Home Sewage Treatment Plant (HSTP)Also known as an Aerated Waste Water Treatment System (AWTS), or All Waste Treatment Plant (AWTP).
These systems usually comprise of the same processes as an AWTS, however they use a carefully graded and layered bed (filter) of gravel and sand to provide oxygen to micro-organisms that treat and purify the wastewater.  WHY SHOULD WE HAVE ONE?This is simple. In the past we used septic tanks that have a very low water quality. HSTPs are the next evolutionary step in the treatment of our sewage. HSTPs if properly maintained have significantly better water quality than older style septics and therefore have far less environmental impact. The Wastewater Practitioners Association is dedicated to creating better treatment systems that will be effective in creating a healthier environment for the future of our planet. HOW DO THEY WORK? A HSTP is a living organism. There are trillions of living bacteria that make the system operate effectively. The HSTP imitates nature by using the naturally occurring bacteria that you and your household provide as part of your daily lifestyle. We provide them with oxygen and a happy home environment to breed and work properly and, in turn, they treat our wastewater by turning it into clean usable water. WHAT DO THEY NEED? A FOOD SOURCE The food source is your natural household waste. That is everything you use in your house that goes into your drains, kitchen, laundry, toilet, shower etc. Too much food will kill the bacteria in the same manner that over fertilizing a plant will kill it. So garbage disposal, home brew kits etc are not good for them. AN AIR SOURCE Air is introduced into your HSTP to keep the bacteria populated, much in the same way an air pump works in a fish tank. If you were to have 10 fish in a small tank with an air pump operating in it, the system would have enough oxygen to support the tank life and keep it healthy. Turn off the air pump and there would not be enough oxygen in the water and the fish and plants would slowly die. Your HSTP works on the same principle. It requires air, food and a happy home environment to work at its maximum potential. When working properly, your HSTP will work efficiently with no odours or problems. It needs a happy balance. WHAT UPSETS THE BALANCE? The greatest cause of problems with your treatment plant are cleaning products and the washing machine. CLEANING PRODUCTS Unfortunately what we call cleaning products, your HSTP may class as poisons. Like humans, some poisons kill us while others will just make us sick and the same will happen to the bacteria in your HSTP. You must use environmentally friendly products. Your treatment system relies on bacteria for your system to work effectively. Any product used that kills bacteria is harmful to your system. If you wish to use some of the harsher cleaning products, it is suggested that you use a bucket and discard the contents in the garden. This also applies to disinfectant, surface sprays and wipes. Some other things that may cause problems are anti-biotics, people who are on chemotherapy. We do not suggest that you stop medication, just expect that the treatment system may not function well for a short time. WASHING MACHINES Try to evenly spread your washing over a period of a week. Avoid where possible to wash everything in one day. It puts too much water in the system in a short time and your HSTP will struggle to cope. Liquid soaps breakdown easier than granulate styles do. Try not to be heavy handed with the amount of soaps you use. HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR (HSTP)? THINGS TO ABSOLUTELY AVOID Chlorine, disinfectant, ammonia, acids, bleaches, caustics and heavy chemical products, nappy pre-soaker products, antibacterial products, fat, oil, grease, milk, toilet deodorisers/cleaners etc are some of the types of products that will cause the bacteria to die off in your HSTP. It will recover but may cause some odours in the short term. BE KIND TO YOUR BACTERIA Give them a good home environment and they will work harder for you. DON’T allow foreign objects, (eg. Nappy liners, disposable nappies, tampons, pads, condoms etc) to enter the system. They do not breakdown and can cause problems. AVOID Pouring large quantities (1/2 litre or more) of beer, wine, milk or fruit juice or oils into the system should be avoided. Products that are acidic may affect bacteria production. SUITABLE PRODUCTS Use products that DO NOT contain disinfectants, bleaches &/or anti bacterials (harsh cleaners). All products should be used in moderation (do not be heavy handed). SURFACE CLEANERS When using surface cleaners try to wipe excess cleaner with a disposable cloth and discard contents into the bin. TOILET CLEANERS Cream Cleaner or wash soda– Toilet fresheners, toilet deodorisers/ cleaners are not recommended. FLOOR CLEANERS Use hot water and detergent. LAUNDRY POWDERS AND LIQUIDS Please look at the Independant Laundry Product Research which is on the next couple of pages. AVOIDABLE PRODUCTS Products that contain ammonia, acids, disinfectants, bleaches. chlorine, oil, paint & chemicals. ANTIBACTERIAL PRODUCTS Any cleaning product that contains any antibacterial chemicals will be harmful to your system. You should limit the use of such products. Please do not discard excess contents into your treatment plant. BLEACHES If using bleaches, pre-soak washing detergents or nappy pre-soaker products please do not discard the excess in your treatment plant. OTHER CLEANERS THAT ARE HARMFUL Chlorine based products, spirits/slcohol, drain cleaning/ clearing products, bleaches, metho or kero, flea or tick wash, floor cleaners, caustic oven cleaners. Please Note: The above list is not intended to promote or discredit the product of any company. It is provided to assist in ensuring the satisfactory on-going operation of your system. SERVICING OF HOME SEWAGE TREATMENT
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A HSTP is: