Waterflow NZ Naturalflow Series User manual

NaturalFlow Series NF1500 Treatment System
System Specifications & Installation Instructions

NATURALFLOW SERIES NF1500
System Specification & Installation Instructions
See our website: www.naturalflow.co.nz
New Zealand’s Leaders in Eco-Sustainable, Odourless Wastewater and Sewage Systems
Compliance Requirements
All NaturalFlow Treatment Systems meet the requirements of the NZ Building Code G13-VM4.
Section 9 of AS/NZS 1546.1:2008 state that tanks constructed to these Standards will meet the requirements
of the Code for Clauses B1 and B2, structure and durability.
Compliance with Section 9 of AS/NZS 1546.1:2008 and also Clauses G13.3.4 relating to on-site treatment and
disposal systems and G14.3.1 and 14.3.2 relating to the control of foul water as an industrial waste are covered
in the ‘NaturalFlow Compliance Requirements’ document.
Please feel free to ask for a copy of this complete document, if required.
The Treatment Process
The NaturalFlow Series NF1500 Treatment System comprises of a 1.2m diameter WORMORATOR® module
where the wastewater, in order to separate the solids from the liquid, is directed onto a bed of natural
medium, designed to retain maximum solids.
These residual solids are seeded with tiger worms which proceed, as results of long term testing have shown,
to digest them reducing the volume by approximately 95%, leaving only residual vermicasts which are virtually
free of harmful bacteria and other pollutants. The black water (B/W) then flows through a secondary filter
medium, which further treats and aerates the water, reducing the TSS & BOD, and also reducing the particle
size, in the TSS, to less than 1mm. This secondary treatment tray acts as an in-built outlet filter AS/NZS 1546
1:2008 Clause D3.3. and has a minimum life expectancy of 15 years.
It then trickle flows into the Dose Treatment Chamber where it is combined with the grey water (G/W) and
final settlement and filtration takes place.
The grey water, which is separated at its source from the black water, flows into the first chamber of the Dose
Treatment chamber, which retains the bulk of the scum and solids, where it is combined with the B/W, then
through the aerating matrix filter resulting in a treatment level that is well above the Advanced Primary
criteria. This treatment chamber has a buffering capacity of 1000ltrs to contain any surge flows.
It is then disposed of, into the receiving environment, in accordance with AS/NZS 1547:2012 and the relevant
local authority’s requirements. The size and extent of the disposal systems are determined by the receiving
environment and the expected flow volumes. Factors such as soil types, slope and the proximity of potentially
sensitive environments and constraints such as creeks, bores, wells etc determine the extent, location and
type of disposal system chosen.
The Wormorator® and associated dose tank has a 2000ltr reserve capacity where pump loading is necessary
to allow for 24 hrs emergency storage should a pump fail. The operating capacity of the NaturalFlow Series
NF1500 Treatment System is 800ltrs per day of combined Black and Grey water.
Because the WORMORATOR® is a dry vault system there is negligible sludge build up so it does not require
any regular de-sludging. This specifically meets clause AS/NZS 1547:2012 5.4.2.2.1 as to desludging
requirements.

NATURALFLOW SERIES NF1500
System Specification & Installation Instructions
If in doubt contact the experts on 0800 628 356 or [e-mail]
New Zealand’s Leaders in Eco-Sustainable, Odourless Wastewater and Sewage Systems
Wormorator® & Dose Chamber Specifications
Tanks are made of Cotene 9050 which is a linear medium density polyethylene, designed specifically for
rotational molding of large tanks and products that require a high level of rigidity. It contains a fully formulated
long term UV stabilization package (with a minimum UV8 rating) and is suitable material for wastewater
treatment containment meeting all the requirements of Section 4.3.3 of AS/NZS 1547:2012 which cross
references the structural performance requirements of its section 2.4.2.3 back to the relevant provisions of
AS/NZS 1546.1, which for plastic septic tanks constructed via by rotational molding using thermoplastics
(polyethylene) are set out in Section 9 of that Standard. These tanks have an expected lifespan of 50 years.
SXL5000 Wormorator® Module
1000ltrs Nominal capacity
1200mm Diameter
1400 mm O/A height
Dose Chamber
1500ltrs Nominal capacity
1200mm Diameter over main body
732mm Riser Diameter
2125mm O/A height
Installation Location and Certification
These tanks are not designed for vehicle loads and shall be located no closer than 1.50m to a driveway, road
frontage or a building. If for any reason the tank is located where vehicle traffic may drive over the tank or
approach closer than 1.50m, or where it may be trampled on by farm stock then the tank should be protected
by a concrete slab designed to support these loads. Surface water must also be diverted from flowing into the
installation.
Installation must be certified to AS/NZS 1547:2012, the certificate to be issued and held by the regulatory
authority.
High Water Table Installations
All tanks have been engineered and designed with support ribbing for maximum strength, in accordance with
the NZC 3604. Clauses B1 and B2 for structure and durability, to withstand any hydraulic pressures, both lateral
and uplift, created by high water table conditions, even when the tanks are completely empty at install stage.
As per the NaturalFlow Systems installation instructions, in these conditions, tanks must be anchored in with
concrete around base, as per the installation instructions, to height as specified.
Plumbing Pipes and Fittings
All internal plumbing is done with PVC pipes with appropriate connections according to AS/NZS 1260 and
AS/NZS 4130.
Backfill and Bedding
Place and bed to NZBC G13/AS2, using compacted granular metal, in layers not exceeding 100mm.

NATURALFLOW SERIES NF1500
System Specification & Installation Instructions
See our website: www.naturalflow.co.nz
New Zealand’s Leaders in Eco-Sustainable, Odourless Wastewater and Sewage Systems
Electrical
Where a pump is required on a flat site electrical connection must be installed according to AS/NZS 3000 and
the control and alarm system must be in a weatherproof housing located in a readily visible position.
Warranty
WATERFLOW NZ LTD warrants that the NaturalFlow System will be free from defects in material and
workmanship for the following periods of time from the date of installation as set out in the following
conditions:
1. Roto-Molded tanks 15yrs
2. Filter media 15yrs
3. Dosing float/and or pumps 2yrs
4. WATERFLOW NZ LTD will at its discretion replace or repair such components that prove to be faulty
with the same or equivalent part at no charge.
5. Warranty of operation covers the performance of the NaturalFlow systems as connected to the
effluent inflow for which they are designed, and also installed to the criteria as set out in the relative
installation instructions and procedures.
Warranty excludes defects due to:
A) Failure to use the system in accordance with owner’s manual.
B) A force majeure event outside the reasonable control of WATERFLOW NZ LTD such as (but not
limited to) earthquake, fire, flood soil subsidence ground water table variations or plumbing fault.
C) Modifications to surrounding landscape contours after installation
D) The actions of a third party
E) The system required to bear loads (either hydraulic or biological) greater than that for which it was
designed
F) Any modifications or repairs undertaken without the consent of WATERFLOW NZ LTD
G) Failure, where applicable, to fence and plant land application system (disposal field)
1st June 2014
Dean Hoyle
Managing Director

NATURALFLOW SERIES NF1500
System Specification & Installation Instructions
If in doubt contact the experts on 0800 628 356 or [e-mail]
NaturalFlow Series NF1500 Dose Installation Instructions
The NaturalFlow system is to be installed or signed off by a registered Drain layer to the design specified by
Waterflow NZ Ltd.
The following installation instructions and procedures followed correctly will ensure System performance is
not compromised in any way.
1. Excavate a 1.4m (wide) x 1.6m (long) level platform for Wormorator® at the appropriate depth, so
when it is placed there is adequate fall to inlet from its source.
2. Excavate a 1.4m (wide) x 1.6m (long) level platform, below the Wormorator® platform, for the Dose
Chamber and placed so that the Dose Chamber is centered to Wormorator®.
3. Lay 100mm of bedding metal on platforms and place Wormorator® then Dose Chamber.
4. Fit the short length of DWV50 supplied, in outlet hole, in base of Wormorator®.
5. Analyze where Black Water is to enter Dose Chamber and mark center of UNISEAL® @ 790mm high
from base of Chamber. Very carefully drill a 62.7mm hole with a holesaw at marked center and fit
50mm Uniseal (see Uniseal instruction details appendix B below)
6. Apply some lubrication to the UNISEAL® and carefully connect Wormorator® and Dose Chamber with
DWV50, fitted to Wormorator®. (see UNISEAL® instructions appendix B) N.B. pipe to protrude 50mm
through UNISEAL®
7. Where possible excavate a trench away from System and lay drain coil and drainage metal at the base
of the system to drain away any surface or ground water. On a flat or high water table site System must
be bedded in as per appendix A below
8. Trench from Dose Chamber outlet to disposal field, ensuring there is a constant fall from outlet to
disposal field
9. Analyze where Grey Water is to enter Dose Chamber and mark center of UNISEAL® @ 550mm high
from base of Chamber. Very carefully drill a 127mm hole with a holesaw at marked center and fit
100mm Uniseal (see Uniseal instruction details appendix B below).
10. Connect Grey Water from source to Dose Chamber
11. Take a minimum of 2 photos at this point to show correct installation for sign off.
12. Back fill around tanks with pea metal. DO NOT back fill with soil or clay of any type as this can cause
point pressure on the modules and could cause distortion.
Caution: System must be protected from excessive super imposed loads both lateral and top loads. E.g. loads
from vehicular traffic. There needs to be at least 2m of clearance maintained around system.
Worms: Ensure adequate moisture in the Wormorator® and add worms once installed unless systems is not
going to be used within 2 months of installation.

NATURALFLOW SERIES NF1500
System Specification & Installation Instructions
See our website: www.naturalflow.co.nz
NaturalFlow Series NF1500 Pump Installation Instructions
The NaturalFlow system is to be installed or signed off by a registered Drain layer to the design specified by
Waterflow NZ Ltd.
The following installation instructions and procedures followed correctly will ensure System performance is
not compromised in any way.
1. Excavate a 1.4m (wide) x 1.6m (long) level platform for Wormorator® at the appropriate depth, so
when it is placed there is adequate fall to inlet from its source.
2. Excavate a 1.4m (wide) x 1.6m (long) level platform, below the Wormorator® platform, for the Dose
Chamber and placed so that the Dose Chamber is centered to Wormorator®.
3. Lay 100mm of bedding metal on platforms and place Wormorator® then Dose Chamber.
4. Fit the short length of DWV50 supplied, in outlet hole, in base of Wormorator®.
5. Analyze where Black Water is to enter Dose Chamber and mark center of UNISEAL® @ 790mm high
from base of Chamber. Very carefully drill a 62.7mm hole with a hole saw at marked center and fit
50mm Uniseal (see Uniseal instruction details appendix B below)
6. Apply some lubrication to the UNISEAL® and carefully connect Wormorator® and Dose Chamber with
DWV50, fitted to Wormorator®. (see UNISEAL® instructions appendix B) N.B. pipe to protrude 50mm
through UNISEAL®
7. Where possible excavate a trench away from System and lay drain coil and drainage metal at the base
of the system to drain away any surface or ground water. On a flat or high water table site System must
be bedded in as per appendix A below
8. Analyze where Grey Water is to enter Dose Chamber and mark center of UNISEAL® @ 550mm high
from base of Chamber. Very carefully drill a 127mm hole with a hole saw at marked center and fit
Uniseal (see Uniseal instruction details appendix B below)
9. Connect Grey Water from source to Dose Chamber
10. Take a minimum of 2 photos at this point to show correct installation.
11. Back fill around tanks with pea metal. DO NOT back fill with soil or clay of any type as this can cause
point pressure on the modules and could cause distortion.
12. Connect pump with fittings supplied and lay feed line to disposal field.
Caution: System must be protected from excessive super imposed loads both lateral and top loads. E.g. loads
from vehicular traffic. There needs to be at least 2m of clearance maintained around system.
Worms: Ensure adequate moisture in the Wormorator® and add worms once installed unless systems is not
going to be used within 2 months of installation.

NATURALFLOW SERIES NF1500
System Specification & Installation Instructions
If in doubt contact the experts on 0800 628 356 or [e-mail]
Appendix A and B
Appendix A
High Water Table: For installation in high water table areas, make sure you have a pump to pump away ground
water whilst installing. Excavate a pump cavity to one side of the platform and pump ground water away during
entire installation process .Half fill dose tank with water, this will flow back into Wormorator as well and will
help with resisting the hydraulic uplift (ensure that Wormorator is not completely flooded). Either lay 2-3m3of
concrete around the base of the tanks or mix 3 bags of cement/cube of GAP20 (or similar) metal to form a mass
to stop any hydraulic uplift. Leave water in tanks for at least 12 hours after installation is completed and then
pump out to allow Wormorator to dry out.
Appendix B
Instructions for fitting UNISEAL®
1. Cut hole to the Hole saw size indicated for the UNISEAL® you are using. Either 127mm hole for a
4”/100mm pipe or 67.2mm hole for a 2”/50mm pipe.
2. Ensure that the hole is clean cut with sharp edges. Irregularities could cause poor seating and
ultimate leakage.
3. Insert the UNISEAL® into the hole with the wide side facing the pipe to be inserted.
4. Make certain that the pipe end to be inserted is clean cut. File the edges so that there are no sharp
points to cut UNISEAL®.
5. Using Detergent, lubricate the outside of the pipe end to be inserted, then push the pipe through the
UNISEAL® from the large flange side. The detergent will be squeezed off as the pipe passes through the
UNISEAL®. The co-efficient of friction of the rubber holds the pipe tightly in place.
Outside
Pipe
Inside
Side Elevation:

NATURALFLOW SERIES NF1500
System Specification & Installation Instructions
See our website: www.naturalflow.co.nz
NaturalFlow Series NF1500 Flow Charts
NaturalFlow Series NF1500 Treatment System Dose
NaturalFlow Series NF1500 Treatment System Dose
Grey
Water
from
House
Black
Water
from
House
Advanced Primary
1260
1260
2100 0
1560
540
To Disposal Field as per
AS/NZ 1547:2012 or
relevant Local Authority
requirements
Matrix Filter
750mm Dia Lid
Grey
Water
from
House
Black
Water
from
House
Advanced Primary
1260
1260
2100 0
1560
540
To Disposal Field as per
AS/NZ 1547:2012 or
relevant Local Authority
requirements
Matrix Filter
750mm Dia Lid
Copyright Waterflow New Zealand Limited 2012©

Head Office
Waterflow NZ Ltd
PO Box 24, 1160 State Highway 12,
Maungaturoto 0547, New Zealand
P. 09 431 0042
E. [email protected]
South Island Office
NaturalFlow South Ltd,
82 Johns Road,
Belfast, Christchurch 8051
P. 03 323 8541
E. [e-mail]
www.naturalflow.co.nz
“We do it simpler”
Call us today to discuss your needs
0800 628 356
Or for more information www.naturalflow.co.nz

Home Owner Care Guide
“We do it simpler”
by Waterow NZ Ltd

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• Contents
To The Home Owner …3
…4
…5
…8
…9
…10
…11
Waterow NZ Ltd Warranty
Caring For Your Wastewater And
Sewage System
In A ‘Nutshell’…
Household Cleaning Chemicals
Cleaning Substutes
Water Tolerant Plants Suitable For
On-Site Wastewater Disposal Systems

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HOME OWNERS CARE GUIDE
• To The Home Owner
Thank you for choosing a NaturalFlow
System to treat and care for your on-site
sewage and wastewater.
NaturalFlow is a truly natural living system
that uses well-established, sustainable
processes to treat both solid and liquid
waste. Nature is one huge recycling
mechanism and NaturalFlow harnesses
these forces that have been working
together for thousands of years and
connue to do so today, working with our
environment, to treat your wastewater.
The system does not draw on any other
resources and does not use external power
in any of the treatment processes.
We would encourage you to monitor and
care for your NaturalFlow system yourself
with our backing and support and by doing
so you will learn how your system works
and operates and how to keep it in top
working order. As with all living organisms
a lile care and supervision will ensure
that it will run at peak performance for
many years.
The system accommodates and works
with all of today’s conveniences such as
convenonal toilets, ‘waste master’ units
from the kitchen and more. All domesc
wastewater can be taken care of and
even on steep and dicult sites with
poor soakage; NaturalFlow will deliver
consistent results year aer year.
Kind regards,
The NaturalFlow Team
Wormorator™
Vermiculture
module
Grey water comes
from Laundry,
Baths, Showers and
Hand Basins
Black water comes
from toilet and
Kitchen Sink
NaturalFlow
Treatment Processes
NaturalFlow
Treatment Processes
Treated Black and Grey Water blended together
for nal disposal into the soil
as per Council RegulaƟons

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• Waterow NZ Ltd Warranty
WATERFLOW NZ LTD warrants that the NaturalFlow System will be free from defects in material and workmanship
for the following periods of me from the date of installaon as set out in the following condions:
1. Roto-Moulded tanks 15yrs
2. Filter media 15 yrs.
3. Dosing oat and/or pumps 2yrs
4. WATERFLOW NZ LTD will at its discreon replace or repair such components that prove to be
faulty with the same or equivalent part at no charge.
5. Warranty of Operaon covers the performance of the NaturalFlow System as connected to the
euent inow for which they are designed, and has been installed to the criteria as set out in
the relave installaon instrucons and procedures, and has an assigned Service/Maintenace
contract in place with Waterow NZ Ltd or it’s appointed agent/s.
Warranty excludes defects due to:
A) Failure to use the system in accordance with owner’s manual.
B) A force majeure event outside the reasonable control of WATERFLOW NZ LTD such as (but not
limited to) earthquake, re, ood, soil subsidence, ground water table variaons or plumbing fault.
C) Modicaons to surrounding landscape contour aer installaon
D) The acons of a third party
E) The system required to bear loads (either hydraulic or biological) greater than that for which it
was designed
F) Any modicaons or repairs undertaken without the consent of WATERFLOW NZ LTD
G) Failure, where applicable, to fence and plant disposal eld.
Dean Hoyle
Managing Director.

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HOME OWNERS CARE GUIDE
• Caring For Your Wastewater And Sewage System
Home Owner Care Role
The Home owner is greatly encouraged to maintain a monthly visual check of the operaon of their
system and to make sure their land applicaon systems are maintained in good condion.
1. Industry recommendaon is to have a maintenance contract in place at all mes
2. Visual check of treatment system
3. Visual check of land applicaon system
4. Nofy Waterow NZ of any issues
Inspecon Checklist:
When checking the system operaon, take parcular note of;
1. Wormorator build-up. Six monthly level should be no higher than 200mm below inlet pipe (simple
observaon through lid adequate).
2. Field performance, parcularly looking for any undue odours or euent breakout (ush eld lines
2–3 monthly).
3. All electrical parts (if applicable). Ensure all pump alarms are working.
4. Check Grey Water and Dose tank outlet lter for any build-up.
5. Check Aerang Bio-Filter charge tank (1200 pump) for correct operaon (simple observaon
through lid adequate) and that the plants themselves look healthy and lush (these can be trimmed
if desired to keep looking dy).
Did you know…
…that as a homeowner you’re responsible to make sure your wastewater system gets the required
maintenance needed to protect the investment in your home? This guide will help you care for your
wastewater system. It will help you understand how your system works and what steps you can take
as a homeowner to ensure your system will work eciently.

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Components of Your Complete Wastewater Sepc System
A typical wastewater sepc system has two main components: a Wastewater and Sewage Treatment
System and a Land Applicaon System (or disposal eld)
The NaturalFlow System treats and reduces the solid content of the wastewater by up to 95%. The
wastewater liquid then ows to the disposal eld, where it percolates into the soil, and microbes
provide nal treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients before it eventually
reaches the groundwater ecosystem, and the cycle begins again.
Ecient Water Use – ‘it does make a dierence’
Average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is approximately 180ltrs per person per day.
The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the sepc system. Ecient water use
can improve the operaon of the wastewater system and reduce any risk of disposal eld overload.
High-eciency toilets
Toilet use accounts for 25 to 30 percent of household water use.
Do you know how many litres of water your toilet uses to ush? Most older homes have toilets with
11+ litre reservoirs, while newer high-eciency dual ush toilets use 6.3/5.5ltrs or down to 4.5/3ltrs
of water per ush. N.B. Did you know leaky toilets can waste as much as 700ltrs each day.
Consider reducing the volume of water in the toilet tank with a volume displacer (fancy name for a
brick, stone etc!) if you don’t have a high-eciency model, or replacing your exisng toilets with high-
eciency models.
Check to make sure your toilet’s reservoir isn’t leaking into the bowl. Add ve drops of liquid food
colouring to the reservoir before bed. If the dye is in the bowl the next morning, the reservoir is
leaking and repairs are needed.
Water xtures
A small drip from a faucet may add many litres of unnecessary water to your system every day. To see
how much a leak adds to your water usage, place a cup under the drip for 10 minutes. Mulply the
amount of water in the cup by 144 (the number of minutes in 24 hours, divided by 10). This is the total
amount of clean water travelling to your sepc system each day from that lile leak.
Faucet aerators and high eciency showerheads
Faucet aerators help reduce water use and the volume of water entering your
sepc system. High-eciency showerheads also reduce water use.
• Caring For Your Wastewater And Sewage System

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HOME OWNERS CARE GUIDE
Washing machines
By selecng the proper load size, you’ll reduce wastewater. Washing small loads of laundry on the
large-load cycle wastes precious water and energy. If you can’t select load size, run only full loads of
laundry. N.B. A new Energy Star washing machine uses 35 percent less energy and 50 percent less
water than a standard model.
Watch your drains!
What goes down the drain can have a major impact on how well your wastewater system works.
What shouldn’t you ush down your toilet?
Dental oss, feminine hygiene products, diapers, coon swabs, cigaree bus, cat lier, and other
kitchen and bathroom items that can clog and potenally damage sepc system components if they
become trapped. Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pescides, anfreeze, and paint can also
stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system or might contaminate surface or
ground waters.
Care for your Land Applicaon System
Your land appliacon system is an important part of your wastewater system. Here are a few things
you should do to maintain it:
• Flush driplines regularly – every 3 months recommended
• Plant only recommended wetland plants over and near your wastewater system. Roots from
nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the draineld
• Don’t drive or park vehicles on any part of your wastewater system. Doing so can compact the soil
in your draineld or damage the pipes, tank, or other sepc system components
• Do not build any structures over it or seal it with concrete, asphalt etc
• Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or surface water drainage
systems away from the draineld. Flooding the draineld with excessive water slows down or
stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing xtures to back up
• Trees with very aggressive roots, such as willows, should be kept well away from the disposal
system, see page 11 for list of recommended planngs
• A soggy draineld won’t absorb and neutralize liquid waste. Plan landscaping,
roof guers and foundaon drains so that excess water is diverted away from
the Land Applicaon System
• Caring For Your Wastewater And Sewage System

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• In A ‘Nutshell’…
DO…
• If your system requires power supply make sure this remains on connuously, unless system is
being serviced
• Check faucets and toilets for leaks; make repairs if necessary
• Use low ush toilets where possible
• Use a ‘displacer’ to reduce the amount of water needed to ush older toilets
• Use aerators on faucets and ow reducer nozzles on showers to help lower water consumpon
• Reduce water levels for small loads of laundry
• Wait unl the dishwasher is full to run it
• Densely plant your eld to maximise transpiraon
• Perform regular monthly visual checks of your system and eld
• Grass should be mowed or trimmed regularly to opmize growth and prevent the grass from
becoming rank
• Use signs, fences and/or planngs to prevent any vehicle or stock access
• Keep records of all maintenance undertaken on the wastewater systems
• Monitor and care for your Wastewater System as per instrucons in the home owner’s manual
• You are welcome to install a Waste Master in your kitchen sink. The worms love it!!
DO NOT…
• Switch o power unless servicing
• Use chlorine based disinfectant & cleaning products in the toilets or kitchen sink (Cleaners high
in chlorine, phosphorous or ammonia must not be used)
• Over use heavy cleaners that kill benecial bacteria in the sepc system
• Pour any toxic/strong chemicals (paint, oil, grease, paint thinners or pescides) down any drains
• Flush down your toilet – Dental oss, feminine hygiene products, diapers, coon swabs, cigaree
bus, cat lier, and other kitchen and bathroom items
• Discard any drugs down the sink or toilet
• Empty rubbish bags into Wormorator
• Alter or add any part of your system without Waterow NZ LTD’s approval

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HOME OWNERS CARE GUIDE
• Household Cleaning Chemicals
Eects on Wastewater and Disposal System Receiving Environments
Use of many cleaning chemicals in facilies served by on-site disposal systems, can result in high
concentraons of the constuents in those cleaning agents being discharged into the receiving
soils. These chemicals and constuents can have a massive impact on the quality and condion of
the receiving soils over me.
Many of the chemicals can disrupt soil structure and decrease hydraulic conducvity while others
can act as bactericides, destroying the essenal micro-organisms required to achieve the high level
of biodegradaon in the treatment and disposal systems.
The following maers need to be considered when using cleaning agents in a domesc situaon:
• Laundry powders are oen extremely high in sodium which will destroy the salt balance in the
soils. Check the labels for low sodium and phosphorous contents.
• Wastewater ow from dishwashing machines can have an impact on wastewater treatment
systems, in terms of the strong cleaning chemicals used, so check labels for low sodium products
• Highly corrosive cleaners (such as toilet and drain cleaners) that have precauonary labels
warning users to minimise direct contact, are an indicaon that they can adversely aect the
wastewater treatment system. Up to 1 cup of bactericides such as bleach can be sucient to
impact on all the microorganisms/bugs in a sepc system.
Recommended Cleaning Brands:

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• Cleaning Substutes
Substutes For Household Cleaning Chemicals (Ref TP58)
Use of the following readily biodegradable substutes for common potenally harmful household
cleaning chemicals will reduce the stress on any wastewater system, signicantly enhance the
performance of the whole system and increase the life of the land applicaon system, while reducing
the potenal eects of the receiving soils.
General Cleaners
Use so soap cleaners and bio-degradable cleaners and those low in chlorine levels.
Ammonia-Based Cleaners
Instead sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge. For windows, use a soluon of 2-Tbs white vinegar
to 1-litre of water. Place the mixture into a spray bole.
Disinfectants
In preference use Borax (sold in most Bin Inn stores): ½ cup in 4-litres of water.
Drain De-Cloggers
Avoid using de-clogging chemicals. Instead use a plunger or metal snake, or remove and clean trap.
Scouring Cleaners and Powders
Instead sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge or add 4-Tbs baking soda to 1-Litre warm water. It’s
cheaper and won’t scratch.
Toilet Cleaners
Sprinkle on baking soda, then scrub with toilet brush.
Laundry Detergent
Choose one with a zero phosphate content and low in alkaline salts (in parcular, a low sodium
level) and no chlorine.
Oven Cleaners
Sprinkle salt on drips, then scrub. Use baking soda and scouring pads on
older spills.

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HOME OWNERS CARE GUIDE
• Water Tolerant Plants Suitable For On-Site
Wastewater Disposal Systems
• Alocasia nigrescens (Black Taro)
• Apodasmia similis (Oioi)
• Arthropodium Matapouri Bay
(Rengarenga Lily)
• Carex dispacea
• Carex dissita
• Carex maorica
• Carex secta
• Carex tenuiculmis
• Carex virgata
• Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree)
• Cordyline Midnight Star
• Leptospermum Burgundy Queen
(Flowering Ti Tree)
• Lomandra Tanika
• Phomium Surfer
Carexx sectaApodasmia
similis
Alocasia
nigrescens
Cordyline
australis
Note: For a full range of plants and their descripons please see our website:
www.naturalow.co.nz
Planngs that will soon have your eld looking magnicent!
Below are the most common of nave and other plant species that are tolerant or fond of
moist condions, such as those associated with wastewater disposal elds.