Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: November 2026

These Terms and Conditions govern the supply of products, installation services, maintenance services, design services, repairs, and associated works provided by Canterbury Septic Tanks ("we", "us", "our").

By accepting a quotation, engaging our services, purchasing products, or using this website, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

1. Company Information

Canterbury Septic Tanksww.canterburyseptictanks.co.nz

2. Services

Canterbury Septic Tanks provides wastewater and drainage services including, but not limited to:

• Septic tank supply and installation

• Wastewater treatment systems

• Pump stations

• Sand filters

• Dripline dispersal systems

• Low-pressure pipe systems

• Land application and dispersal fields

• System repairs and upgrades

• Pump and blower replacement

• Maintenance and servicing

• Wastewater design and reporting

• Excavation and associated civil works

3. Quotations

Unless stated otherwise:

• Quotations are valid for 30 days.

• Quotations are based on information available at the time they are prepared.

• Quotations may include assumptions regarding site access, soil conditions, groundwater levels, existing infrastructure, and third-party information.

• Additional work not expressly included in the quotation may incur additional charges.

Acceptance of a quotation constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

4. Deposits and Payment

4.1 Septic Tank and Wastewater System Installations

For new septic tank installations, wastewater treatment systems, pump stations, and complete wastewater system replacements:

• An 80% deposit is payable upon acceptance of the quotation and before equipment or materials are ordered.

• Equipment and materials will not be ordered until the deposit has been received in full.

• The deposit is non-refundable once equipment or materials have been ordered, subject to rights available under New Zealand law.

• The remaining 20% balance is payable upon completion of the wastewater dispersal field and prior to project handover.

4.2 Dispersal Field Replacements

For replacement, repair, upgrade, or installation of sand filters, dripline systems, low-pressure pipe systems, and other wastewater dispersal fields:

• An 80% deposit is payable upon acceptance of the quotation and before materials are ordered or work commences.

• Materials and equipment will not be ordered until the deposit has been received in full.

• The remaining 20% balance is payable immediately upon completion of the installation.

4.3 Wastewater Design and Reporting Services

For wastewater design, site assessments, land application design, engineering reports, consent documentation, producer statements, and related consulting services:

• A 50% deposit is payable upon acceptance of the quotation and before work commences.

• Work will not commence until the deposit has been received.

• The remaining 50% balance is payable upon completion of the report, design, assessment, or deliverable.

• Final reports, plans, specifications, and other deliverables will not be released until all outstanding amounts have been paid in full.

4.4 Pumps, Blowers and Major Components

For pumps, blowers, alarms, control panels, treatment plant components, and other special-order equipment:

• Full payment for equipment, freight, and supplier charges is required before equipment is ordered.

• Labour, fittings, pipework, electrical components, consumables, excavation, and installation costs will be invoiced separately.

• Labour and installation costs are payable upon completion unless otherwise agreed in writing.

4.5 Servicing, Repairs and Maintenance

For servicing, repairs, maintenance, inspections, and call-outs:

• Payment is due upon completion of the work unless otherwise agreed in writing.

• Canterbury Septic Tanks may require prepayment for parts, materials, or special-order items.

5. Payment Terms

All invoices must be paid by the due date stated on the invoice.

Canterbury Septic Tanks reserves the right to:

• Suspend works where payments are overdue.

• Delay scheduling until required payments have been received.

• Withhold reports, warranties, commissioning documentation, maintenance records, service reports, producer statements, compliance documentation, and project deliverables until accounts have been paid in full.

If any amount remains unpaid after the due date, Canterbury Septic Tanks may:

• Refer the debt to a debt collection agency without further notice.

• Commence legal recovery proceedings.

• Recover all reasonable debt collection fees, legal costs, court costs, enforcement expenses, and administrative costs associated with recovery.

Interest may be charged on overdue accounts at a reasonable rate permitted under New Zealand law.

6. Ownership of Goods

Ownership of all supplied goods remains with Canterbury Septic Tanks until payment has been received in full.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Septic tanks

• Wastewater treatment systems

• Pumps

• Blowers

• Control panels

• Pipework

• Filters

• Dripline materials

• Electrical components

To the extent permitted under the Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (PPSA), Canterbury Septic Tanks retains a Purchase Money Security Interest (PMSI) in all supplied goods until paid in full.

7. Site Access

The client must provide safe and reasonable access to the site.

Additional costs arising from access difficulties, delays, restricted access, or undisclosed conditions may be charged to the client.

8. Underground Services

The client remains responsible for identifying and disclosing private underground services not shown on public utility records.

Canterbury Septic Tanks is not liable for damage resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, or unavailable information supplied by third parties.

9. Unforeseen Site Conditions

Additional charges may apply where unforeseen conditions are encountered, including:

• Rock excavation

• High groundwater

• Buried structures

• Unstable ground

• Contaminated material

• Existing system failures

• Undocumented services

• Additional excavation requirements

Where practicable, the client will be advised before additional costs are incurred.

10. Consents and Regulatory Approvals

Unless specifically stated otherwise, quotations do not include:

• Council application fees

• Resource consent fees

• Building consent fees

• Inspection fees

• Compliance costs

• Regional council charges

• Third-party consultant fees

Approval of any application, consent, permit, or certification remains solely at the discretion of the relevant authority.

11. Variations

Any work outside the agreed scope may constitute a variation and may incur additional charges.

This includes:

• Design changes

• Relocation of equipment

• Additional excavation

• Additional pipework

• Additional labour

• Further site visits

• Authority-requested amendments

12. Warranties

Manufacturer warranties apply only in accordance with the terms provided by the equipment manufacturer.

Warranty claims may be declined where damage results from:

• Misuse

• Neglect

• Lack of maintenance

• Vandalism

• Unauthorised modifications

• Incorrect operation

• Acts of nature

Routine maintenance requirements must be met to maintain warranty coverage.

13. Maintenance Responsibilities

Following installation, operation, servicing, maintenance, and monitoring of the wastewater system remain the responsibility of the property owner unless covered by a separate maintenance agreement.

14. Health and Safety

The client must disclose any known site hazards including:

• Contaminated land

• Hazardous substances

• Unstable ground

• Dangerous structures

• Aggressive animals

• Confined spaces

Canterbury Septic Tanks reserves the right to suspend work until hazards are adequately controlled.

15. Reports and Design Deliverables

Any reports, designs, plans, recommendations, assessments, calculations, or specifications prepared by Canterbury Septic Tanks are prepared solely for the client and the specific project identified.

No third party may rely upon any report or design without our prior written consent.

16. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to keep confidential information confidential unless disclosure is:

• Required by law;

• Required by a regulatory authority;

• Necessary for project completion; or

• Agreed to by the parties.

17. Intellectual Property

All reports, designs, drawings, specifications, calculations, methodologies, templates, and intellectual property remain the property of Canterbury Septic Tanks until all amounts owing have been paid in full.

Upon payment, the client receives a licence to use the deliverables for the intended project only.

18. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes rights that cannot legally be excluded under New Zealand law.

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• Liability is limited to the value of fees paid by the client for the relevant services.

• Canterbury Septic Tanks is not liable for indirect, special, consequential, or economic losses.

• Canterbury Septic Tanks is not liable for loss of profits, business interruption, loss of opportunity, or third-party claims.

19. Force Majeure

Canterbury Septic Tanks is not liable for delays caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control, including:

• Severe weather

• Flooding

• Earthquakes

• Supply chain disruptions

• Transport delays

• Labour shortages

• Government restrictions

• Utility failures

Project timeframes may be extended accordingly.

20. Website Content

Information published on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute project-specific professional advice.

While reasonable efforts are made to ensure accuracy, Canterbury Septic Tanks makes no guarantee that website content is complete, current, or suitable for every situation.

21. Privacy

Personal information will be collected, stored, and used in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and any published Privacy Policy.

22. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of New Zealand.

Any dispute arising from these Terms or the provision of services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.