics |
Airtech 9000 |
SAF |
Max 2000 l/d |
| Taylex |
Poly ABSNR 1350 |
|
Tested at 1350 litres per day |
| Taylex |
Poly ABSNR 2000 |
|
Tested at 2000 litres per day |
|
Wormsmart NZ |
Wormsmart Plus |
Vermiculture +TF |
Max 1800 l/d |
It is recommended that the running costs and maintenance costs are carefully considered when selecting treatment system, as these can vary widely.
