Biolytix waste-water system thrills its owners
Lelie Sise and Ray Templeton at their Patons Rock property. Photo: Ina Holst.
When Lelie Sise and Ray Templeton had to install a new wastewater treatment system for their eco-friendly house in Patons Rock, they went straight for the worms. The Biolytix sewage treatment system works independently of any machinery or chemicals, using nature’s processes to treat wastewater instead, and the couple praises its efficiency.
The system easily handles extra visitors, heavy loads, long absences and even the careful use of household chemicals, says Ray.
“When you want to go away for a month the population looks after itself and dies down, and when production is increased the worms start multiplying again. When we once went away for six weeks we left half a pumpkin for the worms to feed on.”
“I think it is the best thing we have done here,” added Lelie. “We stumbled across it by accident by talking to a plumber in Nelson and we found the concept so good and so simple.”
The system uses electricity but running costs are low, about $30 to $50 per year, and the system requires little service, says Ray. It is monitored telemetrically via a small panel and the information is relayed to Biolytix in Australia. Whenever a problem occurs, such as a prolonged power cut, Biolytix will get in touch with the service technician here.
The Biolytix process uses the decomposition of grey and black wastewater by a complex range of living organisms that live inside the in-ground tank in layers of net-bag filters and a multitude of black drainage pipes. The hardworking ecosystem works by basically recycling the sewage into irrigation water without the use of any chemicals, and is virtually odour-free.
“It was amazing—after a month of usage, a kilogram of African nightcrawlers, tiger and red worms was put into the tank and now when the grandkids come to visit, instead of ‘going to the toilet’ they want to go and ‘feed the worms’,” says Ray.
The breakdown of waste material, including toilet waste, household food waste and paper products, feeds billions of microbes and a mix of invertebrate soil-decomposing organisms, which mix, munch up and aerate the waste and convert it to fine humus. This in turn is structured by the soil invertebrates into a sponge-like porous filter that filters and cleans the wastewater. The liquid content is filtered out by gravity and a small pump kicks in to get rid of the liquids via a dispersal field consisting of 220 metres of perforated pipes dug into the ground. The end product fertilises and waters Lelie and Ray’s garden.
TDC’s building consent officer for wastewater, Robert Cox, says the Biolytix system is becoming increasingly popular.
“It was entered into a national trial run by Environment Bay of Plenty, and it is fair to say that it is a satisfactory secondary treatment system. By now, close to 60 to 70 households are using it across the Tasman District.”
Efficient secondary treatment systems are a council requirement for Special Domestic Wastewater Disposal Areas to protect sensitive environments, such as the coast, from polluting sewage.
Further information on the Biolytix system can be obtained from <www.biolytix.com>.
Ina Holst
