As far as septic systems go,
NZ is sitting on a ticking time-bomb.
A lot of the systems that were installed here in the 1950's and 1960's are now starting to breakdown.
This is over and above the fact that to a certain degree the outflow from these tanks was of extremely poor quality and with the systems of that era that are still in use, they are slowly polluting the aquifers here.
If you want to install a septic tank system, you are limited to a few certain designs these days, these new systems have an outflow of almost pure water (although I wouldn't drink it).
Local councils here are very hot on this sort of thing.
One guy here locally was made to remove his newly installed tank, because he never read the Resource Consent that came with the permit for the septic installation.
Silly Boy!.
