Septic Tank Installation in Whangarei and Northland
New and replacement septic systems for rural homes, lifestyle blocks and baches, supplied and installed by a certified Hynds and Duracrete installer.
021 0236 9667- Certifying drainlayer
- Certified Hynds and Duracrete installer
- Free quotes in Whangarei
Septic systems for rural Northland properties
Much of Northland isn’t connected to a town sewer, so for many homes the septic system is one of the most important parts of the property. A well-designed, well-installed system works quietly in the background for years. A poor one causes smells, soggy ground and costly repairs, and it can put waterways at risk.
Drainspec is a family-run business based in Whangarei, installing septic systems right across Northland. Our work is carried out by a certifying drainlayer, we’re a certified installer for Hynds and Duracrete, and we look after every job from quote to sign-off.
We install septic systems for
- New homes on rural sections and lifestyle blocks
- Old or failing septic tanks that need replacing
- Renovations or extensions that add bedrooms and need a bigger system
- Baches and holiday homes
- Subdivisions, and properties being bought or sold with an older system
Types of septic systems
The right system for your property depends on your soil, the size and slope of your section, how many people it needs to serve and what your consent requires. Your wastewater engineer’s design sets out exactly what’s needed, and we install to that design. The main options are:
| System | How it works | Suits | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard septic tank | Solids settle in the tank and the liquid flows out to a disposal field in the ground | Larger sections with good soil and plenty of space | Regular pump-outs and outlet filter cleaning |
| Concrete dual chamber tank | Two chambers separate solids more effectively before the liquid goes to the disposal field | Sites where the design calls for better primary treatment | Regular pump-outs and outlet filter cleaning |
| Secondary treatment system | Adds oxygen and extra treatment stages, so the water leaving the system is much cleaner | Smaller sections, poor soils, sites near water, or where consent requires it | Regular servicing to the manufacturer’s schedule |
We supply and install all three types. Secondary treatment systems and concrete dual chamber tanks each have their own page with more detail, linked further down. If you’re not sure which applies to you, your wastewater design will say.
Brands we install
We install septic tanks and treatment systems from Duracrete, Hynds and Wade. Duracrete is the brand we use most, including its CleanStream TXR secondary treatment system, and we install Hynds and Wade systems where the design calls for them. Each brand has its own installation requirements, and as a certified Hynds and Duracrete installer, we’re trained in them. That matters for the owner, because a system installed to the manufacturer’s requirements is far more likely to perform the way it was designed to.
What affects the cost of a septic system
Every site is different, so we quote each job individually. The main things that affect the price are:
- 01 System type and size a secondary treatment system costs more than a standard tank, and larger households need larger systems
- 02 Site access whether a truck and digger can get close to where the tank is going
- 03 Soil and ground conditions clay, rock and high water tables all affect the digging and the disposal field
- 04 Distance how far the tank and disposal field are from the house
- 05 Disposal field the size and type the design calls for, such as trenches, beds or drip irrigation
- 06 Consent requirements some sites have extra conditions to meet
- 07 Location travel time for sites further from Whangarei
Quotes are free in Whangarei and the surrounding area. For remote Northland sites, we offer a drainage report for $499 + GST, which gives you a clear picture of what’s needed before any work starts. Either way, you’ll know what the job involves before you commit.
Design and consent
A new or replacement septic system needs a building consent from your district council. Before that, a wastewater engineer or designer assesses the site, tests the soil and designs a system to suit. The design forms part of your consent application, and the council checks it before approving the work.
Northland Regional Council also has rules for the treated wastewater your system releases into the ground. Under the Regional Plan for Northland, many household systems don’t need a separate resource consent, as long as the system is designed to the Australian/New Zealand standard for on-site wastewater (AS/NZS 1547:2012) and meets the plan’s conditions. These cover how much wastewater is discharged each day, the slope of the disposal area and how far it sits from streams, the coast, water bores and your boundary. If a site can’t meet them, a resource consent from the regional council is needed as well, and your wastewater engineer will tell you early on.
Most owners have their design done before they contact us. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need to engage a wastewater engineer or designer first, and we can talk you through what the design needs to cover. Once the design and consent are in place, we install the system to the approved plans and certify the work.
How the job works
Here’s what to expect from first contact to sign-off.
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1Get in touch Call us, or send the form below with photos of the site and a copy of your plans if you have them.
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2Site design If you don't have a design yet, a wastewater engineer assesses the site and designs the system.
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3Quote We quote the job based on the approved design, so you know exactly what's included.
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4Consent The design goes to council as part of the building consent, along with any resource consent needed.
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5Installation We install the tank, pipework and disposal field to the approved design.
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6Inspection and sign-off Council inspects the work and we provide the certification needed for sign-off.
Why choose Drainspec for your septic system
Looking after your septic system
A septic system relies on natural bacteria to break down waste, so what goes down the drain makes a big difference.
Watch for warning signs such as slow drains, bad smells, gurgling or wet, lush patches over the disposal field. Drainspec doesn’t offer septic servicing, so pump-outs and regular maintenance should be booked with a septic servicing company. For secondary treatment systems, servicing is usually arranged through the manufacturer’s own service agents when you buy the system. If servicing shows a problem with the tank or disposal field, we can assess it and quote on a repair or replacement.
A few habits help it last
- Only flush toilet paper. Wipes, sanitary products and paper towels don't break down.
- Go easy on bleach and harsh cleaners, which kill the bacteria the system needs.
- Spread washing loads through the week rather than doing them all in one day.
- Keep vehicles and livestock off the disposal field, and don't build over it.
- Plant grass or shallow-rooted plants over the disposal field, not trees.
Septic tank FAQs
Can’t see your question? Call us on 021 0236 9667.
Yes. Installing a new or replacement septic system needs a building consent from your district council, whether that’s Whangarei, Far North or Kaipara. Many systems don’t need a separate resource consent from Northland Regional Council, provided they meet the Regional Plan’s conditions for design, size and setbacks. Your wastewater engineer will confirm whether your site needs one.
A wastewater engineer or designer assesses your site, tests the soil and designs a system to suit. The design is submitted with your building consent. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll need to engage a wastewater engineer or designer before the system can be consented.
A standard septic tank separates solids from the liquid, which then soaks into the ground through a disposal field. A secondary treatment system adds extra treatment stages, so the water it releases is much cleaner. Secondary systems are usually needed on smaller sections, poor soils or sites close to water.
It depends on the type of system, the size of the disposal field, the ground and the weather, so there isn’t a typical figure. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe with your quote. If anything changes once work starts, we’ll keep you updated.
Yes. We replace old, damaged and failing septic tanks, often with a modern concrete tank or a secondary treatment system. A replacement usually needs a new design and building consent. We can look at your existing system and talk you through the options.
It depends on the size of the tank, the number of people in the house and the type of system. Your system’s manual or a septic servicing company can tell you the right interval for your property. The Regional Plan for Northland requires on-site systems to be maintained in line with the manufacturer’s specifications, so it pays to keep a record of each service. In Kaipara, the district council’s bylaw requires septic tanks to be pumped out every three years and aerated systems to be inspected every year.
Yes, we install septic systems right across Northland. Quotes are free in Whangarei and the surrounding area. For remote sites, we offer a drainage report for $499 + GST, which saves an extra trip and gives you a clear plan before work starts.
Get a free septic quote
Tell us a little about your property and what you need, whether it’s a new system or a replacement. If you have a wastewater design or building plans, send them through with a few photos of the site.
We reply to every enquiry within one working day.
