If you live on a rural or semi-rural property in New South Wales, it’s likely that your home uses a septic tank or an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS) to manage household wastewater. These systems work silently underground, but at times—especially during servicing, inspections, landscaping, or system issues—you’ll need to locate them.
Knowing where your septic system is located is more important than many homeowners realise. At Eco Septic, we’ve helped thousands of NSW residents install, maintain, and troubleshoot their wastewater treatment systems. One of the most common questions we hear from new homeowners or tenants is: “How do I find my septic tank?”
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about locating your septic system—whether it’s for maintenance, council inspections, or just peace of mind.
Why Septic Tank Location Matters
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about why finding your septic tank is so important:
- Servicing and Maintenance: AWTS systems in NSW are required by law to be serviced every 3 months. Knowing where your system is located makes access easy for technicians.
- Prevention of Damage: Many homeowners unknowingly damage their septic systems during landscaping or renovations. Avoid digging or driving over tank locations.
- Emergency Repairs: If your system overflows, backs up, or stops working, quick access is essential.
- Property Valuation & Sales: Knowing the exact location and type of wastewater system is useful when selling your home or getting property inspections.
1. Start with the Paperwork
The easiest place to start is with your property documents. Look for:
- Building Plans or Blueprints: These often show the layout of your home and wastewater system.
- Installation Records: If Eco Septic or another licensed installer fitted the system, there may be diagrams or location maps in your documentation.
- Council Records: Your local NSW council should have a copy of your system approval and installation documentation.
Many homes in NSW require council approval before installation of septic or AWTS systems. Contacting your local council’s environmental or health department may lead you to a map or service diagram showing your system location.
2. Walk the Property – Look for Physical Clues
If documents aren’t available, the next step is to physically inspect your yard for signs of your tank.
Here’s what to look for:
a. Surface Lids or Risers
Modern septic and AWTS systems installed by Eco Septic often have surface-access risers to make servicing easy. These are round or square lids, usually made of concrete or heavy-duty plastic, that sit flush with or slightly above the ground.
b. Lush or Uneven Grass
If your lawn has a patch of greener, faster-growing grass, it could indicate wastewater seepage from a tank or drain field. Conversely, uneven settling or small dips in the ground may point to a buried tank.
c. Pipes and Vents
Some systems have visible vent pipes or inspection ports that protrude slightly above ground. These may be located near the tank or in the drainage area (also called a transpiration or absorption area).
3. Trace Plumbing Lines from Inside the House
One of the most reliable ways to locate your tank is to follow your plumbing lines.
- Find where your main sewer line exits your house—often in a laundry, bathroom, or near your kitchen.
- Stand outside this wall and walk in a straight line outward.
- Your tank is usually located 1.5 to 3 metres away from the home.
Eco Septic systems in NSW are often positioned for easy access, typically along this direct line from the home’s sewer exit point.
4. Use a Soil Probe
A soil probe is a long, thin rod that helps you test for changes in soil density. When used carefully, it can help locate underground tanks by feeling for solid resistance (such as concrete or plastic lids).
Be gentle—don’t jam the probe in too hard, as you could damage pipes or system components. If you detect a large flat surface about 60–90 cm underground, it might be the tank lid.
If you don’t feel confident using a probe, Eco Septic’s professional service team can locate and mark your tank safely.
5. Consider the Age of the Property
Older properties may have legacy systems buried deep underground, or without risers that make access easy. In these cases, locating the system can be even harder—especially if the yard has been landscaped multiple times.
Many NSW homes built before 1990 used large concrete tanks without risers, making them more difficult to spot from the surface. If your property is older and hasn’t had system upgrades, this could be the case.
Tip: If you suspect your system hasn’t been serviced in years, now’s the time to call Eco Septic for a full inspection and upgrade consultation.
6. Use Technology: Metal Detectors, Drain Cameras & Locators
In cases where manual detection is difficult, technology can help.
Metal Detectors
If your tank has a metal lid or access point, a detector can pick it up. Note: newer systems often use concrete or poly materials which won’t register.
CCTV Drain Cameras
Running a drain camera through your plumbing can show where the line exits the house and where it connects to the tank. Eco Septic offers drain inspections as part of our comprehensive service.
Locator Tools
Professional locators use radio-frequency transmitters to trace underground lines. This is one of the fastest and least invasive ways to pinpoint a tank.
7. Don’t Guess – Call the Experts
When in doubt, it’s best to call in the professionals. Eco Septic’s licensed technicians service all areas of NSW and have the experience and equipment to locate any septic tank or AWTS system—old or new, residential or commercial.
Whether you’ve recently bought a property, lost the installation documents, or need to prepare for a council inspection, we can help.
We offer:
- Septic system location services
- System inspections and reports
- Regular 3-month servicing for AWTS
- Repairs, upgrades, and spare parts
- Installation of new systems and conversions
Additional Tips for Septic System Management in NSW
Once you’ve found your tank, here’s how to keep things running smoothly:
Keep Access Clear
Don’t cover access lids with soil, turf, or pavers. Technicians need to access the tank every 3 months for AWTS systems in NSW.
Don’t Drive Over It
Avoid driving or parking heavy vehicles on top of your septic or drainage area—this can cause structural damage.
Mark It
Once you’ve located your tank, place a permanent marker nearby, like a garden stake or decorative rock. It’ll save time and guesswork later.
Keep a Septic System File
Create a folder with any plans, service reports, photos, or council documents related to your system. This will come in handy when selling the home or doing renovations.
Common Questions About Septic Systems in NSW
Q: How far is the septic tank from the house?
A: Most tanks are 1.5 to 3 metres from the home, following a straight line from the plumbing exit point.
Q: How deep is my septic tank?
A: Tanks are typically buried 45 to 90 cm underground, depending on the installation date and landscaping.
Q: Can I find the tank myself?
A: Yes, using clues like grass growth, soil dips, and surface lids—but if you’re unsure, call Eco Septic to avoid damaging anything.
Q: Is it legal to dig up my septic tank?
A: Yes, on your property—but for health and safety reasons, we recommend calling a licensed professional.
Why Choose Eco Septic?
With decades of experience in NSW, Eco Septic is one of the state’s most trusted providers of wastewater treatment systems. Our products are Australian-made, built for our climate, and tailored to the specific needs of rural and regional properties.
We’re proud to offer:
- AWTS and Septic Tank Systems
- Rainwater tanks and firefighting tanks
- Pump wells and OSD solutions
- Spare parts and upgrades
- Friendly service across NSW
Whether you need help finding your system, upgrading to a newer model, or servicing your existing unit, we’re just a phone call away.
📞 Call Eco Septic now on 1800 808 135
🌐 Or visit www.ecoseptic.com.au
