Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Sep 02, 2011 11:48 am Our builder has put a Biosystem 2000 wasterwater recycling system in our costings instead of the standard septic and leach drains. This system requires a 150sqm irrigation area which takes up a big chunk of our building envelope and I'm trying to figure out what we are able to do on this irrigation area, eg can we plant lawn, plants, let kids, dogs etc run around on it??? I have also been told that these systems require quarterly maintenance checks which has a fee and that they do have a slight smell. Does anyone have any experience with these types of systems (I think they are referred to as ATUs and the Biosystem 2000 is just one brand of them). Thanks Our custom Gemmill Home in Bedfordale WA Build thread:https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53788 Timeline on page 1 Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 2Sep 02, 2011 4:29 pm I have visited a house which uses a Biosystem 2000. There was no smell. I think this will always be the case if correctly maintained. While visiting the Dowerin Field day last week we came across Bio West (http://www.biowest.com.au/) They say you can use the water to irrigate your gardens and lawns. Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 3Sep 02, 2011 5:32 pm We're putting in a Krystal Kleer Advanced HSTP (home sewage treatment system) as our Coucil don't allow septic anymore. We're grassing the disposal area with gardens around the outside as we're on 1000 sqm so we need to use that area if we can. From all the research we've done there is no smell as the water is highly treated. Though I can give you a better idea in a couple of months after handover. Sent from my mobile device ... please excuse the typing missed cakes. ~ trying to build our dream home by the sea ~ Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 4Sep 02, 2011 11:39 pm Thanks for your replys Our custom Gemmill Home in Bedfordale WA Build thread:https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53788 Timeline on page 1 Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 5Sep 03, 2011 7:49 am Friend had one of these on his property in Manum SA There is a slight smell, but not overly bad. He used o water an area of lawn with the stuff and it used to grow like crazy !!!! His kids used to play on it initially but he soon stopped that as every time they scraped a knee on the grass the wound would always get infected. Once he stopped using the septic water on the grass the infections stopped. It also used to cost him $145 every 1/4 to have the system checked by the experts and that cost was from 15 years ago. Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 6Sep 03, 2011 10:19 am Thanks eyspy The manufacturers of these systems claim that the treated water can be used to irrigate gardens etc and that it is safe but the more research I do the more I think that this is a marketing ploy. I contacted our shire to make sure we are able to use the conventional septic system and the man I spoke to basically told me that the ATUs were a waste of money and strongly suggested that we stick to the standard septic and leach drains. He forwarded me some fact sheets from the Department of Health: "Therefore ATU effluent: - is unsuitable for human contact or consumption - must only be irrigated onto a dedicated irrigation area - must not be surface irrigated in areas such as lawns or areas used for recreational purposes - is unsuitable for irrigation onto vegetable gardens or food crops" and "Irrigation areas must: - have warning signs displayed advertising that effluent is being used and is not suitable for human contact or consumption - achieve minimum setbacks from certain features such as buildings, boundaries and paved areas, to avoid human exposure to effluent - not be altered or reduced in size without approval - be looked after so that irrigation lines are accessible for maintenance - be planted out with salt and nutrient resistant plants to avoid puddling or run off of effluent - not be subject to human or animal traffic" I have to admit that the above worries me and I'm not sure why the manufactures make claims that are inconsistent with Health Dept guidelines The irrigation areas not exactly small either (in our case it is 150sqm) and although we are on a large block (4400 sqm) this still takes up a fair bit of the 1300 sqm building envelope as shown below (it is the rectanglish area at the bottom left cnr) Like ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Our custom Gemmill Home in Bedfordale WA Build thread:https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53788 Timeline on page 1 Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 7Sep 03, 2011 11:40 am soakedblonde .....but the more research I do the more I think that this is a marketing ploy..... I have to admit that the above worries me and I'm not sure why the manufactures make claims that are inconsistent with Health Dept guidelines You hit the nail on the head. It's all about marketing and selling their service. If they had big banners saying it will cost you $800 a year to maintain and your kids can't play on the areas watered with it, I am sure they would be out of business quick smart. Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 8Sep 03, 2011 2:16 pm I am in Vic,council allows conventional septic.Health inspector told me same marketing ploy,his words why would you have a system that cost[$300] a year old type need pumpout maybe 5-10 years.We had old system never trouble.$330 just before we sold May 2011 had not been pumped for 8 years Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 9Sep 05, 2011 3:36 pm I read a book last year about a guy who turned his inner Melbourne house into a sustainable house in the 90's. He has a similar system to the ATU/BIO West installed and showed the water tests. The system he installed, like the BIO West one used a UV filter. For 11 of the 12 months he showed tests his water was better then what Melbourne water could supply from their dams. Having said that, I plan on using an ATU or a BIO West System or what ever else I find when I do some more research. I will irrigate my fruit trees but would not use the water on root vegetables. Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 10Jun 17, 2014 5:18 pm This won't be over any help anymore to you soakedblonde but for anybody else who stumbles across this you'll find that the 150m2 irrigation area for these systems can be either above ground spray or below ground drip irrigation. The drip irrigation can have lawn over the top and can be used as a trafficable area to humans and animals as it is well underground, obviously the spray irrigation is a non trafficable area. I did extensive research on these systems for my parents as they now have a Biosysyem 2000 at their property in WA and I know they only pay $85 per quarter for the servicing of it. They have a drip system underneath their lawn which their dogs run around on. As far as I know the drip line is well underneath the grass so they haven't had any problems with the waste water. It doesn't smell either. At the end of the day it is recycled number ones and twos so of course you will not be able to reuse the water onto vegetable gardens (I certainly wouldn't want too) but it can be used to irrigate a garden bed area. I was told that a lot of companies do peddle it as a garden reticulation system but Biosystems were up front with me and said as my parents will be the only ones in the house they may not use enough water to solely keep the lawn alive and may need some additional watering in the hot summer months. Hope this helps anymore else researching these systems. Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 12Jun 18, 2014 10:48 am Advanced Waste Treatment plants are superior to standard septic, because the effluent has a further stage of treatment by putting it through a chemical stage (chlorine). The effluent is somewhat cleaner. There would be less smell (if any) because AWT's use an aeration pump that helps break down the effluent quicker. The effluent output area (land application area) is a no go zone, same as any septic system. Many councils require AWT's to be services by industry personnel, not the homeowner. In 2011, this was possible for $60/Qtr. If you get a sand based AWT, this need is removed. So from a cost point, get a sand based AWT you can service yourself. Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 13Jun 18, 2014 11:34 am Each state has different regulations for ATU's and each manufacturer of ATU's in each state has different approvals so the best thing to do is speak with the local council or dep of health in the relevant state otherwise you'll get the wrong information that's irrelevant for your state/council. In WA it is not possible for the home owner to service the ATU, it must be serviced by an authorised service person. There is also no sand based Aerobic Treatment Unit in WA that doesn't require servicing. All ATU's in WA have sand for the disposal area whether it be sub-soil or surface irrigation. Re: Need info on Biosystem 2000 (Septic alternative) 14Jun 18, 2014 3:05 pm There's also the worm farm treatment plants like what I've just installed on my new build. Mine uses zero electricity, as it gravity feeds down in to the transpiration pits. I can also throw food scraps in the top of it too. Servicing ? they come out after 6 months to ensure all is working 100%, then they suggest every 2 years after that. Owner Building at Jimboomba Woods in Logan City Qld. Blog : http://bandlnewhomebuild.blogspot.com H1 thread : viewtopic.php?f=38&t=68283 . Might cheaper to changer your idea of what makes a home, have you considered building a porch? 2 51794 Thank you so much for the effort. We will use it to talk with builder. We also had idea of building duplex instead and seeking suggest ions. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=106744 11 13830 Hello It is good to have a planned bathroom reno to suit your budget and design, living for 10 years I think you need a bathtub 4 10371 |