About Us
Steve's Takeaways is based in Whangaroa and is well placed to service tanks throughout the region.
We are contracted by homeowners, businesses and facilities management organisations to service onsite wastewater disposal systems in accordance with Far North District Council bylaws.
Our team are experienced and can provide lots of advice on how to improve your onsite wastewater systems.
Whether you need sewage waste removed, drains emptied or grease traps cleaned, we're here to help.
How septic tanks work
Wastewater from the kitchen, bathroom and laundry discharges into a septic tank buried beneath the ground. These tanks have either one or two chambers.
The heavier solids (sludge) settle to the bottom of the tank or first chamber, while suspended solids float to the top. The liquid in the middle flows out of the tank via an outlet pipe to a disposal field where natural processes treat the wastewater further.
Some outlet pipes have filters which can be removed and cleaned.
Wastewater from the kitchen, bathroom and laundry discharges into a septic tank buried beneath the ground. These tanks have either one or two chambers.
The heavier solids (sludge) settle to the bottom of the tank or first chamber, while suspended solids float to the top. The liquid in the middle flows out of the tank via an outlet pipe to a disposal field where natural processes treat the wastewater further.
Some outlet pipes have filters which can be removed and cleaned.
How AWTS are different
Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems or AWTS, generally have several chambers that process the effluent in different ways and require a pump to move effluent from one chamber to another.
Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems or AWTS, generally have several chambers that process the effluent in different ways and require a pump to move effluent from one chamber to another.
Maintenance
If properly installed and maintained, septic tanks and AWTS are effective ways of dealing with domestic wastewater.
Poorly maintained systems can pollute the environment, put people’s health at risk and can be very expensive to fix.
In the Far North district council area, septic tanks and AWTS are required to be cleaned or pumped out every 5 years or more often.
Warning signs
Here are some indications of a failing septic system.- Slow draining sinks, bath, or toilet
- Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system
- Effluent overflows at gully traps and vents
- Odors or surfacing sewage near the septic tank or drainage field
- Ponding of water in the soakage field or around tank lid
- Plumbing or septic tank backups
We believe that preventative maintenance is always the best course of action.
- Slow draining sinks, bath, or toilet
- Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system
- Effluent overflows at gully traps and vents
- Odors or surfacing sewage near the septic tank or drainage field
- Ponding of water in the soakage field or around tank lid
- Plumbing or septic tank backups
We believe that preventative maintenance is always the best course of action.