When a building goes up, we often don’t think about what it takes to support that structure. In fact, you more often hear grumblings afterwards, about how new developments such as townhouse complexes or office parks are placing heavy strain on the surrounding municipal infrastructure.

Smart and proactive developers do not leave the burden on the city. Instead they invest in large commercial septic systems.

Who would need a large commercial septic system?

There are a number of situations where a commercial septic tank system should be considered. If you are developing an estate that will see a lot of human activity, you should weigh the possibility that the municipal system may not only be inadequate, but could also send heavy rates bills your way.

For example, office parks, residential compounds and any large building would be better off if it has its own septic system in place. In cases where there is no means to reach the municipal grid, a large commercial septic system is a must.

Owning your own large commercial septic system also enables the development to recycle water, which both cuts costs and adds to green credentials. For example, a well-designed septic system could ultimately help water surrounding gardens, thus beautifying the project without relying heavily on commercial of borehole water sources.

What should be considered when ordering such a system?

There is a distinction between large commercial systems and other choices. Many smaller residential projects won’t benefit from going too big. At the same time, those smaller systems have several component and technological differences to large commercial systems. So don’t assume you just need more of one thing. A large commercial septic system is a very specific family of products.

If possible, purchase the system directly from a manufacturer such as Calcamite. Not only can they advise on the correct choices for your project, but they are able to create custom designs suited to your needs.

Look at the purpose of the system. For example, a school or office park will see most of the waste flow during weekday business hours, whereas a large roadside service station can anticipate constant activity. These elements will influence what you need.

The number of tanks, as well as required drain fields, are also important, so keep the amount of space required in mind. Large commercial septic systems require earthmoving equipment for installation and they be planned alongside the buildings that will be erected. These are not systems that can be easily shoehorned into a project later on, not without a lot of cost and disruption.

Finally, pay close attention to environmental regulations, as well as the credentials of the installer. Both have to be up to scratch, because if the system goes bad later it will not be easy to remedy.

What else should you know?

Modern large commercial septic systems are very resilient and have few moving parts. But they still require regular maintenance. You must make it a priority to discuss these procedures and costs with your supplier. A poorly maintained septic system can shut down any site very quickly and even attract hefty fines.

Just as key is knowing the warranty of the tanks and systems. Good commercial septic systems must last as long as the buildings they services – so these have to be resilient for decades. Replacing underground tanks is very tricky and expensive. Whatever costs you cut corners on at the start will come back to bite the development tenfold.