Septic tanks face council clean-up inspections

Owners of an estimated 9000 private septic tanks throughout the Far North will need to prove their systems work and are not a danger to health from next July.

The Far North District Council plans to introduce a bylaw to certify all private tanks and associated disposal systems after surveys showed many didn't work properly or were inadequately maintained.

The new certification process is aimed at guarding against environmental and public health risks.

It is estimated there are about 9000 private systems in use throughout the Far North in small communities and rural areas not connected to one of the council's 17 reticulated sewerage schemes.

Run-off from failing or inadequate systems has the potential to leak into rivers, streams and coastal estuaries used by people for recreation, swimming, shellfish gathering and sometimes for drinking water.

Septic tanks, and associated soakage field failure, are suspected by Northland public health officials in recent years of polluting shellfish in parts of the Bay of Islands and creating public health risks in Moerewa.

Health officials have told the council that failing septic tanks pose a risk of illness for people on a property, their neighbours and visitors.

Under the proposed bylaw and its certification process, property owners must have their systems inspected and cleaned every three years by contractors. Owners will be liable for the cost of any maintenance or repairs needed to bring their systems up to scratch before a compliance certificate is issued.

Contractors will have to ensure tanks and drainage or soakage fields are working, and establish when tanks were last cleaned.

Routine cleaning costs vary from $170 to $230, and are normally undertaken at present every three to five years, depending on use.

Property owners who fail to comply with the certifying process will have the job done for them by the council, which will then bill the owner for the costs involved.

Enforcement action could also be taken under health or building law.

Administration of the new process is to be funded from the existing $15 a year "public good" sewage charge.