information booklet - yellow pages

Information Booklet

Aerated Waste Water Treatment System

What is a BioCycle?

BioCycle is a 4 stage miniaturised waste water system in 1 tank. It

accepts all the waste water from your dwelling, processes the effluent

to a high standard then automatically disposes of it into the ornamental

garden. It is designed to cater for 6-8 people in permanent residence

though larger systems can be custom designed to suit your needs.

While the system removes a percentage of nutrients (nitrogen and

phosphate) it is still rich in these elements and therefore of great value to

flower and ornamental gardens. The garden is regularly watered several

times each day with a small amount of nutrient rich water.

Normally the demand for our system is from people who are unable to

obtain septic tank approval or are not on mainline sewerage. If in the

future, mainline sewerage becomes available then the system can be

removed and re-sold.


ContentsHow Does It Work? 2

Approvals 3

Installation of the BioCycle 4

Access To Install The Tank 5

Filling the Biocycle Tank with Water 5

Irrigation Requirements 6

Standard Irrigation Kit 6

The Final Effluent Quality 6

Standard Equipment 7

Blower Specifications 7

The BioCycle Chlorinator 7

Periods of Vacancy 8

Alarm and Fail Safe Operation 8

Electrical Circuit Specifications 8

Recommended Plants for use with an AWTS 9


How Does It Work?

The reinforced concrete tank is divided into 2 large compartments and 2

small ones.

1. The first compartment is in effect the first chamber of a septic

tank and uses anaerobic bacteria to break down the solids.

The effluent enters the second chamber via a controlled flow

device. This evens out the flow to some extent, e.g.: when a

bath is discharged.

2. The second large compartment has air forced into the

bottom of the tank by the blower. This operation converts the

bacteria to aerobic. There is a quantity of ‘media’ installed

for the bacteria to grow on. The aerobic bacteria chew up

the remaining solids the septic bacteria can’t remove. The

effluent is discharged into the first small chamber (clarification

chamber).

3. Before the now clean effluent enters the pump chamber, it

passes around special chlorine tablets (if the effluent is to be

disposed of in ground then chlorine is not needed). The pump

is operated via a float switch to pump the effluent through

piping then out through sprays and drippers.

Note: 200m2 of irrigation line with sprays are supplied as standard

equipment but we design sophisticated irrigation systems to suit your

application. Alternatives are ‘in ground’ irrigation; above ground dripper

lines or automatic line change either at each pump start or after about 4

minutes of pumping.

2


Approvals:

Whether the installation is for a new or an existing home, it is necessary

to make an application to your local Council’s Environmental Officer to

install an Aerated Waste Waster Treatment System and obtain a Special

Plumbing Permit.

This approval process may take several weeks depending on various

factors so please keep this in mind when you are planning your waste

water disposal.

Note: It is necessary for us to sight the Council approval prior to installing

our system.

We will provide you with all possible assistance in making your

application.

It is a Council requirement that the system is serviced quarterly. This

cost will either be met by the Customer or the Council, depending on the

Council’s requirements. During this service all aspects of the system are

inspected.

1. SEPTIC OR ANAEROBIC 3000L

2. ANAEROBIC (WITH AIR) 3000L

3. SETTLING AND RETURN OFSLUDGE TO STEP ONE

4. CHLORINATION AND AUTOMATIC PUMP CHAMBER

www.manionplumbing.com.au


Installation of the BioCycle

Your builder or plumber will advise you of the Council’s requirements

regarding the “fall” from the furthest water outlet of your home to the inlet

of the BioCycle, usually 1-60.

According to the lay of your land you will have a choice for your BioCycle

to be installed in ground, partially out of the ground or standing on a

concrete slab as long as you have sufficient fall.

If the site is so flat that the BioCycle has to be placed deeper in order

that the minimum fall is achieved then ‘risers’ may be required, which will

be an additional cost.

The excavated hole should be 3m x 3m and 2.1m deep. The excavation

needs to be perfectly level in the bottom with 100mm of gravel.

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Access To Install The Tank

The tank will be delivered on a large truck approximately 9 metres long

with a Hyab Crane to lift the tank off the truck and lower it into the hole.

The tank weighs 4.25 Tonne with the lid on.

Enough access will be needed for the truck to offload along side the hole

or directly from the rear of the truck tray.

Preparation of a road may be required in wet areas if this is not possible.

Please advise if there are any obstacles or the incline is too steep. We

can then co-ordinate with a large excavator or crane.

Filling the Biocycle Tank with Water

It is most important that immediately after installation of the tank in

the ground that it be filled with approximately 3000 litres of water to

prevent floating.

The water should be inserted on both sides of the baffle in equal

amounts to prevent the baffle shifting sideways!


Irrigation Requirements

The clean effluent is discharged from the irrigation chamber via a 25mm

poly pipe to feed a series of spray heads. These are placed at strategic

positions to suit your requirements. A standard layout can be varied but

will be an additional cost to the customer.

The minimum area to be set aside for irrigation purposes at present

(called the dedicated area) is 200m2. The area maybe any confiquration

provided it adds up to the minimum area in total. This allows for some

innovative landscaping and ensures any new plantings make staggering

growth in the early years. The 2 nutrients Nitrogen and Phosphorus, are

taken up by the soil and plants.

In some situations such as steep, rocky areas, the Health Officer may

require you to terrace the garden and add friable soil and/or pine bark.

Irrigation of recreational areas or vegetable gardens is not allowed.

Under certain circumstances, fruit trees may be irrigated. Discharge to

storm water drains is not allowed, unless by agreement with the Council.

Ideally the dedicated area should have a vegetative cover so that

effluent can be taken up by the plants and evaporated.

Note: The irrigation design is very flexible. We can provide automatic

switching equipment, variable output drippers or combinations or subsoil

(in ground) drippers. These are provided at an additional cost.

Standard Irrigation Kit

BioCycle will install the irrigation

line(s) in a pattern negotiated

with the customer and the

Environmental Officer. If any of

the line is to be buried then this is

the responsibility of the customer

(the customer may have this done

on a ‘do and charge’ basis).

The Final Effluent Quality

BOD (biological demand)

less than 20ppm

SS (suspended solids)

less than 30ppm

ECOLI (bacteria)

less than 10 per 100ml

Free Chlorine

greater than .05ppm

The above specifications are

required under the Act.

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Standard Equipment

50m of 25mm poly irrigation line

• 20 short brass spray heads flush with the pipe of 10-20 Dan sprays

sitting in stakes (or a combination, plus drippers)

• Pump head to 5m total (alternative pumps available for greater heights)

• Power Consumption (standard pump) approximately 3 amps (750 watts)

Note: This pump only runs for a short period each day.

The pump is equipped with a float. This starts when the water has risen

to a set level. The pump stops when the water level is low. Higher head

pumps are extra.

Blower Specifications

Blower 70-80litres/min (domestic)

Power Consumption 70-80watts (0.07kw)

The BioCycle Chlorinator

Within the chlorinators a weir has been set and calibrated to enable the

required amount of chlorine to be taken up.

Normally water usage in an average household is 600 litres/day. The

chlorinator canisters hold up to 30 tablets each, which is sufficient tor

6 months use. Normally we only load the canisters for a 4 month period.

This allows a safety margin as we service regularly every 3 months.


Periods of Vacancy

While the BioCycle design allows the system to perform for many months

without any input of waste provided the power is left on, we would like

to be advised if the system will be out of use for longer than 3 months. It

may be advisable to place the system into “sleep” mode.

Alarm and Fail Safe Operation

The customer is supplied with a small alarm plate, which looks similar

to a double light switch. This must be installed by the electrician in a

prominent position within the house preferably in the kitchen where it can

be both seen and heard.

This alarm has 2 red lights and a buzzer. The lights are marked “Water”

and “Air”.

If the water level becomes too high (possible pump failure) or the blower

stops then the buzzer will sound and the appropriate light is activated.

The tank has approximately one days extra capacity if the pump fails

before the system will overflow. Action however needs to be taken

immediately a problem is discerned.

Electrical Circuit Specifications

This aerobic treatment system

requires two circuits, both of

which may be run in the same

24mm conduit.

The conduit must be

run to the terminal box mounted

on the side of

the electrical control box

on the treatment tank.

The terminal box has a

25mm conduit entry.

The circuits required are as

follows:

• A dedicated circuit of 2.5mm

conductor size. Active, neutral

and earth

• The circuit is to connect the

switchboard to the terminal box

on the system

• This circuit must be protected by

a 16amp MAXIMUM re-wirable

fuse or a 20amp MAXIMUM

circuit breaker or H.R.C fuse

• A 1.0mm twin cable connects

the 240 volt alarm plate in the

house to the terminal box

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Ground Cover

Ferns

Preitia Pedunculata

Mosses

Scaecola Albida

Isoltoma Axillaris

Hibbertia

Procumbens

Lobelia Alata

Scleran Thus Biflorus

Viola Hederacea

Mazus Pumilo

Plants to 1m

Boronia Muelleri

Prostanthers

Cuneata

Brachyacome

Muitifida

Westringia Senifolia

Restio Astralis

Bavera Rubioides

Plants to 2m

Baeckea Linifolia

Bavera Sessili Flora

Banksia Ericfolia

Grevillea Australis

Banksia Robur

Grevillea Victoriae

Correa Aemula

Hakea Salicifolia

Prostanthera Linearis

Hakea Seriosa

Leptosperum

Flavescens

Leptosperum

Scoparium

Plants to 2m Plus

Nothofagus

Cunninghamii

Eucalyptus Globulus

Acacia Fioibunda

Eucalyptus Dulchella

Acacia Elongata

Eucalyptus

Botryoides

Casuarina

Cunninghamiana

Eucalyptus Ovata

Callistemor Citrinus

Telepea Truneata

Callistemor Pallidus

Tristania Conferta

Callistemor Siegeri

Melaleaca Thymifolia

Melaleaca Armillaris

Melaleaca

Styphelioides

Melaleaca Laterita

Recommended Plants for use with AWTS


Domestic&Commercial Plumbing ServiCeS

Solahart Hot WaterThe market leader in solar hot water

HelicolSolar pool heating free from the sun

bioCycle Water TreatmentThe environmentally friendly wastewater treatment

general Plumbing ServicesHelp when you need it most – on call 24 hours

Composting ToiletsWaterless, odourless & environmentally friendly

industrialLarge project or small, we’re the specialists

Contact us18 Invermay Rd Launceston TAS 7248 PO Box 140 Mowbray Heights TAS 7248

P: 03) 6334 0617 - 24 Hours F: 03) 6334 2593

[email protected]

Water Tank InstallationWash your car, water your plants, save on water bills

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