Septic tank upgrades
in Tasmania.
Replacing an ageing septic tank with a modern
wastewater treatment system.
Designed, installed and decommissioned by one team,
including the council approvals.
Howrah Plumbing replaces ageing septic tanks across Tasmania with modern aerated wastewater treatment systems. On-site wastewater sits under the Building Act 2016 and needs a plumbing permit and council approval before anything goes in the ground. We assess the site, design the system, handle the permit and decommission the old tank.
Why choose Howrah Plumbing
Council managed
Permits and approvals handled for you.
CBOS compliant
Systems that meet the Building Act 2016.
Since 1982
Tasmanian-owned. 50+ local staff. 45+ vehicles.
Design to sign-off
One team, start to finish.
01 / Warning signs
Is your septic
tank failing?
Septic tanks don't usually fail overnight. They tell you first.
-
Foul odours
Around the tank, the trench or the yard generally. -
Wet, spongy patches
Ground that stays soft when it hasn't rained. -
Gurgling drains
Air struggling back through a system that can't clear. -
Slow drainage
Sinks, showers and toilets all draining sluggishly. -
Sewage backing up
The point at which it stops being a maintenance question. -
More frequent pump-outs
Needing the tank emptied more often than you used to.
Any of these and the system is worth assessing, for your household's health and for the groundwater.
02 / Why upgrade
Why upgrade from
a septic tank.
An old concrete tank holds wastewater. A modern system treats it. That difference is what the council, the groundwater and the next owner all care about.
Environmental protection
Modern systems treat wastewater on site instead of letting it seep away.
Regulatory compliance
Systems that meet current council and Building Act requirements.
Treated water you can reuse
Treated effluent can be reused for irrigation where the site allows.
Long-term reliability
Built to a standard an old concrete tank never was.
03 / The replacement
What replaces an
old septic system.
Usually an aerated wastewater treatment system: a tank that actively treats wastewater rather than simply holding it, producing water clean enough to irrigate with.
We assess the site, design a system that suits the block, install it, and decommission the old tank. Residential properties, and larger sites like holiday parks and tourism accommodation.
Servicing an existing system?04 / Compliance
Permits, council and
the Building Act.
On-site wastewater in Tasmania sits under the Building Act 2016, and a replacement needs a plumbing permit and council approval before anything goes in the ground.
We handle all of it: the permit application, the council communication and the sign-off. It is the part people dread and the part we do most often.
Talk to us about your property05 / Where we work
Septic tank upgrades
across Tasmania.
Based at Mornington with an office in Hobart, working across Southern Tasmania: the Channel, the Huon, the Coal River valley, the East Coast and the shack country in between.
View all areas06 / Common questions
Septic tank
questions, answered.
How do I know if my septic tank needs replacing?
Odours, soggy ground, slow drains, gurgling, sewage backing up, or needing more frequent pump-outs. Any of those and it's worth having the system assessed rather than waiting for it to fail properly.
What's involved in replacing a septic tank?
A site assessment first, then system design, a plumbing permit and council approval, installation, and decommissioning of the old tank. We manage each step, including the council side.
Do I need council approval to replace a septic system?
Yes. On-site wastewater in Tasmania falls under the Building Act 2016 and needs a plumbing permit before work starts. We handle the application and the council communication.
What replaces a septic tank?
Usually an aerated wastewater treatment system, which treats the wastewater on site rather than just containing it. The treated water can typically be reused for irrigation.
How long does an upgrade take?
The installation itself is usually quick. The approval process is the part that sets the timeline, which is why we start it early and manage it for you.
Can you upgrade septic systems on commercial properties?
Yes, including holiday parks and tourism accommodation, where the same compliance requirements apply on a larger scale.
07 / Next step
Old septic tank?
Let's talk.
Assessment, design, installation and council approvals across Southern Tasmania.