Natural septic tank: what solutions are available for your home?

Natural septic tank, the solutions that exist

Today, the concept of ‘green attitude’ affects different sectors, including sanitation systems. Among the individual sanitation options, some stand out for their more ecological approach. The natural septic tank is an individual sanitation device based on natural and biological methods of treating wastewater.

They are clearly different from traditional septic tanks which rely mainly on chemicals. The ecological versions use specific plants and natural substrates to filter and purify the water, which preserves human health and the soil ecosystem. A septic tank is thus called natural when it:

• does not require energy,
• offers excellent purification performance,
• is environmentally friendly.

Recognised solutions include the compact filter, the planted filter and the micro-treatment plant. The compact filter, generally installed after a septic tank, uses a filtering bed often made up of natural materials such as coconut fibre. The planted filter system can be suitable for both individual houses and communities. It is essentially based on the principle of phyto-purification.

As for micro purification stations, although most are electric, there are more and more autonomous models that do not require energy. These are considered natural septic tanks and also offer excellent purification performance.

Adopt phyto-purification as a natural septic tank

If you would like to have an individual sanitation system that is both natural and effective for the collection and treatment of your grey and black water, you can opt for phyto-purification. What exactly does it involve?

What is phyto-purification?

Also known as lagooning, phyto-purification is a sanitation system that uses plants and bacteria to treat wastewater. The mechanism of phyto-purification is based on the use of plants such as reeds, purple loosestrife and water mint, which act as a ‘vertical filter’ to purify wastewater. This system is suitable for all properties because it requires less space for installation. You will need 2m² per population equivalent to set up this natural sanitation system in your garden.

How does the phyto-purification tank work?

An ecological wastewater treatment plant works on a simple process, similar to that of a traditional individual sanitation system. The first stage of the process is the pre-treatment of wastewater. This can be done in a septic tank or in a vertical filter with perennial plants such as reeds.

This process is particularly effective at eliminating nitrates and phosphates: this is the chemical treatment phase. At the same time, a biological treatment uses bacteria to break down the sludge at the level of the plant roots. This sludge is transformed into nutrients that can be assimilated by the plants which in turn provide the oxygen essential for the survival of the bacteria.

At the end of the cycle, the filtered water is clean and odourless, and can be reused for watering the garden. Similarly, the compost recovered from the surface of the first treatment basin provides a valuable resource for enriching the soil in flowerbeds and around ornamental trees.

What are the advantages of phyto-purification?

The phyto-purification system is a type of bio-septic tank that has significant advantages. It is an individual treatment plant that does not generate any odour pollution. Thanks to the complete degradation of materials in contact with oxygen, the process produces water vapour and humus, which makes the result odourless.

In addition to its effectiveness, the phyto-purification basin has the advantage of embellishing your outdoor space (garden) thanks to the purifying plants. Moreover, there is no need to replant the plants during the lifespan of the station. This makes its management very practical and you can even integrate it perfectly into your garden.

The efficiency of the system also contributes to the preservation of groundwater and surface water by avoiding any form of pollution. The other major advantage that reinforces the ecological character of phyto-purification is its ability to function completely autonomously without electrical energy.

Call on the expertise of Aquatiris to install your phyto-purification station

Aquatiris is the French benchmark for phyto-purification. We have been Aquaplus-certified since 2018. This certification rewards our commitment to sustainable development, highlighting our compliance with quality, safety, environmental and social responsibility standards. Our ‘Sanitation Garden’ range provides you with an efficient phyto-purification system, with the assurance of zero tanks, zero foul odours and zero mosquitoes.

Whether you choose our Roseaux, Iris (ATec-certified) or Carex range, our passionate experts will assist you from the planning to the realisation of your project. For an individual home, our experienced team is ready to offer you a customised ecological solution.

At Aquatiris, you can install your phyto-purification basin at a competitive price, ranging from 11,000 to 16,000 euros. This initial cost may seem significant, but it represents a profitable investment in both ecological and financial terms in the long term. Once in place, our natural septic tank solution will save you expensive emptying and maintenance costs. Contact us now for a free quote and to consider an ecological and sustainable approach to sanitation.

Installation of a natural tank for grey water: the administrative procedures

If you are tempted by the option of a more ecological tank, your first step will be to obtain a declaration of installation of an autonomous sanitation system from your local council. This file, which is required by the municipal authorities, demands a detailed explanation of the characteristics of your land as well as the principles of the purification system that you have selected.

To maximise your chances of approval, seek the assistance of a design office to support your approach. The aim is to clearly demonstrate that your approach is not a random DIY solution as natural sanitation is a serious matter. The regulations specify that the installations must not present any risk of contamination or pollution of the water. They also insist that the sanitation must be entrusted to a specialised company.

How do you maintain natural septic tanks?

Depending on the type of natural septic tank you choose, different maintenance will be required.

The phyto-purification system

Most households often opt for a phyto-purification system, characterised by pre-treatment using a vertical planted reed bed. As for maintenance, regularly alternate the circulation of water in the parts of the basins planted with reeds. In addition, the reeds need to be pruned annually and the surface compost must be removed every ten years.

In the second basin, control the growth of the often expansive bamboo by cutting it every four years. These tasks, although relatively light for those who like to take care of their homes and gardens, can be off-putting for some. In some cases, the solution could be to collaborate with neighbours to set up a small collective facility rather than having several individual facilities.

The ecological micro-treatment plant

For optimal operation of your micro-natural treatment plant, carry out regular inspections of the equipment. In particular, you must check the sludge levels and make sure that the treatment devices are in good condition. Cleaning the filters and pre-filters is also an important step in eliminating any blockages and maintaining optimal water flow.

In addition, the periodic emptying of accumulated sludge is necessary to prevent the risk of clogging. At the same time, the use of biological products specifically designed for eco-friendly micro-treatment plants can promote the development of beneficial bacteria that participate in the treatment process.

The septic tank

In order to ensure the proper functioning of the septic tank, meticulous maintenance involves several important steps. Regularly clean and empty the pre-filters and grease trap. Periodic inspection of the levels and of the proper functioning of the tank via the inspection holes is also essential.

Frequent visual inspection of the tank is recommended, and if possible, the level of sludge and deposits can be measured using an odometer or, failing that, a long stick. The installation must be emptied as soon as the surface of the tank is 50% full of sludge, i.e. every 4 to 5 years. Please note that in addition to checking the level of deposits, all other work must be entrusted to qualified professionals. This will ensure efficient and safe maintenance of your septic tank.