Residential Septic Systems – Design, Permits, and Installation
Factors Considered in System Design
When designing a residential septic system, we take the following into account:
Number of Bedrooms: Determines the daily wastewater load.
Soil Type: Influences how effluent is absorbed and treated in the disposal area.
Effluent Disposal Area: Specifies where treated wastewater will be dispersed on your property.
Most local councils require a Land Capability Assessment (LCA) as part of the permit approval process.
Need Help Organising Your Land Capability Assessment (LCA)?
If you don’t already have a geotechnical company engaged, we may be able to recommend a local provider to conduct your LCA. This report is essential for preparing the documents required for your council submission.
Need to speak to an Expert!
Council Permit Application Support
We assist you with the entire council permit process to make it as simple and stress-free as possible.
What we need from you:
Two copies of your site and floor plans
Your completed Land Capability Assessment
Payment of the council permit fees
We liaise with councils across Australia daily and are familiar with the terminology and requirements that can often seem complex for homeowners.
Septic Tank Regulations vary between councils and states.
If you’re unsure about your local council’s specific regulations, click here to learn more.
Residential System Installation – What to Expect
All installations are carried out by our own fully trained and accredited in-house installers. We do not use subcontractors or local plumbers for any part of the installation process.
On Installation Day:
Our installer will arrive with a truck, excavator, and all required equipment.
Before starting, they will meet with you (or your builder) to confirm the final location of your system on-site.
Some advantages of our Residential Septic Systems
Secondary Wastewater Treatment Certified
We are very excited to announce this accreditation, particularly as our Worm Farm Waste System achieved compliance within the first week of testing without any modifications to our original design. The results prove our system has always delivered a high-quality level of effluent.
The original A&A Worm Farm Waste System is now accredited for secondary AS 1546.3:2017
No Smells
Our Residential Septic Systems do not have a septic smell. The liquid which leaves the system is clear, odourless, aerated and contains worm castings and worm eggs which will benefit your garden.
Low Power Consumption
If your residential site is on a hill, a non-powered gravity septic system may be suitable. On flat sites we install a small sump pump to disperse the worm liquid from the system to the effluent disposal area.
The pump is only activated on demand for a couple of minutes when required. The cost is approximately $175 per year.
Environmentally Sustainable
Using a single chamber, non-mechanical system, this simple worm technology processes residential sewage, wastewater and organic waste, converting it into a reusable clear, aerated liquid fertiliser for your plants.
Up to 90% less organic waste could leave your site for landfill. Imagine if every household in the country saved up to 90% of the organic waste they dispose into landfill, we would not have the landfill issues we now have.
People Are Talking About Our Eco-Friendly Septic System
Blue Mountains 2011
We built our new farm house in the Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains in 2011 and installed a worm farm at the recommendation of our builder. It was considered so much better than a septic system for a range of reasons.
It has operated smoothly, and with no problems since then.
I would strongly recommend the system for anyone in our circumstances.
It is testament of the strength of the product and it’s relevance that you are still operating after 26 years.
Thank you
John A
Worm Farm System
Hi,
I just wanted to say, putting in a worm farm composting system instead of the councils recommended pumped UV treatment plant has got to be one of the best decisions we ever made when we were building.
Ours has been running smoothly for about 10 years now. (I think). Has absolutely no bad smell at all and doesn’t require any electricity or on going maintenance costs to keep operating properly.
It took a lot of research at the beginning to find you guys and to convince council and builders it was a good system back then, but I’m glad we got it through
Marcus
The Smart Choice
We’ve had our system for over 2 years now and it’s been the smart choice of the septic systems we looked at.
The running costs have been minimal and its needed no maintenance.
It’s been excellent using the system day to day including the disposal of our organic waste.
Big plus for the environment as well. Highly recommend this septic tank system to anyone.
NSW Central Coast
Helen K
Lean More About Our Residential Septic Systems
Finalist 2017 HIA Greensmart Awards
Our septic tank systems can provide a cost effective and sustainable living solution.
Eco-Friendly Septic Tank System
Our wastewater treatment system converts sewage and organic waste using the humble worm.
Here’s Why Over 3,700 Aussies Choose Our Truly Organic Septic System
- Secondary Wastewater Treatment Certified – AS 1546.3:2017
- Company established in 1996.
- Over 3,700 systems installed in Australia (2026).
- Residential & Commercial systems.
- Approved in VIC, NSW, SA, QLD & NT.
- Company trained employees manufacture, install and service the systems.
- Council Permit Applications - ‘We talk council speak’ and apply for you.
- Single chamber with low site impact.
- No chemical or chlorine disinfection chamber.
- No smells – The system remains aerobic via a wind driven vent pipe.
- No scum or sludge.
- No large power bills – approx. $175 per year to run. (Independently tested in 2024).
- 20 times faster and more complete in processing solids than traditional septic or aerated wastewater systems (AWTS). Secondary quality effluent is produced within a week of installation.
- The only secondary wastewater system certified by Australian Standards for organic food composting with the potential to reduce your organic food waste volume by up to 90%.
- No Service Contracts.
- The system can remain dormant for 2 years or longer. Worms form eggs and regenerate when you return from holiday.
- The pumps are very quiet and only activate on demand.
- The use of normal household cleaning products won’t affect the worms.
- The system is suitable for all soils, climates, desert, tropical and alpine.
- Environmentally friendly and sustainable.
- Natural liquid fertiliser is added into your soil, improving all soils 100mm both vertically and horizontally per year.
- 10 Year System Warranty / Component Warranties.
All our residential systems come with a Child Proof Entry
For homeowners seeking an alternative to traditional septic or aerated systems, learn more about our certified Home Sewage Treatment Plant.
Our eco-friendly Residential Septic Systems have a huge void capacity for organic waste, unlike other systems that can only accept very small quantities and generally only through an insinkerator.
With years of extensive research and development, our natural, eco-friendly septic tank system offers a simple solution which uses minimal energy for disposing of organic waste.
An entry chute is installed above ground allowing for easy disposal of organic kitchen and garden waste including:
- Dairy
- Citrus
- Onions
- Garlic
- Meat
- Fruit
- Table scraps
- Vegetable peelings
Additional food sources for the worms include
- Dead heads from annuals
- Rose Flowers
- Agapanthus
- Thistles
- Dock
- Patterson’s Curse
- Capeweed
- Weeds need the soil shaken from their roots
Other weeds that produce seeds which require containment to prevent spreading will all add an additional food source for the worm.
All wastewater and sewage is processed and kept on site and re-used as an underground liquid fertiliser for your plants. This natural liquid fertiliser is disposed of high in the soil to promote growth in the most biologically active soil area.
Worm castings from the system are absorbed into the soil combined with processed wastewater to help your trees, shrubs, roses, annuals, lawn and hedges to thrive.
The liquid fertiliser also contains worm eggs. Washed out of the system, they hatch and the worms live in the disposal areas scouring and aerating the soil. Even heavy clays will be opened up 100mm vertically and 50mm on each side per year by the worms and microbes.
