30 FEATURE
“ Our Bio-mite products are often compared to the price of a septic tank , but they are much more ; they include a septic tank , a bioreactor , settlement chamber and disinfection tank . The Bio-mite range consists of wastewater treatment plants that process wastewater — which includes black and greywater — to a specified quality , typically to reuse for irrigation and other non-potable applications .”
Calcamite products can be configured to produce effluent of specified quality and are easy to operate and maintain . They are durable , with a design lifespan of around 30 years , and can accommodate from four to 500 people .
Calcamite / JoJo
“ Our mantra is that they provide solutions that protect a precious , life-giving resource and further advance water security to help safeguard the wellbeing of individuals , their communities and the environment ,” says Neser . “ Our country ’ s wastewater treatment works are not going to improve dramatically any time soon . Each of us has a duty to take control of how we manage wastewater ,” Neser concludes .
Calcamite .
housing and business estates , many companies and homeowners are opting for onsite sanitation and domestic wastewater treatment ,” says Neser . “ Like with water harvesting and solar , we believe the demand for onsite sanitation and domestic wastewater treatment will continue to increase as users opt to take greater control of their own services . Because wastewater management is pretty much invisible as it is out of sight after it goes down the drain it is also out of mind . We want to change that mindset .”
If one looks at a septic tank , which is a simple wastewater management solution , it needs suitable ground conditions for the soakaway to allow the partially treated water to seep into the soil for further processing in this environment . Many places do not have these ground conditions and as the septic tank only does anaerobic processing , you run the very real danger of polluting the ground water aquifers , such as the massive aquifers that run across Gauteng which supply much of our municipal water .
The Standard SANS 10400-Q : 2011 , non-water-borne means of sanitary disposal . This standard calls up number of standards for concrete works , masonry , cement plaster and importantly SANS 10252 Part 2 , Drainage installations for buildings as well as 10400 Part P Drainage .
Sanitary disposal covers , Chemical toilets , Pail toilets , VIP toilets . The fundamental means of disposal in the standard makes it clear that the storage , conveyance processing and disposal of wastewater , including human waste , is done in a manner that does not compromise the health and safety of the user and in the case of chemical toilets there must be a satisfactory method of removal of sewage from the container .
Pail toilets are an abomination to humans and the fact that they even existed is a poor reflection on the relevant department and local authorities even before democracy . If these still exist they must be dealt with and disposed of with great urgency .
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline March 2023 Volume 29 I Number 1