Overall, septic tanks might not be the most glamorous thing to talk about, but they're an important part of keeping our wastewater under control and protecting our environment.

They help to treat wastewater in areas where there is no access to (or prior to) a public sewer system. Without septic tanks, all the wastewater from homes and buildings would be released directly into the environment – we don’t want that.

Wastewater can also contain harmful pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, that can cause illness if they are not properly treated. Septic tanks provide a way to break down these pathogens and remove them from the wastewater before it is released back into the environment.

Septic tanks can also help to conserve water. In areas where water is scarce, like Australia, septic tanks can be used to collect and treat wastewater for reuse in irrigation or other non-potable applications. This reduces the demand for fresh water and helps to conserve this vital resource.