SEPTIC TANKS, SOAK AWAYS AND CONSERVANCY TANKS IN NOORDHOEK
September 2024, v8
Source: http://www.instagram.com/p/B86MCarFfsT/
IMPORTANT UPDATE (JULY 2024):
Note: A septic tank that is operated properly should not require frequent cleaning. If this is the case residents are urged to have their system checked by a qualified plumber
NRPA urges owners of septic and conservancy tanks to check the pumped volume on the slip of the honeysucker. In the event that the amount is significantly higher than what you should expect (based on the volume of your system x fee) we advise you to sign the slip “under protest”, take a picture of the slip and send an email with your complaint to the ward councillor (patricia.francke@capetown.gov.za) with a copy to the NRPA (civic@nrpa.org.za). Mention the size of your system and copy the picture of the slip. Landlords should inform their tenants!
NRPA also advises all owners of conservancy tanks to email their grievances to the ward councillor (patricia.francke@capetown.gov.za) with a copy to the NRPA (civic@nrpa.org.za).
As NRPA we are noticing quite a few residents struggling with their Septic and Conservancy Tank systems – requesting repetitive and frequent visit of the Council “honeysucker”. As these are systems that residents are maybe not that familiar with, we would like to share some knowledge on the topic. For more detailed information on the functioning and design of these systems please read the document in the footnotes.
Who has a septic/conservancy tank in Noordhoek?
All residents living below Noordhoek Main Road (as well as some living above it) who are not connected to the municipal (water borne) sewage system have a septic tank and soak away. Some residents that have done recent construction may have put in a “conservation tank” – essentially a holding tank without any outlet.
Your building plans will indicate what kind of a system you have and where it is located.
Figure 1 The area in Noordhoek that is not connected
to the Municipal waterborne sewage system is marked in brown.
What is a septic tank system?
As shown in the figure above the septic tank system is made up of 2 components:
What is a conservancy tank?
When Council deems that a septic tank is not permitted, but water borne sewage is not available, conservancy tanks will have been installed. These are essentially storage tanks without an outlet, which means they must be emptied regularly.
Cases where CoCT will mandate conservancy tanks:
What are common problems with septic tank systems:
- prevent chemicals entering the septic tank.
- use bio-friendly cleaning products. Check the ingredients in the products you use – especially on your toilet cleaning and household disinfectant products. You can get away with little amounts of bleach as long as the rest of your system is in good health
- add septic tank bio-culture to the tank from time to time. In the good old days a new septic tank culture was started with an animal carcass thrown in before closing up
Solution:
- install a grease trap before the septic tank and clean it regularly
- inspect your septic tank from time to time to remove insoluble matter
- no grease trap? Wipe down all greasy pots, plates and pans with paper towel to remove all grease before washing, and throw into the bin (not the recycling!)
- do not flush anything down the toilet that does not dissolve in water
- don’t use fancy 3 ply toilet paper that does not dissolve
- 3. You pamper your bacteria and don’t clog the system with grease and insoluble matter, but the system still blocks up. This could be due to a variety of reasons:
- tree roots have found their way into your system and are blocking piping
- your soak away could have collapsed (this should be visible above ground)
- you are using an excessive amount of water that the soak away cannot handle. This can also happen if rain or ground water somehow enters the soak away
- the piping between house – septic tank – soak away have not been installed properly
How frequently do I need to empty my septic tank?
There are essentially 2 reasons why you would want to empty your septic tank:
There are residents who have not touched their septic tanks in decades, proving that a good system does not require much maintenance. There is, however, always some sludge build-upin the compartments, so in the end all septic systems need to be cleaned out at some point.
Generally, if you are faced with a sudden overflow (not a gradual decrease in capacity) this means there is a blockage of some kind. Sucking the septic tank empty will not solve the root cause of your problem and more troubleshooting must be done with a plumber.
If you are faced with repetitive overflows then this generally means that your soak away is no longer functioning properly. It will need to be opened and inspected by a plumber.
What are common problems with conservancy tanks:
Conservancy tanks are more simple. If they overflow (earlier than you expected) there are only 3 possible reasons:
How frequently do I need to empty my conservancy tank?
If you have a conservation tank this does not treat your sewage. It must regularly be cleaned.CoCT no longer cleans conservancy tanks free of charge (used to be 6 times per year for free). You can apply using the instructions on the last page.
Once you know the size of your tank it is possible to estimate when it will be full by monitoring your water consumption. Make sure to request a tank cleaning at least 1 week before it will be full. Instructions below.
What to keep in mind in the event of a new build:
You can apply to have your septic or conservancy tank cleaned by CoCT through their portal https://eservices1.capetown.gov.za/coct/wapl/zsreq_app/index.html?
Choose “Create service request”,
then Group: “Sewer”
and Service: “Empty Septic Tank”.
Under Describe Request indicate:
Make sure that you correctly state your address and mobile phone number!
After finalising the service request you will be sent a service request number, which you must use if you are following up. You can call the depot on the following numbers after logging a request and only if CoCT has not reached out to you within 24 hours!
It is best to call in the morning before trucks are planned in. If repetitive follow up does not work then you may reach out to civic@nrpa.org.za stating your case and service request number.
Do NOT overstate the urgency of your problem or abuse the contacts above as it will result in problems for others in future!
If you do not want to log a request online you can also use the CoCT call centre 0860 103 089, SMS 31373, Whatsapp: 060 018 1505 or Email: water@capetown.gov.za to log a request.
You are NO LONGER entitled to free tank cleanings by CoCT (used to be 6 times per year for free until July 1st 2023). The fee for cleaning for the period 1/7/23 – 30/6/24 is R279.20 (incl VAT) per 1000 litres.
Unfortunately, CoCT is sometimes slow to react, and in the event of a system backup residents have resorted to paying for companies to come and empty their septic tanks for a fee.
If I have a septic tank system then why do I still see a sewage levy on my municipal rates bill?
CoCT should not be charging you a sewage levy. If this is the case, you should lodge a complaint through the ward councillor
SEPTIC TANKS, SOAK AWAYS AND CONSERVANCY TANKS IN NOORDHOEK
November 2023, v7
Source: http://www.instagram.com/p/B86MCarFfsT/
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
- As posted by NRPA in June 2023, it is unfortunately correct that CoCT no longer provides 6 free tank cleanings a year since 1/7/2023. They now charge R279.20 (incl VAT) per 1000 litres.
- A normal 4 person household with a septic tank (of 2000 litres) should now expect to pay R500-600 incl VAT for a cleaning.
Note: A septic tank that is operated properly should not require frequent cleaning. If this is the case residents are urged to have their system checked by a qualified plumber. - A household with a 5000 litre conservancy tank should expect to pay R1400 incl VAT for a cleaning.
- In comparison, residents connected to Waterborne sewage pay approximately R800 incl VAT per year based on 6000 litre monthly water consumption.
NRPA has protested to CoCT about this change, directly as well as through the @Far South Peninsula Community Forum. Not only are owners of conservancy tanks being treated unfairly (forced to invest in an expensive system + very high annual cleaning cost), but the execution of the new rules is grossly inadequate (residents reporting being charged R5000 for cleaning a septic tank). NRPA believes that a separate accommodation should be reached for conservancy tank owners that brings annual cleaning charges in line with households connected to waterborne sewage.
NRPA urges owners of septic and conservancy tanks to check the pumped volume on the slip of the honeysucker. In the event that the amount is significantly higher than what you should expect (based on the volume of your system x fee) we advise you to sign the slip “under protest”, take a picture of the slip and send an email with your complaint to the ward councillor (patricia.francke@capetown.gov.za) with a copy to the NRPA (civic@nrpa.org.za). Mention the size of your system and copy the picture of the slip. Landlords should inform their tenants!
NRPA also advises all owners of conservancy tanks to email their grievances to the ward councillor (patricia.francke@capetown.gov.za) with a copy to the NRPA (civic@nrpa.org.za).
As NRPA we are noticing quite a few residents struggling with their Septic and Conservancy Tank systems – requesting repetitive and frequent visits of the Council “honeysucker”. As these are systems that residents may not be familiar with, we would like to share some knowledge on the topic. For more detailed information on the functioning and design of these systems please read the document in the footnotes[1].
Who has a septic/conservancy tank in Noordhoek?
All residents living below Noordhoek Main Road (as well as some living above it) who are not connected to the municipal (waterborne) sewage system have a septic tank and soak away. Some residents that have done recent construction may have put in a “conservation tank” – essentially a holding tank without any outlet.
Your building plans will indicate what kind of a system you have and where it is located.
Figure 1 The area in Noordhoek that is not connected to the Municipal waterborne sewage system is marked in brown.
Click to view larger image.
What is a septic tank system?
As shown in the figure above the septic tank system is made up of 2 components:
- The septic tank: this is where the raw sewage gets broken down by bacteria. The tank has 2 compartments, this is to prevent any solids going to the soak away. The size of the septic tank is calculated based on the expected number of users in the household.
- The soak away: this is essentially a large basin without a bottom, filled with rocks and rubble. The liquid coming out of the septic tanks “soaks away” into the ground. Some people have a French drain instead. This can be an underground pipe with holes in it for the effluent to drain away or a shallow underground ditch filled with gravel/rubble.
.
What is a conservancy tank?
When Council deems that a septic tank is not permitted, but water-borne sewage is not available, conservancy tanks will have to be installed. These are essentially storage tanks without an outlet, which means they must be emptied regularly.
Cases where CoCT will mandate conservancy tanks:
- If the tank is within 50 meters of a stream.
- If the tank is within 3 meters of a common boundary.
- If the soil is not able to absorb the overflow of a soak-away.
What are common problems with septic tank systems:
- Bacteria in the septic tank die off and there is therefore no treatment of the raw sewage leading to blockage in the soak away and consequently backup in the system. This can happen if excessive and aggressive (cleaning) chemicals are fed into the tank.
Solution:- prevent chemicals entering the septic tank.
- use bio-friendly cleaning products. Check the ingredients in the products you use – especially on your toilet cleaning and household disinfectant products. You can get away with little amounts of bleach as long as the rest of your system is in good health.
- add septic tank bio-culture to the tank from time to time. In the good old days a new septic tank culture was started with an animal carcass thrown in before closing up.
- The septic tank and/or soak away gets blocked. Common causes: insoluble matter flushed down the toilet (plastic, sanitary pads); excessive toilet paper usage, grease buildup.
Solution:
- install a grease trap before the septic tank and clean it regularly
- inspect your septic tank from time to time to remove insoluble matter
- no grease trap? Wipe down all greasy pots, plates and pans with paper towel to remove all grease before washing, and throw into the bin (not the recycling!)
- do not flush anything down the toilet that does not dissolve in water
- don’t use fancy 3 ply toilet paper that does not dissolve
- You pamper your bacteria and don’t clog the system with grease and insoluble matter, but the system still blocks up. This could be due to a variety of reasons:
- tree roots have found their way into your system and are blocking piping
- your soak away could have collapsed (this should be visible above ground)
- you are using an excessive amount of water that the soak-away cannot handle. This can also happen if rain or groundwater somehow enters the soak-away
- the piping between house – septic tank – soak away has not been installed properly
How frequently do I need to empty my septic tank?
There are essentially 2 reasons why you would want to empty your septic tank:
- Total blockage: the tank or soak away is overflowing (noticed by backup in toilet bowl, overflowing gulley, soggy patch in the garden)
- Partial blockage: it takes a long time for toilet bowls to empty
There are residents who have not touched their septic tanks in decades, proving that a good system does not require much maintenance. There is, however, always some sludge build-up in the compartments, so in the end, all septic systems need to be cleaned out at some point.
Generally, if you are faced with a sudden overflow (not a gradual decrease in capacity) this means there is a blockage of some kind. Sucking the septic tank empty will not solve the root cause of your problem and more troubleshooting must be done with a plumber.
If you are faced with repetitive overflows then this generally means that your soak-away is no longer functioning properly. It will need to be opened and inspected by a plumber.
What are common problems with conservancy tanks:
Conservancy tanks are more simple. If they overflow (earlier than you expected) there are only 3 possible reasons:
- They are full because you have consumed more water than you thought you had
- There is a blockage in the piping going to the tank (leakage not from tank but system backup)
- Rainwater is draining to the tank or groundwater is seeping into it (could be a seasonal problem)
How frequently do I need to empty my conservancy tank?
If you have a conservation tank this does not treat your sewage. It must regularly be cleaned. CoCT no longer cleans conservancy tanks free of charge (used to be 6 times per year for free). You can apply using the instructions on the last page.
Once you know the size of your tank it is possible to estimate when it will be full by monitoring your water consumption. Make sure to request a tank cleaning at least 1 week before it will be full. Instructions below.
What to keep in mind in the event of a new build:
- Build the septic/conservancy tank max 30 meters from the place that the honeysucker can access. If your tank is further away the truck will not have enough capacity to suck your tank empty and CoCT will resort to sourcing a larger truck (which will take longer to organize – expect delays!)
- Make sure to install inspection hatches that are accessible when needed. At the very least make sure you know where the hatches are if they are underground. Conservancy tanks must be accessible by design (see document in footnote)
- Consider installing a grease trap – it will save problems with blocking up pipes and soakaways. Only really needed for the kitchen sink
- Draining washing and dishwashing machines requires the capacity of the septic and conservancy tank to be increased, so consider installing a grey water system or a separate soak away because of the detergents being used
- Make sure that rainwater does not enter your septic or conservancy tank
How do I get my system cleaned and do I need to pay for this?
You can apply to have your septic or conservancy tank cleaned by CoCT through their portal https://eservices1.capetown.gov.za/coct/wapl/zsreq_app/index.html?
Choose “Create service request”,
then Group: “Sewer”
and Service: “Empty Septic Tank”.
Under Describe Request indicate:
- If your tank is OVERFLOWING or not (this determines urgency)
- Septic tank or Conservancy tank
- Size of your tank in liters (approximately)
- Distance to the tank from where the truck can get
Make sure that you correctly state your address and mobile phone number!
After finalising the service request you will be sent a service request number, which you must use if you are following up. You can call the depot on the following numbers after logging a request and only if CoCT has not reached out to you within 24 hours!
- Chad Snell 021-4006608
- Owen Daniels 021-4445055
It is best to call in the morning before trucks are planned in. If repetitive follow-up does not work then you may reach out to civic@nrpa.org.za stating your case and service request number.
Do NOT overstate the urgency of your problem or abuse the contacts above as it will result in problems for others in future!
If you do not want to log a request online you can also use the CoCT call centre 0860 103 089, SMS 31373, Whatsapp: 060 018 1505 or Email: water@capetown.gov.za to log a request.
You are NO LONGER entitled to free tank cleanings by CoCT (used to be 6 times per year for free until July 1st 2023). The fee for cleaning for the period 1/7/23 – 30/6/24 is R279.20 (incl VAT) per 1000 litres.
Unfortunately, CoCT is sometimes slow to react, and in the event of a system backup residents have resorted to paying for companies to come and empty their septic tanks for a fee.
If I have a septic tank system then why do I still see a sewage levy on my municipal rates bill?
CoCT should not be charging you a sewage levy. If this is the case, you should lodge a complaint through the ward councillor
[1] http://amanzimatters.co.za/amanzi/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Specifications-Septic-Tanks-Soakaways-and-Conservancy-Tanks_new.pdf
July 2023, v6
As NRPA we are noticing quite a few residents struggling with their Septic and Conservancy Tank systems – requesting repetitive and frequent visit of the Council “honeysucker”. As these are systems that residents are maybe not that familiar with, we would like to share some knowledge on the topic. For more detailed information on the functioning and design of these systems please read the document in the footnotes[1].
Who has a septic/conservancy tank in Noordhoek?
All residents living below Noordhoek Main Road (as well as some living above it) who are not connected to the municipal (water borne) sewage system have a septic tank and soak away. Some residents that have done recent construction may have put in a “conservation tank” – essentially a holding tank without any outlet.
Your building plans will indicate what kind of a system you have and where it is located.
What is a septic tank system?
As shown in the figure above the septic tank system is made up of 2 components:
- The septic tank: this is where the raw sewage gets broken down by bacteria. The tank has 2 compartments, this is to prevent any solids going to the soak away. The size of the septic tank is calculated based on the expected number of users in the household
- The soak away: this is essentially a large basin without a bottom, filled with rocks and rubble. The liquid coming out of the septic tanks “soaks away” into the ground. Some people have a French drain instead. This can be an underground pipe with holes in it for the effluent to drain away, or a shallow underground ditch filled with gravel/rubble
What is a conservancy tank?
When Council deems that a septic tank is not permitted, but water borne sewage is not available, conservancy tanks will have been installed. These are essentially storage tanks without an outlet, which means they must be emptied regularly.
Cases where CoCT will mandate conservancy tanks:
- If the tank is within 50 meters of a stream
- If the tank is within 3 meters of a common boundary
- If the soil is not able to absorb the overflow of a soak away
What are common problems with septic tank systems:
- Bacteria in the septic tank die off and there is therefore no treatment of the raw sewage leading to blockage in the soak away and consequently backup in the system. This can happen if excessive and aggressive (cleaning) chemicals are fed into the tank.
Solution:- prevent chemicals entering the septic tank.
- use bio-friendly cleaning products. Check the ingredients in the products you use – especially on your toilet cleaning and household disinfectant products. You can get away with little amounts of bleach as long as the rest of your system is in good health
- add septic tank bio-culture to the tank from time to time. In the good old days a new septic tank culture was started with an animal carcass thrown in before closing up
- The septic tank and/or soak away gets blocked. Common causes: insoluble matter flushed down the toilet (plastic, sanitary pads); excessive toilet paper usage, grease buildup
Solution:
- install a grease trap before the septic tank and clean it regularly
- inspect your septic tank from time to time to remove insoluble matter
- no grease trap? Wipe down all greasy pots, plates and pans with paper towel to remove all grease before washing, and throw into the bin (not the recycling!)
- do not flush anything down the toilet that does not dissolve in water
- don’t use fancy 3 ply toilet paper that does not dissolve
- You pamper your bacteria and don’t clog the system with grease and insoluble matter, but the system still blocks up. This could be due to a variety of reasons:
- tree roots have found their way into your system and are blocking piping
- your soak away could have collapsed (this should be visible above ground)
- you are using an excessive amount of water that the soak away cannot handle. This can also happen if rain or ground water somehow enters the soak away
- the piping between house – septic tank – soak away have not been installed properly
How frequently do I need to empty my septic tank?
There are essentially 2 reasons why you would want to empty your septic tank:
- Total blockage: the tank or soak away is overflowing (noticed by backup in toilet bowl, overflowing gulley, soggy patch in the garden)
- Partial blockage: it takes a long time for toilet bowls to empty
There are residents who have not touched their septic tanks in decades, proving that a good system does not require much maintenance. There is, however, always some sludge build-up in the compartments, so in the end all septic systems need to be cleaned out at some point.
Generally, if you are faced with a sudden overflow (not a gradual decrease in capacity) this means there is a blockage of some kind. Sucking the septic tank empty will not solve the root cause of your problem and more troubleshooting must be done with a plumber.
If you are faced with repetitive overflows then this generally means that your soak away is no longer functioning properly. It will need to be opened and inspected by a plumber.
What are common problems with conservancy tanks:
Conservancy tanks are more simple. If they overflow (earlier than you expected) there are only 3 possible reasons:
- They are full because you have consumed more water than you thought you had
- There is a blockage in the piping going to the tank (leakage not from tank but system backup)
- Rainwater is draining to the tank or groundwater is seeping into it (could be a seasonal problem)
How frequently do I need to empty my conservancy tank?
If you have a conservation tank this does not treat your sewage. It must regularly be cleaned. CoCT no longer cleans conservancy tanks free of charge (used to be 6 times per year for free). You can apply using the instructions on the last page.
Once you know the size of your tank it is possible to estimate when it will be full by monitoring your water consumption. Make sure to request a tank cleaning at least 1 week before it will be full. Instructions below.
What to keep in mind in the event of a new build:
- Build the septic/conservancy tank max 30 meters from the place that the honeysucker can access. If your tank is further away the truck will not have enough capacity to suck your tank empty and CoCT will resort to sourcing a larger truck (which will take longer to organize – expect delays!)
- Make sure to install inspection hatches that are accessible when needed. At the very least make sure you know where the hatches are if they are underground. Conservancy tanks must be accessible by design (see document in footnote on previous page)
- Consider installing a grease trap – it will save problems. Only really needed for the kitchen sink
- Draining washing and dishwashing machines requires the capacity of the septic tank to be increased, or should ideally drain to a separate soak away because of the detergents being used
- Make sure that rainwater does not enter your septic or conservancy tank
How do I get my system cleaned and do I need to pay for this?
You can apply to have your septic or conservancy tank cleaned by CoCT through their portal https://eservices1.capetown.gov.za/coct/wapl/zsreq_app/index.html?
Choose “Create service request”,
then Group: “Sewer”
and Service: “Empty Septic Tank”.
Under Describe Request indicate:
- If your tank is OVERFLOWING or not (this determines urgency)
- Septic tank or Conservancy tank
- Size of your tank in liters (approximately)
- Distance to the tank from where the truck can get
Make sure that you correctly state your address and mobile phone number!
After finalising the service request you will be sent a service request number, which you must use if you are following up. You can call the depot on the following numbers after logging a request and only if CoCT has not reached out to you within 24 hours!
- Terry Shawn 021-4445054
- Owen Daniels 021-4445055
It is best to call in the morning before trucks are planned in. If repetitive follow up does not work then you may reach out to civic@nrpa.org.za stating your case and service request number.
Do NOT overstate the urgency of your problem or abuse the contacts above as it will result in problems for others in future!
If you do not want to log a request online you can also use the CoCT call centre 0860 103 089, SMS 31373, Whatsapp: 060 018 1505 or Email: water@capetown.gov.za to log a request.
You are NO LONGER entitled to free tank cleanings by CoCT (used to be 6 times per year for free until July 1st 2023). The fee for cleaning for the period 1/7/23 – 30/6/24 is R279.20 (incl VAT) per 1000 litres.
Unfortunately, CoCT is sometimes slow to react, and in the event of a system backup residents have resorted to paying for companies to come and empty their septic tanks for a fee.
If I have a septic tank system then why do I still see a sewage levy on my municipal rates bill?
CoCT should not be charging you a sewage levy. If this is the case, you should lodge a complaint through the ward councillor.
This information was collected by the Noordhoek Ratepayers Association (NRPA) with the best intentions. If you find fault or have comments please let us know by emailing civic@nrpa.org.za
Are you a member of NRPA already? If not, please consider spending R300 per year to help us keep Noordhoek Noordhoek. https://nrpa.org.za/about/register/