A solution to manage septic tanks on mining and industrial sites, residential estates, office parks, and hospitality establishments aims to help ensure compliance with statutory waste disposal requirements.

The Sanisure solution from Sanitech has been designed in response to urgent calls for responsible waste management amidst rising industry challenges.

The company says that recent industry trends show an increase in waste disposal providers resorting to illegal waste discharge because of higher tariffs imposed by municipal wastewater treatment works. The risk of septic tank overflow, and the hazards associated with illegal waste disposal include environmental contamination, health risks for employees, residents and customers, foul odours and property damage, all of which can lead to regulatory and legal consequences, operational disruptions, and downtime.

“Mitigating the risks associated with septic tank management is essential to maintain a safe and sustainable business or residential environment, and here, it is imperative to reiterate that every waste generator bears the liability for any illegal disposal of waste. The principle of ‘cradle to grave responsibility’ applies even where waste is transferred to another party, holding septic tank waste generators accountable until the waste is legally disposed of,” says Sanitech MD Robert Erasmus.

Non-compliance with waste disposal regulations carries significant sanctions, including fines and imprisonment, in addition to costs associated with environmental rehabilitation in the case of water contamination. These penalties extend not only to the company but also to its employees and directors in their personal capacity, explains the company.

“We strongly urge organisations that are reliant on septic tanks for sanitation to ensure that they obtain the necessary documentation from their waste transporter and disposer to prove that waste has been legally disposed of,” emphasises Erasmus.

Sanitec’s Sanisure solution aims to reduce the reliance on manual inspections for septic tank waste management and maintenance. It is designed to establish the liquid level of septic tanks using state-of-the-art monitoring devices connected to a national network. This system helps to provide predictable and proactive management, enables effective planned maintenance, and helps to reduce the risk of overflow.

“When the liquid level reaches a specified threshold, typically 80%, the system triggers an alert, enabling timely service and maintenance scheduling to prevent tank overflows,” explains Erasmus.

"By integrating this technology into our service offerings, we aim to streamline operations for businesses in the mining and industrial verticals, residential estates, office parks, and hospitality establishments, while giving them the means to meet their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) obligations," he says.

The solution aims to addresses critical operational challenges while aligning with ESG objectives. By efficiently managing septic systems and mitigating risks associated with overflows, organisations can contribute to environmental sustainability and responsible waste management.

“Sanitech's innovative approach combines technology, reliability, and cost-effectiveness to promote safer and more sustainable working and living environments, effectively managing waste on behalf of customers, and closing the loop on the ‘cradle to the grave’ responsibility,” concludes Erasmus.