New Zealand Standard Would Require Septic Tanks to Hold 'Warrant of Fitness'

摘要

A proposed National Environmental Standard (NES) would require on-site domestic wastewater systems in hot spot locations to hold a current warrant of fitness, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced July 14. On-site wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks, usually serve a single household and treat household wastewater to varying levels before the effluent is released into the environment. Failure rates of current on-site systems in various communities are estimated at between 15 percent and 50 percent. In some places this has led to high levels of fecal contamination in streams and springs.