April 2011 Issue

The latest in ATUs
April
Page 19
Work of the Onsite

Consortium
Page 24
A look at tank design

2011 Page 16
PROMOTING WASTEWATER TREATMENT QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE www.onsiteinstaller.com
Starting
Young
Jason Walter earns respect for
progressive systems and advice
Page 10
contents
The latest in ATUs
April
Page 19
Work of the Onsite

Consortium
Page 24
A look at tank design

2011 Page 16
PROMOTING WASTEWATER TREATMENT QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE www.onsiteinstaller.com
Published monthly by
April 2011 Starting

Young
Jason Walter earns respect for
1720 Maple Lake Dam Rd. • PO Box 220 • Three Lakes, WI 54562
cover story
progressive systems and advice
Page 10
Call toll free 800-257-7222; outside of U.S. or Canada call 715-546-3346

10 Starting Young 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time, Mon.-Fri.
Website: www.onsiteinstaller.com
By Gil Longwell E-mail: info@onsiteinstaller.com • Fax: 715-546-3786
ON THE COVER: Jason Walter was pumping septic tanks in his father’s SUBSCRIPTIONS:
business at age 17, and he started his own installation business two years A one year (12 issue) subscription to Onsite Installer™ in the United States or Canada
is free to qualified subscribers. A qualified subscriber is any individual or company in
later. He deals with a wide range of soil conditions, from coastal sands to the United States or Canada that partakes in the installation, design, maintenance,
upland rock ledges. (Photography by Bruno Ratensperger) manufacture, treatment, consulting or sale of onsite wastewater treatment systems
or supplies. Non-qualified subscriptions are available at a cost of $60 per year in
the United States and Canada/Mexico. Subscriptions to all other foreign countries
cost $80 per year. To qualify, visit www.onsiteinstaller.com/order/subscription or call
6 Breaking Ground: Delivering Options 800-257-7222.
Here’s a tool for helping small communities that don’t need big-pipe sewer Our subscriber list is occasionally made available to carefully selected companies whose
products or services may be of interest to you. Your privacy is important to us. If you prefer
systems evaluate and compare affordable treatment alternatives. not to be a part of these lists, please contact Nicole at nicolel@colepublishing.com.
By Ted J. Rulseh, Editor CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING:
Minimum rate of $25 for 20 words; $1 per each additional word. All classified advertising
must be paid in advance. DEADLINE: Classified ads must be received by the first
8 Letters to the Editor of the month for insertion in the next month’s edition. PHONE-IN ADS ARE NOT
ACCEPTED. Fax to 715-546-3786 only if charging to MasterCard, VISA, Discover
or AmEx. Include all credit card information and your phone number (with area code).
16 Basic Training: Septic Tank Designs

Mail with check payable to COLE Publishing Inc. to the address above. CLASSIFIED
ADVERTISING APPEARS NATIONWIDE AND ON THE INTERNET. Not responsible
Tanks must be designed, configured and installed in ways that allow for errors beyond first insertion.
adequate detention time for effective anaerobic treatment. DISPLAY ADVERTISING:
Contact one of our sales staff below at 800-994-7990. Publisher reserves the right
By Jim Anderson, Ph.D., and David Gustafson, P.E. to reject advertising which in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible with
the character of the publication.
18 Rules and Regs: Maryland Launches Grants for

System Upgrades
By Scottie Dayton and Doug Day
Kim McGee Jim Flory Winnie May Kayla Wilkowski Jim Koshuta
19 Product Focus: Aerobic Treatment Units EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE:
By Scottie Dayton Send to Editor, Onsite Installer, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes, WI, 54562 or e-mail editor
@onsiteinstaller.com.
REPRINTS AND BACK ISSUES:
20 Tools & Technology Visit www.onsiteinstaller.com for options and pricing. To order reprints, call Jeff Lane
at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or e-mail jeffl@colepublishing.com. To order
The 2011 Pumper & Cleaner Expo offered installers a look at the latest back issues, call Nicole at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or e-mail nicolel@
tools and technology. colepublishing.com.
CIRCULATION:
By Ed Wodalski Circulation averages 21,421 copies per month. This figure includes both U.S. and
International distribution.
24
© Copyright 2011 COLE Publishing Inc.
A Quiet Force for Progress No part may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.
The Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment
supplies the onsite industry with an abundance of educational resources. PUMPER & CLEANER
By Ted J. Rulseh ENVIRONMENTAL EXPO
INTERNATIONAL
27 Industry News www.pumpershow.com
Education Day: Feb. 27, 2012 Exhibits Open: Feb. 28 - March 1, 2012
28 Case Studies: Aerobic Treatment Unites Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
By Scottie Dayton
32 System Profile: Zero Discharge Coming Next Month: May 2011

A bio-engineered system harnesses the natural process of evapotranspiration Annual Buyer’s Guide
to treat wastewater in a closed system at a Parks Canada lock in Ontario.
n Profile: R.C. Worst & Company Inc., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
By Scottie Dayton n System Profile: Combined treatment/dispersal piping works on a
small creekside lot
36 Association News n Breaking Ground: An Onsite Wastewater Summit presents the
big picture
News; Calendar of Events; Training & Education
n Basic Training: Proper steps for septic tank installation
2 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

April 2011
advertiser index
COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE
Advanced Wastewater Systems ... 13 Sanitation Insurance Services ........ 31
Wieser Concrete Products, Inc. ........ 30
Alderon Industries, Inc. .......................... 6 Fergus Power Pump, Inc. .................... 27 Septic Services Inc.
Xerxes Corp. ............................................... 13
Infiltrator Systems, Inc. .......................... 7 Septic Services, Inc. ............................... 27
Alita Industries, Inc. ............................. 30

Septronics, Inc. ......................................... 11
Enjoy this issue!
Jet, Inc. .......................................................... 15
B2 Business Brokers ............................ 35 Established in 2004, Onsite
®
Netafim USA .............................................. 13 Installer™ fosters higher
SJE-Rhombus ........................................... 19 professionalism and profitability
Bio-Microbics, Inc. .................................... 8 for those who design and install
Snyder Industries ...................................... 5
Orenco Systems, Inc. ................................ 3 septic systems and other onsite
BrenLin Company, Inc. .......................... 19 wastewater treatment systems.
SPI - Septic Products, Inc. ................... 22
Polylok, Inc. ................................................ 40
BS Design Corp. ........................................ 39
✓ FREE Subscription
✓ New & Used Equipment
TM
Presby Environmental, Inc. ................. 4 T & T Tools, Inc. ........................................ 34 ✓ Discussion Forum
Clarus Environmental ......................... 17 The Pagoda Vent Company ................ 39 ✓ Article Reprints
Crest Precast, Inc. ................................... 11 RotoSolutions, Inc. ................................ 15 The Shaddix Company, Inc. ................ 39
All at
Eljen Corporation .................................... 18 Salcor, Inc. ................................................... 11 Tuf-Tite, Inc. .................................................. 9 onsiteinstaller.com

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Feedback
breaking ground Onsite Installer™ welcomes your comments,
ideas and suggestions on how we can serve you
better. Call 800/257-7222; fax 715/546-3786;
or e-mail editor@onsiteinstaller.com.
Delivering Options
Here’s a tool for helping small communities that don’t need big-pipe
sewer systems evaluate and compare affordable treatment alternatives
By Ted J. Rulseh, Editor
I magine that you’re an onsite

professional trying to help the
mayor or town chairman of a
very small rural community — a
church or two, a post office, a few
of an engineer, designer, or other
onsite professional in the business
of helping communities meet their
treatment needs.
down to it, here is an estimate of
what it’s going to cost.
“The fact sheets aren’t written
for engineers. They’re written for
that small-town mayor, who prob-
install their system components,
and the materials and installation
costs to build the collection net-
work, based on the flow rate and
number of homes served.
stores, a municipal hall, a few A step forward ably has a full-time job in the next The treatment series includes
dozen homes. “The materials are focused on town and maybe is only mayor on information on liquid/solid separa-
It’s time for the community to very small communities that are Tuesday night once a month.” tion, suspended and fixed-growth
get away from septic tanks, but a still on septic systems and really aerobic treatment, constructed
gravity sewer system and an acti- need to upgrade to some form of Getting the answers wetlands, nutrient reduction, dis-
vated sludge treatment plant are more centralized treatment, but Wastewater treatment can be a infection and residuals manage-
strictly out of the question — too probably don’t need a full-blown big challenge for communities in ment. The dispersal series includes
costly. What options can you offer? wastewater treatment plant,” says that no-man’s land between indi- gravity, low-pressure, drip and spray
You could find help in one of John Buchanan, who chairs the vidual septic systems and municipal distribution, plus evapotranspira-
the latest work products from the consortium’s executive board. sewerage. It’s hard for community tion, surface water discharge, and
Consortium of Institutes for Decen- water reuse.
tralized Wastewater Treatment. It’s Presented with selected items
a set of Decentralized Systems Per- Wastewater treatment can be a big challenge for communities from this fact sheet series to suit its
formance and Costs Fact Sheets, in that no-man’s land between individual septic systems and specific situation, a community
created under a grant from the municipal sewerage. could get a good start toward
Water Environment Research Foun- choosing an appropriate and afford-
dation (WERF). able treatment approach that will
It’s one of the many training “The documents use very plain leaders to act when they have no serve its needs well.
and educational products created language, saying for example that homegrown expertise and no idea
by the consortium, which is pro- to handle water up to so many gal- what options are available, let alone Pay a visit
filed in an article in this issue of lons per day, you’ll need a treat- how much they cost. It seems worth almost any
Onsite Installer. The fact sheets ment system that occupies so many There are four series of fact onsite professional’s time to get
could be valuable in the toolbox square feet, and when it comes sheets covering collection, treat- familiar with these community sys-
ment, effluent dispersal and cost. tem options. Who knows when an
The collection series, for example, opportunity might come up to help
covers gravity, pressure, effluent someone who needs expertise, or
and vacuum sewer systems. As to undertake or support a small
defined here, an effluent sewer is community’s wastewater treatment
one that carries wastewater that system project?
has undergone liquid/solid separa- You can find all the fact sheet
tion — primary treatment. materials on the WERF website at
Each fact sheet discusses the www.werf.org/decentralizedcost.
particular system’s compatibility Go have a look. You’re just about
with the community’s vision, land certain to learn something, and
area requirements, construction along the way you might get
and installation procedures, main- inspired about a business opportu-
tenance requirements and costs. nity you never actively considered
Charts are provided that show before. n
ranges of costs for homeowners to

April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 7
letters to the editor
Fan of Fritts
Get Nitrogen Removal You could not have picked a better company to use on your cover than
Residential Sewage Treatment (Onsite Installer, March 2011). Tom Fritts is
...FAST
an industry mover and shaker! The man is everywhere and puts his whole
heart into everything.
® Besides being vice president of Residential Sewage, vice president of
NOWRA, and serving on both the Missouri and Kansas Smallflows Boards,
Tom does educational programs for Missouri Smallflows for installers, regu-
lators, system evaluators and others. He speaks at the Pumper & Cleaner
Expo, the NOWRA Conference, the Missouri and Kansas conferences, and
anywhere else he is asked.
He is active when there is legislation that affects onsite, working with
the state Department of Health and local regulators and testifying at
legislative hearings. As president of Missouri Smallflows, it is my privilege
to have Tom on our board, to be able to tap into his knowledge, and to call
As the only system to receive the Title 5 him a friend.
Innovative/Alternative (I/A) “General Use” I haven’t met his wife Kathy as yet, but if she is anything like Tom (and
from your article it appears that she is), they are truly a dynamic duo.
Approval for Nitrogen Removal (MassDEP),
the MicroFAST® provides affordable options versus Janet Murray, REHS
Environmental Health Supervisor
centralized sewers or conventional septic systems. Randolph County (Mo.) Health Department
Nitrication and denitrication projects are much easier
with FAST®. The NSF® Std. 40 and NSF® Std. 245
certied MicroFAST® wastewater treatment systems Flies a Good Thing?
are much less complicated to install and operate. I just read the article about septic flies and larvae in Arizona (Associa-
tion News, Onsite Installer, February 2011). I have been in business for 15
At a time when signicantly increased amount years. Of the thousands of tanks we have pumped over the years, our expe-
rience has been that if we open a tank and find flies, these are the tanks that
of nutrients threaten the ecosystem of lakes and have good bacteria levels, which promote what we consider to be a healthy
waterways, FAST ® is the Better solution. septic tank.
So many times we open a tank and find it to be black and non-active or
what we consider to be dead. I have even gone as far as collecting some efflu-
ent from these tanks with flies and larvae present to introduce to my own
tank to seed it, with good results.
Check out our Prevention- I believe the source for this information has the wrong idea about the
Remediation Program flies and should embrace this as a natural activity in a normal or healthy
operating septic tank. I also believe the flies are introduced through the
S.O.S.-Save Our SepticTM vent stack.
The practitioner in question should sell this as a natural activity and be
thankful for the increased sales due to dead flies plugging those filters,
maybe even offering to install larger filters to compensate for the increased
plugging. Or maybe it was really time to clean those filters.
Jon Houseknecht
Sunset Septic & Excavating
Rolling Prairie, Ind.
If your business includes services like septic tank pumping and

maintenance, consider a subscription to Pumper ® — the publication exclusively
© 2011 Bio-Microbics, Inc. • phone: 913-422-0707 • fax: 913-422-0808 for septic business professionals for more than three decades.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY at pumper.com or 800-257-7222

installer profile
Jason Walter uses a LaserMark
self-leveling rotary laser to test the
depth of an installation. (Photog-
raphy by Bruno Ratensperger)
Starting Young
Jason Walter gets an early and fast start as a progressive installer
and a source of onsite advice for his customers
By Gil Longwell
Bill Walter & Sons
Septic Installation, LLC,
Clinton, Conn. T wo weeks after graduating
from high school, while his
friends were enjoying the
beach, Jason Walter had started
learning onsite systems as he pre-
Walter received his subsurface
system installer’s license from the
state of Connecticut when he was
19. During his time with his dad,
he realized several important facts.
to become versatile in site consider-
ations and technologies.
Part of the learning process was
understanding his own needs for
equipment. He flew to Michigan to
OWNER: Jason Walter
pared to build an installation busi- “The typical installer in this area pick up his first machine when he
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 5 ness on the Long Island Sound in will retire in the next 10 years or was 19. “I did my homework to
coastal Connecticut. so,” he says. “There is not a rush of determine which device would best
MARKET AREA: 25-mile At age 17, Walter started out in new installers preparing to fill this meet my initial needs and enable
radius in two counties the field pumping treatment tanks void. The work is hard, and it’s me to work smarter and more effi-
BUSINESS MIX: 80 percent for his father’s business. Two years dirty, but it pays well. I also learned ciently,” he says. Five years after
repairs, 20 percent service later he launched his own business, I have a lot to learn.” buying that machine, his equipment
Bill Walter & Sons Septic Installation. resource pool has grown to include:
SPECIALTY: Finding solutions “I chose the name not because Grasping opportunity • A 2001 Komatsu PC78 com-
for diverse site conditions dad has a role in the business, but From all he learned about the pact excavator.
because his pumping business is so onsite industry, Walter reached a • A 2008 Cat 303.5 mini-
AFFILIATIONS: Connecticut
well known in the community,” one-word conclusion: Opportunity. excavator.
Onsite Wastewater Recycling
Walter says. “Working with dad, I Working in two counties within a • A 2004 Cat 277B tracked
Association; NOWRA
learned about taking care of sys- 25-mile radius from his home base skid-steer.
WEBSITE: www.walterseptic. tems. What to do, how to do it, the in Clinton, about 25 miles east of • A 2006 Kubota B21 mini-
com purposes of the components, how New Haven, he finds a wide range backhoe.
they work, and the relationships of soil conditions, from coastal • A 1996 Ford L8000 six-wheel
between soil, air, effluent, vessels, sands to upland rock ledges with dump truck.
★ filters, bacteria and more. Dad was shallow soil cover. This diversity Before every purchase, Walter
a heck of a teacher.” brings challenges and forces Walter tried to answer one critical ques-
(continued)
� Designed for Onsite Systems � Two Year UV Lamp Life
� Gravity Flow to 6 GPM � NSF and Other Third Party
� Installed in Ground or Tests Confirm Superior
Pump Tank Bacteria and Virus Kill
� Minimum (Annual) � UL and cUL Certified,
Maintenance Standard 979
� NEMA 6P (Passed 30 Day � Multiple Units Economically
Submergence Test by UL) Treat up to 100,000 Gal/Day
Made in the USA

Burdens of Youth
At age 24, Jason Walter is always seek out his opinion on onsite matters.
the youngest in a gathering of installers. The nearby town of Old Saybrook is
He is also the youngest member of the relying on upgraded onsite systems on
board of directors of the Connecticut individual lots to resolve long-term sys-
Onsite Wastewater Recycling Associa- tem failures. “Mine is too small a busi-
tion. As a result, he meets resistance ness to be able to bid on 100 systems as
almost every day. a block, yet I can help the project in other
Customers see youth and worry about ways,” Walter says.
his depth of knowledge, experience and People seek him out on job sites to
skill. The reactions are understandable, get an understanding of what the town is
but Walter can’t overlook them: He coun- doing and why. “I know they will never
ters them wherever they show up. His be my customers, but I want to help them
self-confidence rests on his core belief understand onsite systems, what they
that he is a knowledgeable, competent can do, their importance, and the need
Jason Walter (center) with parents Bill and Carol Walter. installer. He finds he can use his knowl- to care for them,” he says.
edge to build bridges with older peers, As more people turn to Walter for
tion: Would the new piece allow Customer connection customers and the community. Working information, the stigma of youth is being
him to earn more money? That includes being highly
Keeping his equipment clean responsive to customers. “I am cus- in the town where he grew up, he is rec- replaced with the aura of a knowledge-
shows off his attention to detail. tomer-connected,” he says. “I ognized on the street, in church, and able professional — one system or one
Less easy to spot is his attention to answer my own phone, I always elsewhere. In all those places, people person at a time.
preventive maintenance. “It is the return calls promptly, and while I
am learning every day, at the same
time I am my customers’ onsite sys- Walter has identified a family of responding, “Yes, however ...”
“The typical installer in this tem resource. customers who display a common Add-on work can be less expen-
area will retire in the next “I’m not old school. I am not trait. He calls them Mr. or Mrs. sive than remobilizing for a small
married to ‘box and rocks’ systems. Couldyou Just — customers who task, but the work has value, and as
10 years or so. There is not When a conventional system will have been pleased with his pricing such he believes he is entitled to
a rush of new installers work, I’m there; when it is inade- and work, but want a little some- payment. In response, he has cre-
preparing to fill this void. quate, I’m looking for the best alter- thing more. As a job approaches ated a minimum four-hour charge
natives to present to my customer.” conclusion, they may open a con- for “could you just” work, plus the
The work is hard, and it’s He plans to be around for a long time versation with, “While you’re here, cost of any materials. “When I
dirty, but it pays well. I also and does not want to disappoint could you just ...” It doesn’t matter explain the costs, most folks under-
learned I have a lot to learn.” any customer with a system that what the extra work entails — he stand and pay willingly,” he says.
won’t make it through the long run. has learned the importance of “Some go the DIY route.”
Jason Walter
maintenance that lets me stay on a

job until it is done,” he says. Walter
believes detailing the equipment
sends customers two messages: “I
care about my equipment, and I
care about the job I will do for you.”
Efficiency drives his equipment
Always meticulous in his installations,
and technology purchases. There is Jason Walter puts the primer on sections
a big learning curve in this indus- of Schedule 40 pipe before gluing
try, and Walter knows he must learn them together.
quickly. He also knows that learn-
ing will make him more productive,
although the time spent in training
will not by itself generate income.
Walter doesn’t let his equip-
ment define him. He is a skillful
and seasoned equipment operator,
but his first focus is on his role as
an installer.
(continued)
onsite installer:Layout 1 3/17/11 2:26 PM Page 1
Serious about
Watertight Tanks?
When it comes to wastewater tanks, watertight design is gain-
ing a lot of attention. The benefits of installing a watertight
tank are numerous, and, with changing regulations; it’s often
mandatory. So, if you see value in using watertight tanks and
ease of installation is important, consider Xerxes fiberglass
tanks for your next project.
Benefits of Watertight Tanks include:
• One-piece construction - no field installation of components
requiring seams/seals to complete the tank.
• Factory manufactured - no need to form and fabricate a tank in
place with unpredictable weather conditions, field crews and com-
pletion dates.
• Proven track record - Xerxes tanks have been used for nearly
three decades for storage of petroleum products where watertight
is the only design standard that is acceptable.
• Strong design - standard tanks are designed for burial depth to
7 feet, water table to grade AND an H-20 load rating.
www.xerxes.com • (952) 887-1890 phone
Saber Septic
Repairs and remediates your failed
septic drainfield or we give you your
money back – 100% guaranteed
Benefits
� Repairs failed septic systems � Extends the life of your
without drainfield replacement septic system and drainfield
� Keeps sewage from backing up � Can be used on single
in the house when it rains compartment and two-
� Eliminates drainfield ponding, compartment tanks
odors and nuisance
Kevin Chaffee, President • kevin@saberseptic.com
812.528.8784
Pat Hanlon, Vice President • pat@saberseptic.com
812.926.4282
www.SaberSeptic.com

No-surprise pricing Jason Walter moves a Mantis GSF
Walter sells a quality job for a leaching unit from Eljen Corpora-
fair price. The price he quotes tion into place.
includes everything he can antici-
pate needing to complete the job to
his own and his customers’ satis-
faction. “My price is a complete
price; there are no add-ons for
grass seed, or fertilizer, or any-
thing,” he says. “People are price-
driven. I tell customers, ‘If you hire
someone who will work for pea-
nuts, you get someone who will
monkey around with your job.’”
Walter notes that some area
installers will quote an onsite sys-
tem at a given price, then add on
mobilization costs and other
charges later. Customers then feel
they have been abused. During the
proposal stage, Walter explains not
only the project, but his pricing
methods, so customers can make
informed comparisons if they are
shopping around.
“I am customer-connected.
I answer my own phone, I
always return calls promptly,
and while I am learning every With a zero-tail-swing excavator, Jason Walter can get any job done,
day, at the same time I am large or small.
my customers’ onsite system cient work to keep two machines or the divide. Walter likes the Mantis
resource.” one service technician busy,” he GSF system from Eljen Corporation Walter works hard to find the right
says. He previously had an em- because under Connecticut regula- solution for all parties concerned.
Jason Walter ployee, and from that experience tions, it can be installed with a
he learned that his next hire must smaller footprint than a conven- The right feel
Basic Yellow Pages ads are his be someone with experience in the tional system. It is also a passive As a rule, Walter seeks out prob-
only formal self-promotion. Walter onsite industry and a commercial system that yields a more highly lems other installers have walked
knows satisfied customers become driver’s license. Training will be a treated effluent. away from, but sometimes things
his company spokespersons. “If a priority for anyone he hires, as it is These systems fit on both sides just don’t make sense. “After
customer knows I did a quality job for himself. “We can never stop of the highway because they can reviewing the site’s conditions, a
for a fair price and cannot see any learning; too much is happening in effectively address diverse natural proposed design, and the design-
change in the appearance of the this industry,” he says. conditions, including seasonal high er’s selection of a particular tech-
site when I am done, they will sing Walter’s dad remains in the water tables and clayey soils that nology or system type, if I’m not
my praises,” he says. pumping business, and when one perc slowly. “In the environment of convinced the system will have a
of Jason’s customers needs a tank small lots and restricted access long, successful life, I’ll walk away
Careful growth pumped, dad gets the call. routes, the smaller footprint helps from the job,” he says. “If it doesn’t
With just his mom as a support the installer and the property feel right, I won’t do it.”
person and office manager, Wal- Banking on diversity owner,” Walter says. “I bought a For customers who have seen
ter’s personnel costs are minimal, As he waits for the maintenance mini-excavator just for these sites.” him apply his knowledge and dili-
but he sees that changing. There market to develop, Walter focuses For about 90 percent of his gence in the field, selecting Walter
are opportunities in system man- on installations and repairs, which repair work Walter is allowed under to do their job just feels right. n
agement, but so far he has not sometimes involve complete replace- state regulations to prepare his own
installed many advanced treatment ments. His area is diverse, and the designs, and he does so. “When
units. More are going in steadily sites demand creative thinking. dealing with complex site conditions, MORE INFO:
around the area, and he could ser- US Route 1, the Maine-to-Flor- I always bring an engineer into the Eljen Corporation
vice them whether they are his own ida highway, follows the physio- process,” he says. “For systems 800/444-1359
installations or not. graphic line of demarcation between serving a daily flow over 2,000 gpd, www.eljen.com
“I’ll know when I am ready to coastal sands and upland soils, and an engineer must be involved.” (See ad page 18)
hire an employee when I have suffi- conditions change markedly along Regardless of the site’s limitations,

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Jim Anderson and Dave Gustafson are connected
basic training with the University of Minnesota onsite waste-

water treatment education program. Dave is
extension onsite sewage treatment educator.
Jim is former director of the university’s Water
Resources Center and is now an emeritus pro-
fessor, as well as education program coordinator
for the National Association of Wastewater
Transporters. Readers are welcome to submit
questions or article suggestions to Jim and Dave.
Write to ander045@umn.edu.
Septic Tank Designs

Tanks must be designed, configured and installed in ways that allow
adequate detention time for effective anaerobic treatment
By Jim Anderson, Ph.D., and David Gustafson, P.E.
T his continues our series on

selection, location and instal-
lation of septic tanks. When
we think of septic tanks, we include
tanks of similar geometry and design
liquid is not highly treated, but it is
greatly clarified, and the treatment
process has begun.
The right detention time

that are used in front of other pre- The second important function
treatment units, so this includes of a septic tank is to store the accu-
trash tanks and processing tanks. mulated solids. So, one of the first
Last month we provided defini- considerations in design is to have
tions and descriptions of these a tank large enough to hold the sol-
kinds of sewage tanks. Now, let’s ids until the tank is pumped. The
look at septic tanks in more detail. goal is to have at least two days of
Septic tanks allow the separa- detention time in the tank.
tion of solids from wastewater as Detention time is determined
heavier solids settle and the fats, by the tank volume divided by the
greases and lighter solids float. In a daily sewage flow. So detention Sometimes it is necessary to use
properly functioning septic tank, time for a 1,000-gallon tank with a more than one tank in series to
the solids content of the wastewater daily sewage flow of 450 gpd is provide adequate capacity.
is reduced by 60 to 80 percent. The 1,000 gallons divided by 450 gpd,
settled solids are called sludge, the or 2.2 days — more than the total suspended solids (TSS), and
floating solids are called scum, and desired two days. 10 to 30 mg/l fats, oil and grease
in between is a relatively clear liq- Realize that as solids accumu- (FOG).
uid layer called the clear zone. This late in the tank, the effective deten- If the effluent exceeds 175 mg/l
tion time is reduced. So, adhering BOD, 60 mg/l TSS or 25 mg/l FOG,
strictly to the desired detention the tank needs to be pumped. Or, if
time as the tank fills would mean the reason the effluent is not
increasing the tank volume. For treated to these levels is that the
design purposes this is not typi- strength of the influent wastewater
cally done, but it can be desirable is too high, then additional pre-
to have somewhat more tank capac- treatment measures need to be
ity, and if the homeowner is willing taken, such as increasing tank
to pay a little more for the insur- capacity or adding an aerobic treat-
ance of more storage capacity, it is ment unit (ATU) or media filter.
better to install a larger-capacity tank. The anaerobic (without oxygen)
digestion processes in septic tanks
Levels of treatment are affected by temperature (treat- Many local codes require dual-
The treatment seen in a well- ment is better when the tank is compartment tanks.
A truck delivers a septic tank. functioning septic tank should be warmer) and by the addition of
Part of the design involves mak- such that effluent is in the range of substances that adversely affect ers, antibiotics, and water softener
ing sure the delivery vehicle can 140 to 220 mg/l biochemical oxy- microorganisms in the tank. For backwash all can hinder treatment
access the site. gen demand (BOD), 45 to 70 mg/l example, chemicals, drain clean- effectiveness.

Dealing with disposals typically no more than 84 inches,
Two other major items that and 36 inches is preferred.
affect proper sizing of septic tanks An ideal length-to-width ratio
are the use of a garbage disposal is 3:1, though most tanks are not
and the use of a grinder pump or built that way. The normal ratio is
solids-handling pump in the base- in the 2:1 range. The outlet pipe
ment or at a lower level than the should be at least two inches below
tank. In both cases, tank capacity the inlet pipe elevation, and there
must increase. The usual recom- must be free air space above the liq-
mendation is to increase capacity uid level to allow proper venting.
by at least 50 percent, or 1.5 times This is also true between compart-
ments in a two-compartment tank.
When working with home- More tanks or compartments?

owners who want to have a For a two-compartment tank,
the volume of the first compart-
garbage disposal, it is a good ment must be equal to or larger than
idea to educate them about the second. Each compartment
should contain at least 25 percent
their responsibility for proper of the total liquid capacity and have
care of the system. You can an inside horizontal dimension of
place the discussion in the at least 24 inches as measured in
the direction of the flow.
context of how their habits Typically, a 1,500-gallon two-
will affect the costs of install- compartment tank would have
ation and operation. 1,000 gallons of capacity in the
first compartment and 500 in the
second. If the second compartment
what the design capacity would be will be used as a pump tank, it is
without these features. important for a baffle to be installed
Use of a garbage disposal adds between compartments to prevent
solids — often materials that are pumping directly from the first
difficult to break down in the tank. compartment.
That requires more frequent pump- If multiple tanks are used, they
ing. Water is also added when the provide more surface area in con-
disposal runs. tact with the soil, and that can help
More capacity is needed with a cool effluent discharged from a
grinder or solids pump because of dishwasher. Another reason to use
the turbulence created by the multiple tanks is that large multi-
pumping of water into the tank. compartment tanks may be in lim-
Additional requirements for systems ited supply.
with the disposals or sump pumps From an installation stand-
include using a two-compartment point, delivery and placement of
tank or multiple tanks to provide smaller tanks in series is easier,
the necessary capacity. Effluent and the overall excavation required
screens with alarms are now usu- is generally less. One important
ally required to further ensure that item to consider, though, is the
solids are not lost out of the tanks need to maintain the 2-inch drop
to the final soil dispersal area. in successive tanks.
When working with homeown- To minimize potential for sewer
ers who want to have a garbage dis- pipe blockage from the house to the
posal, it is a good idea to educate tank, it is important to locate the
them about their responsibility for tank close to the house. A typical
proper care of the system. You can setback requirement is 10 feet. Other
place the discussion in the context setback requirements from wells,
of how their habits will affect the property lines and easements need
costs of installation and operation. to meet local requirements.
For single-compartment septic Now that we have reviewed some
tanks, the depth, the length-to- of the major design and location
width ratio, and the location of the considerations we can move on to
baffles contribute to the time for installation procedures. n
solids to settle and be stored. There
are usually depth restrictions —

“Rules and Regs” is a monthly feature in Onsite
rules and regs Installer. We welcome information about state
or local regulations of potential broad interest
to onsite contractors. Send ideas to editor@
onsiteinstaller.com.
Maryland Launches Grants

for System Upgrades
By Doug Day and Scottie Dayton
T he Maryland Board of Public

Works has announced a pro-
gram to upgrade onsite sew-
age disposal systems. The $4.17
million in grants will go to counties
announced in December, carries a
total price tag of about $10 billion
through 2017. The bay’s watershed
includes six states and the District
of Columbia.
surface wastewater disposal system
problematic. Chief among them are
shallow to non-existent soils, lim-
ited site access, limited potable
water supplies, and inconsistent
150 government agencies and makes
recommendations that reduce inef-
ficiencies and improve operations.
Most of the council’s $330,000
annual budget funds research
to upgrade septic systems to remove electric power.” grants. In its 20-year history, the
nitrogen and keep it from getting Maine There are about 1,300 such sys- council has returned $1.5 million
into the Chesapeake Bay. The Division of Environmental tems still licensed in Maine, about in new system registration fees to
The program is part of $28 mil- Health has issued guidelines for half the number in existence in the state’s general fund. Although
lion in clean water grants announced replacing existing, licensed over- 1987. Many have been replaced as the state benefited from the
in December in the continued board discharges from septic sys- new technologies improve methods research, the commission criticized
multi-state program to clean up the tems on offshore islands (discharge for treating domestic wastewater. the council for having no formal
bay. Nearly $3 million in grants of treated wastewater to surface The guidelines cover such issues as process to evaluate its effective-
were announced by the board in waters). sizing, fill, composting of solids when ness. The report’s authors acknowl-
November and another $40 million The guidance says the Subsur- tank pumping is not possible, and edged that the Texas Commission
in October, including more than face Wastewater Unit recognizes other unique aspects. It encourages on Environmental Quality recently
$94,000 to upgrade failing septic such cases as unique due to “prop- the use of non-discharging toilets changed some rules as a result of
systems in Howard County. erties and conditions which make and professional judgment when council-funded research, but the
The state’s Chesapeake Bay plan, installation of a conventional sub- recommending septic systems that application of other research re-
do not meet minimum criteria. mained unclear.
Florida Ohio
We’ll Squeeze You Into Some Pretty Tight Places! The state filed a lawsuit against The Trumbull County Health
Eljen GSF
the U.S. EPA over what it calls the Department cited a court-ordered
Geotextile agency’s intrusion into Florida’s consent decree to criminally charge
Sand Filter previously approved clean water and imprison people who failed to
program. The lawsuit alleges that upgrade their onsite systems. The
• 3rd party testing verified the EPA’s action is inconsistent decree requires the county to
BOD and TSS <10 mg/l with the intent of Congress when it enforce state EPA compliance.
and up to a 3-log reduction based the Clean Water Act on the Spokesman Mike Settles for the
in Fecal Coliform idea of cooperative federalism — the Ohio EPA said that it is up to local
• Provides treatment and states responsible for water quality health departments to determine
disposal in the same and the EPA offering oversight. how to enforce state regulations,
absorption area Florida’s action is a result of and that the consent decree does
EPA settling a lawsuit filed by the not stipulate any penalties against
• Best choice for sensitive Florida Wildlife Federation in the county if it fails to comply. The
lakeside and restricted 2008. The settlement forced the EPA prefers to resolve violations
building sites EPA to set pollution standards for through negotiated orders or civil
• Made from recycled inland surface waters and coastal actions and to avoid the tactics
materials waters. Onsite system owners would employed in Trumbull County.
be affected by rules to achieve From 1992 to 2002, the county
TIme-Proven For nitrogen reduction and compliance granted onsite permits, or signed
over 25 YeArS monitoring. off on systems installed without
permits, even though they did not
Texas meet EPA standards. In many
A Sunset Advisory Commission cases, raw sewage dumped into
staff report recommended that the state waterways. In 2007, the local
CORPORATION state abolish the On-Site Wastewa- health board estimated that 90 per-
Innovative Products and Solutions Since 1970 ter Treatment Research Council cent of onsite systems (about
and replace it with a stakeholder 30,000) in the county failed to
1-800-444-1359 eljen.com group. The commission reviews the meet the regulations that went into
policies and programs of more than effect that year. n

product focus
ATUs
By Scottie Dayton
High-strength wastewater
aerobic digester
The Nibbler SBP (square back-
flush pod) high-strength waste treat-
ment system from Aqua Test handles
loads greater than 300 mg/l BOD5
and FOG concentrations above 25 mg/l. The pre-engineered modules arrive
ready for installation.
The treatment train has a septic tank, the aerobic digester tank, surge
tank, and a grease trap when applicable. The arrangement allows for a
reduced drainfield footprint. The system produces effluent with 150 mg/l or
less BOD5 and 25 mg/l or less FOG. 800/221-3159; www.aquatestinc.com. n
If your business includes services like septic tank pumping and maintenance,
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definitive guide to the latest products, technologies and methods for the industry.
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2011 expo
Tools & Technology The 2011 Pumper & Cleaner Expo offered installers
a look at the latest tools and technology
By Ed Wodalski
T he 31st Annual Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo Interna-

tional closed a four-year run in Louisville with 3,644 companies, cit-
ies and utilities represented and 8,286 total attendees. The Expo
moves to Indianapolis for 2012, running Feb. 27 to March 1 at the Indiana
Convention Center.
Automated treatment system
PekaSys Sustainable Technologies displayed its Clear Rex
Bubbler wastewater treatment system. Designed for single-family homes,
apartments, restaurants, cluster systems, hotels, golf courses, office build-
ings and schools, the fully biological system uses no filters or fi xed media.
The 2011 Expo offered a full slate of educational seminars spread over The German-engineered sys-
three days and included 477 exhibits of new and familiar products and tem is fully automated and
technologies. Here is a sampling of the new products and technologies on features a vacation mode that
display for the onsite industry: automatically adjusts its
cycle to process wastewater
Septic pump package until the homeowner returns.
Orenco Systems intro- Using sequenced batch reac-
duced its ready-to-install Bio- tion, water enters the reactor
tube ProPak pump package. from pretreatment. Intermit-
Made for filtering and pumping tent aeration allows for aero-
effluent from septic tanks to bic and anaerobic conditions
drainfields or other downstream that break down BOD and
systems, the pump vault pro- nitrogen. Solids settle to the
tects the pump from sludge and bottom of the reactor, while
scum, eliminating the need for a the top (clear water) portion
separate pump tank. The pack- of the reactor is pumped out. The system then waits for the next cycle to
age includes a Biotube filter car- begin. The unit achieves between 94-97 percent BOD reduction, 84-94 per-
tridge, 4-inch turbine effluent cent TSS reduction and 55-67 percent TN reduction. 877/735-2797; www.
pump, float switches with quick- pekasys.com.
connect collars, discharge
plumbing assembly, splice box Submersible pumps
and demand-dosing control panel or timed-dosing panel. 800/348-9843; Hydra-Tech Pumps introduced its Model S3SHR 3-inch hydraulic
www.orenco.com. submersible shredder pump with 360-degree shredding action and its

4-inch hydraulic submersible trash 1/4 hp model displaces 35 gpm and has a maximum head of 17 feet. The 1/3
pumps (S4TLP ductile iron body, hp model delivers 42 gpm and has a maximum head of 20 feet. 937/778-
S4TLPAL aluminum body). The shred- 8947; www.cranepumps.com.
der pump weighs 68 pounds, can
handle 3-inch solids and stands 18.5 Septic system enhancer
inches tall. It has a 12 gpm input flow Greenovative Technologies introduced its EcoHancer septic sys-
and maximum operating pressure of tem additive and TSS total system solu-
2,600 psi. Other features include an tion FOG eliminator. EcoHancer, an
open-vane shredder impeller with organic liquid formula made from peat,
tungsten carbide cutting tip, oil-lubri- accelerates both growth and microorgan-
cated seals (can run dry), and vari- ism activity within the septic system to
able-speed hydraulic drive. The trash reduce sludge buildup, improve settling
pump, 19.5 inches at its widest point, and reduce suspended solids to maxi-
is designed for use in tight spaces and mize drainfield performance, enhance
can be used for tank truck mounting long-term efficiency and promote envi-
for direct loading/offloading. The two- ronmental stability. Packaged in a 16-
vane channel impeller will pass 3-inch ounce bottle, the additive is sold in a case
semisolids. It has an input flow of 10 gpm and maximum operating pres- of 12 for monthly application. Neither an
sure of 2,800 psi. 570/645-3779; www.hydra-tech.com. enzyme nor bacteria additive, TSS elimi-
nates the fats, oils and grease that build
Well and septic coverings up in grease traps by strengthening the
Topscape introduced its existing microbes within the lines leading to the grease trap and farther
raised flower garden well down stream. 856/234-4540; www.greenovativetechnologies.com.
and septic landscape covering.
Made of weather-resistant Biofilm reactor
natural cedar, the basket- Clewer Clean Water
shaped cover, supported by a introduced its Rotational Bed
metal ring on the inside, Biofilm Reactor. The waste-
holds four drop-in plastic water treatment system uses
pots, providing a decorative centrifugal force to create a
way to camouflage septic tank greater treatment area. Air
risers up to 32 inches in pumped in creates both rota-
diameter. The planter also can serve as a stand-alone raised garden. 608/ tion and an oxygen-filled path
333-3610; www.discovertopscape.com. within the bioreactor. The
extended rotating pathway of
Corrugated pipe cover air feeds the biofilm-ladden
Polylok Inc. introduced its carriers. Air injected at an angle
30-inch corrugated pipe and into the cylindrical tank causes the carriers inside to rotate. Once in motion,
riser cover. Adding to the compa- little energy is needed for the carriers to continue rotating, allowing for the
ny’s 18-, 20- and 24-inch heavy-du- use of smaller pumps and reducing energy consumption. Sludge formed in
ty product line, the new reinforced the bioreactor continuously moves to the outside of the tank through the
plastic cover is designed to pass overflow pipe and is returned to the holding tank and repeats for a self-
static load testing to 1,000 pounds cleaning system. 843/247-6309; www.clewerusa.com.
as well as center and off-center im-
pact load testing to 150 ft. lbs. The Drainfield restorative
cover has easy-lift retractable han- Septic Drainer displayed
dles, safety hold-down screws and its drainfield soil restorative,
factory-installed gasket to ensure a designed to improve the perk-
watertight and airtight fit. 877/765- ability of soil for better drainage
9565; www.polylok.com. and prevent drainfield replace-
ment. It is formulated to work
Float-protected sump pump on all types of septic systems,
Crane Pumps & Systems dis- including conventional systems
played the Barnes SHUR-Switch consisting of a septic tank, dis-
sump pump. Available in 1/4 (SU25) tribution box and leachfield,
and 1/3 hp (SU33) models, the pump dry well systems and cesspool
float is housed in a shroud to guard systems. 518/812-0000; www.
against obstruction and wedging. Mag- septicdrainer.com.
nets activate the switch as the float rises
and falls. The GFCI-compatible, 120- Aerobic wastewater treatment
volt pump operates at 3,450 rpm, has a Tricel Environmental Solutions introduced its three-stage (pri-
9-foot cord, 1 1/2-inch discharge and mary settlement, aeration and final settlement) sewage treatment sys-
can handle up to 3/16-inch solids. The tem. Available in three models, the system has a design flow rate of 235 to

700 gpd and treatment capac- The top of the impeller is shielded by the motor housing to prevent clogging.
ity of 1,040 to 1,855 gallons. Coupled with an effluent filter, the aerator can revitalize slow-draining sys-
The unit measures from 102 to tems. The Model 340HP aerator has a 1,750 rpm, high-torque, fully
181 inches long, 65.5 inches enclosed, continuous-duty 1/6 hp motor with pre-lubricated sealed bear-
wide and 87.7 inches tall. It ings delivering 3.0-3.1 cfm. 800/536-5564; www.septicserv.com.
weighs 661 to 1,102 pounds.
Wastewater enters the primary Two-seam plastic septic tank
settlement chamber, where sol- Infiltrator Systems Inc. introduced the IM-1060 injection molded,
ids drop to the bottom, are two-piece, mid-seam polypropylene septic tank. The watertight unit has
separated from the liquid and inboard lifting lugs for
anaerobic breakdown begins. easy delivery and handling,
Bacteria in the aeration cham- integral heavy-duty green
ber feed on the impurities. Sludge settles in the final chamber where a con- lids that interconnect with
tinuous return system pumps solids back to the primary chamber. The TW risers, reinforced access
remaining treated liquid is pumped out of the system. 774/413-5116; www. ports, structural ribbing
tricelenvironmental.com. and fiberglass bulkheads
for additional strength.
Low-rpm aerators Weighing 320 pounds, the
Septic Services Inc. tank can be installed with
introduced its MaxAir500 6 to 48 inches of cover,
submersible aerator and pumped dry during pump-
Flagg-Air Model 340HP outs and is suitable for use
aerator. The 2 cfm MaxAir as a septic tank, pump tank or rainwater (non-potable) tank. The unit has a
500 has a built-in handle for 1,070-gallon working capacity and 1,247-gallon total capacity. It measures
quick installation and a 127 inches long, 62.2 inches wide and 54.7 inches high. 800/221-4436;
12-foot power cord. Features www.infiltratorsystems.com.
include a stainless steel and
cast-iron frame with high- Pump package
torque, 2.2-amp, low-rpm Duplex grinder pump pack-
motor for long-lasting service. ages from Liberty Pumps are avail-
able in sizes to fit applications from
residential to small municipal. The fac-
tory-assembled systems are controlled
by the IP-Series intelligent panel with
floatless technology. The D3648-Series
(shown) includes a 36- by 48-inch
(depth) fiberglass basin with two 2 hp
grinder pumps. 800/543-2550; www.
libertypumps.com. n
ON TO
Education Day: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012 INDIANAPOLIS
In 2012, the 32nd Annual Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo Interna-
Exhibits Open: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28–THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012
tional moves to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Feb. 27 - March 1.
INDIANA CONVENTION CENTER For information visit www.pumpershow.com or call 866/933-2653.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
Scan this tag for more information The most complete line of ...
System Alarms
Float Switches
On-Site Accessories
Control Panels
Get theGet
free mobile app at
the free mobile app at Call Today
http:/
http:/ / gettag.mobi
/ gettag.mobi 419-282-5933
visitindy.com/pumpershow www.septicproducts.com
sales@septicproducts.com

www.pumpershow.com
February 27 - March 1, 2012

Indiana Convention Center • Indianapolis, Indiana
Monday - Education Day • Tuesday - Thursday - Exhibits
Newly expanded indiana Top ten reasons Indianapolis

Convention Center
is the best place for the 2012
Pumper & Cleaner Expo
10. David Letterman is from Indianapolis,
so Top Ten lists are everywhere.
9. If they can handle 80,000 Super Bowl fans,
15,000 Pumper & Cleaners should be doable.
8. 4,700 hotel rooms connected to the convention
center - that's nearly 2,000 more than Opryland.
7. Over 200 restaurants, bars, and entertainment
options all within walking distance - close
walking distance.
6. Climate controlled skywalks mean never
having to wear a coat - or scarf, or mittens,
or stocking cap.
5. Send your significant other shopping -
the Convention Center is attached to a mall!
4. No matter what state you are from, there's only
one way to pronounce “Indianapolis”.
3. The last major crime spree in the city was by
Indianapolis native John Dillinger in 1931.
2. 35 cities fly non-stop to Indy's brand-new
airport - opened in November 2008.
1. Horses don't race there, cars do!
profile
A Quiet Force for Progress

The Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment
supplies the onsite industry with an abundance of educational resources
By Ted J. Rulseh
T here’s a group of unsung

heroes in the onsite waste-
water industry. It goes by a
somewhat inconvenient name: The
Consortium of Institutes for Decen-
Members George Loomis and
John Buchanan spoke on behalf of
the consortium in an interview
with Onsite Installer magazine.
Loomis is a research and exten-
public health and the environment
through the transfer of information
about residential and small-com-
munity wastewater systems. That
makes us mission-driven and gives
tralized Wastewater Treatment. sion soil scientist with the Univer- us the responsibility and privilege
One can argue whether the group sity of Rhode Island, director of the to work with the onsite industry,
should simply change its name to New England Onsite Wastewater which really shares the same mission.
The Onsite Consortium, which is Training Program, and onsite
how you find it on the Web (www. wastewater focus area program OI: How does the consortium
onsiteconsortium.org). But there’s leader for the U.S. Department of influence the various kinds of
no debate about the contributions Agriculture district that includes training that get done in the onsite
the organization has made for the New England, New York, Puerto industry?
betterment of the onsite industry. Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Buchanan: Our work has
From an array of full-blown He serves on the consortium exec- heavily influenced the nature of John Buchanan
training programs, to a glossary that utive board and chairs the practi- training. Even before there was a
helps standardize terminology in tioner training program. consortium, a number of us inde-
an industry with many regional dif- Buchanan is an associate pro- pendently worked on curriculum
ferences, to practical, hands-on fessor of biosystems engineering for our own areas. Since then, orga-
checklists and graphics for practi- (formerly called agricultural engi- nizations like NAWT (National
tioners, to informational material neering) with the University of Association of Wastewater Trans-
for homeowners, the consortium has Tennessee at Knoxville and has an porters), NOWRA (National Onsite
an impressive list of achievements to outreach and research appoint- Wastewater Recycling Association)
show for its 12 years of existence. ment in small wastewater systems or NEHA (National Environmental
Health Association) have adjusted
their curriculums based on the pro-
“We have a policy that before we issue someone the slide sets, grams we put together.
we want them to come to a Train the Trainer event so that they They realized that our materials George Loomis
recognize the areas of emphasis we think are important — were created by professional educa-
tors who understand the informa- and pilot-trained it again.
the key points and issues that really need to be conveyed.” tion transfer process. As educators, At times during the process,
John Buchanan we can look at a group of people in the material was sent to a list of
training and ask ourselves: Are selected reviewers, typically 12 to
The consortium was founded in and stormwater. He chairs the con- they getting it? When our materials 14 people who were essentially the
1998 to encourage research, out- sortium’s executive board. came forward and the industry cream-of-the-crop practitioners in
reach and education about decen- groups saw the logic and order and their specific areas of expertise.
tralized wastewater treatment. It is OI: What would you say is the quality of the presentations, they After all that was done, we sent
an independent group of educa- driving force behind the consortium? began adopting them. the material to 50 to 100 people in
tional institutions, industry organi- Buchanan: The majority of us Loomis: All the major curricu- the industry who were members of
zations and agencies. Its membership who consider ourselves consortium lum projects the consortium has NAWT, NOWRA or NEHA. Com-
now includes representatives from academicians are from Land Grant developed are professionally peer ments from those people were then
33 higher education institutions Universities. Those universities have reviewed, and that is a huge deal. addressed in the final curriculum.
and 22 training centers, programs a mission to help develop the econ- Each program we developed was
and organizations (including state omy and technology of their states. pilot-tested four times across the OI: Do the industry associations
onsite wastewater associations), as There are about a dozen Land country. After each pilot training, actually use the consortium curric-
well as a group of individual advi- Grant Universities that still have it the writers and reviewers went ulum in their training programs?
sory members. as part of their mission to protect back and revised the information Loomis: The NAWT Operations

and Maintenance training is largely pulled to make sure it’s dark enough draw a picture of what we were that helps ensure that they’ve done
based on our National O&M Ser- in the room without it being too dark. referring to. And then people said, the job and documents that they
vice Provider program. NEHA’s Those are things people who “Oh, we call that a leachfield,” or have done it properly.
national Certified Installer of are not educators by training may we call it this, or we call it that. We
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Sys- take for granted, and yet they can realized at that moment that we OI: How were these checklists
tems credential is closely allied make or break a good educational needed a standard glossary if we created?
with the consortium’s National opportunity. We typically hold Train were going to put together an effec- Buchanan: We put them to-
Installer Training Program, which the Trainer sessions over three days tive training curriculum. We gether with help from active, work-
we developed in conjunction with in conjunction with one of the wanted the terminology to be stan- ing practitioners. We created a first
the NOWRA Installer Academy. training programs we’re conducting. dard from the first curriculum we cut as academics, including what
NEHA developed the credential created until the last one. we thought was important. That’s
and created the exam separate from OI: Who is authorized to deliver easy to do sitting at our desks or by
our training curriculum, but they consortium training programs? OI: Have you actually seen going out in the field ourselves, but
use our curriculum as the basis for Loomis: Any consortium mem- this standard terminology take then we showed them to the folks
what credentialing candidates need bers in good standing and having hold in the marketplace? who do this for a living, who our
to know. After the training is deliv- participated in the Train the Trainer Buchanan: The response to industry recognizes as the leaders,
ered, NEHA typically on the same events can access the full training the glossary has been surprisingly and they humbled us.
day or the following day offers their materials with all the PowerPoint positive. In keeping up with the lit- They said “We need our practi-
credentialing exam. It’s very much slides, speaker notes, and elec- erature that crosses my desk, and tioners to be worried about safety,
a coordinated effort by the consor- tronic materials. Because it’s all
tium, NEHA and NOWRA. peer-reviewed and nationally sanc-
Another curriculum the con- tioned material, we don’t want peo-
“We realized that we needed a standard glossary if we were
sortium developed was Analyzing ple to go in and change the slides to going to put together an effective training curriculum. We
Wastewater Treatment Systems for suit their needs, because then it’s wanted the terminology to be standard from the first curriculum
High Strength and Hydraulic Load- no longer standardized training.
ing. This was created without any But it’s perfectly legitimate for folks we created until the last one.”
outside grant funds. It came together to add slides with information George Loomis
because Bill and Betty Stuth (prac- that’s appropriate to their particu-
titioners from the State of Washington lar state or region. in seeing other people’s work in the to know how to deal with dogs, to
who specialized in that area) wanted industry, there have been quite fre- make sure they have lockout/tagout
to get the information they had OI: The consortium’s projects quent references to the glossary. products and materials so that they
developed over several decades out include the creation of a glossary That’s a source of pride in that we don’t get electrocuted. We need to
to the rest of the industry. They quite of industry terms. Why was this provided some standardization of make sure that when they leave the
unselfishly shared their knowledge. necessary? the nomenclature across the country. site they put the system back on
It’s worth noting that the Ana- Buchanan: As we went to In another instance, we’ve gone automatic and put the hang tag on
lyzing Wastewater and O&M Ser- meetings across the country and through some revisions of our code the doorknob to show the home-
vice Provider training curriculums worked with installers and mainte- in Tennessee. Some old definitions owner that they’ve been there.”
each received a Blue Ribbon Award nance providers, we found we have been updated and even dis- Those are the kinds of things we
for outstanding outreach education weren’t talking the same language carded, and they’ve been replaced didn’t know about. The practitio-
materials from the American Soci- on many issues, and we would have with the more standardized termi- ners educated us.
ety of Agricultural and Biological to ask for clarification. nology. We’ve also seen terms from
Engineers. That was quite an honor. We’d ask someone, “What kind the glossary used in some vendors’ OI: What is it about the con-
of device is that you’re talking brochures and publications. sortium and its work that makes
OI: What is the philosophy about?” They would describe how it Loomis: Like our training cur- you the most proud?
behind the consortium’s Train the works, and we’d say, “Oh, a media riculum materials, the glossary Buchanan: I would say that in
Trainer program? filter.” In addition, there are plenty went through a review process. We Tennessee, the item that has
Buchanan: We have a policy of trade names and industry names shared it with a number of people brought the biggest return on the
that before we issue someone the that are not necessarily appropriate from across the country, and they education investment is the O&M
slide sets, which are fully scripted, for communicating broadly across sent back comments that helped us Service Provider program. It gives
we want them to come to a Train the industry. improve it. me great pride to be associated
the Trainer event so that they rec- Loomis: When we went to the with the organization that put that
ognize the areas of emphasis we first meeting with the writers and OI: What was the thought program together.
think are important — the key reviewers for our O&M Service behind the various checklists the Loomis: The thing I’m particu-
points and issues that really need Provider program, we had 25 or 30 consortium created for industry larly proud of is working with a
to be conveyed. people in the room from all over professionals? group of like-minded people who
We’re also concerned with the the country. We mentioned the Buchanan: The checklists are have been effective in developing
actual nuts and bolts of presenting term “drainfield,” and we noticed the real power behind the materials materials that serve a whole variety
a training program. For example, some people with very perplexed we’ve assembled, especially from of needs for wastewater practitio-
you really ought to have a backup looks on their faces. Somebody the standpoint of someone who’s ners. By working with the industry
projector. You ought to make sure said, “What is that?” actually in the field, doing the nuts- over a number of years, we’ve been
the room is properly cooled or We thought everybody under- and-bolts installations and doing able to take our academic knowl-
heated so that everyone is comfort- stood what a drainfield was. But we the hands-on inspections and edge and apply it to help solve a lot
able, and that the blinds can be had to go to the chalkboard and maintenance. Now they have a tool of the industry’s problems. n

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case studies ATUs By Scottie Dayton
Aerated batch reactor saves Solution

Larry Rexford of Wendell Rexford and Sons in Whitefield designed the
homeowner thousands 300 gpd system using Advanced Enviro-Septic (AES) combined
treatment and dispersal pipes from Presby Environmental. He
Problem chose the technology for its reduction allowance from the water table and its
The Clermont County ability to fit into tight spaces, install on slopes without extensive retaining
(Ohio) Health Department walls, and flex around obstacles.
discovered effluent sur- Treatment occurs in a perforated plastic pipe, a white Bio-Accelerator
facing from a failed drain- geotextile fabric along the bottom exterior surface, and a surrounding layer
field and required the of plastic fiber mat and geotextile fabric. Ridges in the pipe allow effluent to
homeowner to enter the flow uninterrupted around the circumference and cool the liquid to ground
county’s Sewage Nui- temperature. Skimmer tabs at each perforation retain grease and suspended
sance Abatement Remedi- solids, protecting the outer layers from clogging.
ation Plan. Step 1 includes The Bio-Accelerator filters additional solids, speeds treatment, facili-
measures property own- tates quick startups, provides more surface area for bacterial growth, pro-
ers must take to eliminate motes even distribution, and protects outer layers and receiving surfaces
the failure by assessing the septic tank’s structural integrity. Step 2 con- from clogging. The surrounding mat of coarse fibers further filters the efflu-
serves water to reduce hydraulic loading. If both fail, successive phases add ent as it passes into the outer geotextile layer and grows a protected bacte-
flow control, pretreatment or both. The final phase modifies or replaces the rial surface.
drainfield. The lightweight pipe is installed in ASTM C-33 sand, which wicks liquid
from the geotextile fabric while transferring air to the microorganisms. The
Solution technology provides a large bacterial surface to break down solids, while an
The contractor installed a new septic tank, then recommended an efflu- ample air supply and fluctuating liquid levels increase bacterial efficiency.
ent pumping system to a modified mound drainfield for more than $20,000,
beyond the owner’s budget. The contractor researched alternatives and chose ReSult
a Saber Septic system from Advanced Wastewater Systems. The Bureau de Normalisation du Quebec and NSF Standard 40, Class
The system has a control panel, an air pump mounted outside the house, I Certified, confirmed that the system treated effluent to less than 2 mg/l
and an air diffuser and submersible pump in the septic tank. The system TSS and CBOD and 218 CFU/100 ml fecal coliform. 800/473-5298;
converts the anaerobic tank into an aerobic treatment system with program- www.presbyenvironmental.com.
mable cycles of aeration, settling, and time-dosed discharge. The oxygen-
rich effluent facilitates reduction of the biomat, allowing the drainfield to
percolate again. Pressure dosing also prevents water from backing up into
the tank or house.
The system met Steps 3 and 4 in a single, cost-effective package that took
less than three hours to install.
ReSult
The system is producing effluent with less than 20 mg/l BOD and
TSS, the drainfield is accepting it, and the homeowner saved thousands
of dollars. 812/528-8784; www.saberseptic.com.
Alternative passive technology replaces

a conventional drainfield Recirculating trickle filter discharges
Problem to sensitive waters
The owners of a
two-bedroom farmhouse Problem
in Whitefield, N.H., The conventional onsite system at Offshore Systems, a year-round
had a noncompliant marine cargo-handling terminal with 40 workers on Amaknak Island,
cesspool. They wanted Unalaska, Alaska, had two failed drainfields and compromised septic tanks.
a low-maintenance re- The leaking collection system also had inflow and infiltration problems.
placement that could Amaknak Island, part of the Aleutians, separates the Northern Pacific
withstand the rigors of Ocean from the Bering Sea. The environment is hostile and corrosion a
tenants, yet would not major concern. The terminal is part of Dutch Harbor, the city’s port.
require electrical and
mechanical components Solution
or service contracts. The facility hired Garness Engineering Group of Anchorage to design a
corrosion-resistant system to produce effluent meeting secondary standards

for discharge to sensitive marine waters. The engineers chose an AeroCell Solution
recirculating trickle filter from Quanics. They installed the two 5,000 The designer sized
gpd modules on an elevated platform inside a warehouse to protect them the system to handle
from the elements and reclaim valuable drainfield space. 1,000 gpd of com-
Wastewater from a central lift station flows into two 3,000-gallon set- bined sanitary and
tling tanks, then to the 3,000-gallon recirculation tank with alternating high-strength kitchen
duplex pumps. With an alternating motorized valve, the pump circulates waste. The Clean
liquid between the modules. Nozzles inside the units spray wastewater over Solution aerobic
foam cube media. treatment system
A gravity-flow collection system at the bottom returns treated effluent to from Wastewater
the recirculation tank. Gate valves recirculate 80 percent of the liquid and Alternatives provides
send 20 percent through the chlorination-dechlorination system with two secondary treatment.
tablet feeders. An automatic valve controls the discharge rate to the ocean. Kitchen waste flows into a 1,000-gallon grease trap, then to a 1,000-gallon
single-chamber BioCon aerobic grease trap without media. Kitchen and
ReSult sanitary flows combine in a 2,000-gallon single-chamber septic tank.
Plastic tanks and components solved the corrosion issue. Operation Effluent flows from the septic tank to a 2,000-gallon dual-chamber Bio-
and maintenance costs are minimal and the system has a small footprint. Con aerobic treatment tank with biological contact media, then to a
877/782-6427; www.quanics.net. 2,750-gallon triple-chamber settling tank before being pumped to a pipe-
and-stone leachfield. Six small 4.5 cfm linear piston air compressors aerate
the three aerobic chambers. Air bubbles keep the media in suspension and
provide dissolved oxygen for biological activity.
Passive biofilter comes
ready to install ReSult
After 18 months, grab samples of septic tank effluent had levels of
Problem 930 mg/l TSS, 1,000 mg/l BOD5, 220 mg/l FOG, and a pH of 6.0. Grab
An aerobic treatment unit failed on a samples from the final settling tank had TSS and BOD5 levels of less than
property in Van Meter, Iowa. Lack of 5 mg/l and 6 mg/l, a 99.5 percent reduction. FOG levels were less than 5
space and clay soils limited replacement mg/l — a 98 percent reduction — and pH increased to 7.3. 603/783-
options. The homeowner wanted a sys- 8042; www.thecleansolution.com.
tem with minimal maintenance and
operating costs.
Solution ATU resolves a problem on a confined lot

River to River Onsite Septic Solu-
tions in Waukee, Iowa, chose the closed- Problem
bottom, pre-assembled Ecoflo unit A more than 50-year-old septic
from Premier Tech Aqua for an in- system had completely biomatted
ground installation with minimal visual impact. RD McKinney Plumbing the leachfield, and there was no
and Excavating in Waukee installed the system, the first of its kind in the room left on the small lot to install
state. a replacement field. The household
Wastewater from the septic tank enters the top of the polyethylene shell was also low income. Officials in
and runs into a bucket that tips back and forth, evenly dispersing the efflu- the Clermont County (Ohio)
ent onto distribution plates. After passing through holes in the plates, the Department of Health wanted a
liquid percolates down through peat moss for purification. new treatment system that could
The treated water then disperses into an absorption bed of clean stone solve the problem.
and natural soil downstream. If soil conditions allow, a bottomless version
is available. Solution
Hydro-Action and Green Exca-
ReSult vating came up with a plan to donate all the time and material to the fam-
Effluent is treated to surface discharge levels without UV disinfec- ily. The designer sized the system to handle 500 gpd and chose a
tion, a space-saving step. Sampling is required annually. Results of third- Hydro-Action aerobic treatment unit from Green Excavating. The
party studies showed TSS at 3 to 6 mg/l, CBOD5 at 4 to 8 mg/l, and fecal Set-N-Go tank design has an anaerobic septic chamber, aerobic chamber
coliform at 413 to 1,571 CFU/100 ml. 800/632-6356; www.premier with a clarifier cone, and a pump tank with a Salcor 3G UV disinfection unit
techaqua.com. with re-aeration. The system exceeds Ohio EPA NPDES standards, allowing
Green Excavating to do direct discharge and avoid installing more leach-
field chambers on an already extremely small lot.
Robust solution for a coffee shop ReSult

The system produces effluent with less than 15 mg/l BOD and TSS,
Problem
greater than 6.0 mg/l dissolved oxygen, and fewer than 40 fecal coliform
High-strength wastewater caused the premature failure of onsite sys-
colonies per 100 ml. It meets the Ohio EPA environmental standards.
tems at a coffee shop chain store in New Hampshire. The owner sought a
574/936-2542; www.Hydro-Action.com.
more robust solution for a new shop in Newfields.

reduction. The microbes, permanently affixed to the media, never have to
regrow if the system is idle for a time. The media allows loading rates up to
50 gpd per square foot and is easily serviced.
ReSult
The system produces effluent with less than 2 mg/l BOD5 and less
than 7 mg/l TSS. It is discharged into Sutton Lake after UV disinfection.
800/348-9843; www.orenco.com/systems.
Aerobic packed-bed bioreactor treats

Packed-bed filter replaces a failed sand filter high-strength wastewater
Problem
Problem
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had to replace a failing 6,000 gpd
The onsite system at a whole-
sand filter at a recreational day-use facility in Sutton Lake, W.Va., before the
sale meat packing plant in Home-
summer season. The new system had to start up immediately, meet NPDES
dale, Idaho, failed. The plant, a
permit requirements of 30 mg/l BOD5 and TSS, and discharge directly into
quarter-mile from the Snake
the lake.
River, produces 2,000 gpd of
wastewater with seven times the
Solution
domestic levels of BOD and
The Corps chose the AdvanTex AX100 commercial treatment
nitrogen.
system from Orenco Systems. Workers installed three 5,000 gpd pre-
engineered modules on top of the sand filter. The compact design of the 16-
Solution
by 8- by 3.5-foot units expedited installation, minimized disruption, and
Material from the kill floor
reduced the overall footprint. The modules have telemetry monitoring and
filters through a sand and grease
draw 3 kWh/1,000 gallons.
trap, then into a 2,200-gallon
The system starts up quickly because the textile media provides a large
holding tank. Domestic wastewater flows directly to three 1,500-gallon pre-
surface for microbial attachment, producing immediate filtration TSS/BOD
cast concrete septic tanks. The two streams converge in a poured-in-place
10,000-gallon tank with a HighStrengthFAST 9.0 fixed-activated
sludge treatment unit from Bio-Microbics Inc. Two combined
1,500-gallon dose chambers with duplex pumps send the water to the one-
acre drainfield.
The technology uses a hybrid submerged and attached growth process
in an integrated fixed-film system that has the stability of attached growth
without the need for controls to keep the media wet.
Because multiple biological, biochemical, chemical, and physical pro-
cesses occur simultaneously within the aerobic packed-bed bioreactor,
nitrification and denitrification projects are easier and achieve high percent-
age reduction rates.
ReSult
Sampling required by the local health department confirmed a reduc-
tion in BOD and nitrogen levels of more than 90 percent. 800/753-3278;
www.biomicrobics.com. n
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With an estimated 26 million septic

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design and installation to the rental of
portable toilets.
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system profile
Zero Discharge
A bio-engineered system harnesses the natural process of evapotranspiration
to treat wastewater in a closed system at a Parks Canada lock in Ontario
By Scottie Dayton
L ake Simcoe, the largest inland

lake in southern Ontario,
suffers from acute nutrient
loading. Environment Canada was
concerned about contamination even
The system will go online in mid-
May when the lock opens for the
season.
Site conditions
from the restroom used by motor- Soils are clay with a percolation
ists and boaters enjoying the park rate of 50 minutes per inch. Oper-
at Lock 41 Station. ating the lock raises and lowers the
Although the conventional onsite water table 10 feet. The system par-
system with tile lines in a sand fil- allels the canal. The lock, owned by
ter was working, Environment Parks Canada, is part of the Trent-
Canada chose the site for a pilot Severn Waterway National Historic
project to test a technology that Site of Canada.
could provide long-term protection
of the watershed. Centre for Sus- System components
tainable Watersheds, a nonprofit Robin Smith, P.E., of Robin
environmental organization in Port- Smith Engineering in Hillsdale,
land, Ont., provided the engineered Ont., designed the system to han- Kirk Hastings adds the final layer of aggregate above the distribution
ECOCYCLET ZeroDischarge closed- dle 172 gpd based on a peak of 75 piping while his assistant rakes and levels it. (Photos courtesy of Centre
loop evapotranspiration bed. toilet activations per day. The major for Sustainable Watersheds)
“It’s not a wetland cell because components are:
the recirculated wastewater either • Existing 2,000-gallon two- filter with gravity-fed 3-inch If all the water evapotranspired
evaporates or is drawn up by compartment concrete septic tile distribution lines. in one cycle, the alternating pump
plants,” says president Bob Sneyd. tank. • 2,000-gallon two-compartment would run four times a day for 0.82
“There is absolutely no discharge.” • Existing 430-square-foot sand concrete recirculation tank minutes to soak the two zones with
from Wyevale Precast. 43 gallons. The bed, filled with
• Biotube simplex pump vault coarse sands and gravels, grows
System Profile and simplex control panel
from Orenco Systems.
moisture- and nutrient-loving plants
such as willows, cattails, and ferns
• Two distribution valve cham- that depend on photosynthesis and
Location: Gamebridge, Ont. bers from Rain Bird Corp. transpiration to survive. Various
• Two aeration injectors from media layers enable aerobic micro-
Facility served: Park restroom Mazzei Injector Co. organisms to assist the treatment
• ECOCYCLET ZeroDischarge process.
System designer: Robin Smith, P.E., Robin Smith Engineering, Hillsdale, Ont. Wastewater Systems. Wastewater that is not evapo-
Installers: Onsite Septic Solutions, Wyevale, Ont. transpired trickles down to the
System operation 4-inch slotted recirculation pipe in
Site conditions: Clay with percolation rate of 50 minutes per inch Wastewater flows into the sep- the bottom gravel layer in three
tic tank, then to the recirculation hours. A 2 percent slope on the bed
Type of system: ECOCYCLET ZeroDischarge Wastewater Treatment tank. Because the evapotranspira- gravity-feeds the liquid back to the
Systems, Centre for Sustainable Watersheds tion rate in the vegetation bed var- recirculation tank.
ies, pump cycles depend on the Levels of TSS, BOD, and other
Hydraulic capacity: 2,000 gpd amount of water recirculated back pollutants are irrelevant in a closed-
to the tank. loop cycle. Water-quality parameters

“High-efficiency differential injectors with internal mixing vanes
pressurize the wastewater, while creating a venturi that draws
in air through an inlet tee to aerate the recirculated wastewater
and provide dissolved oxygen for the plant roots and to enhance
bacterial action.”
Kirk Hastings
will be monitored to demonstrate the grade to achieve the required

the effectiveness of bed design and separation from the native clay.”
components and to gather data that Hastings left the dividing wall The long sides of the bed have a 2 percent inward slope of
compacted sand. Centre for Sustainable Watersheds interns from
could guide process improvements. in the recirculation tank for struc-
EPF School of Engineering, France, and wastewater program
tural integrity, but cut an 18-inch- coordinator, Étienne Bordeleau, unfold and center the low-density
Installation square transfer hole in the upper 40 mil polyethylene liner.
Onsite Septic Solutions, a pre- half. To compensate for heavy rains
ferred contractor in Wyevale, Ont., or system failure, he added a grav-
donated products and services. ity overflow port connected to a tee tank bedded on six inches of sand,
Owner Kirk Hastings and his team that directs effluent to the sand fil- and installed the pump vault. “Dur-
retrofitted the septic tank with a ter. “The tee is 12 inches above the ing pre-construction, we learned
Polylok A100 effluent filter in the high-water alarm,” he says. “Because that the inlet of the vault is two feet
second compartment. this is a pilot project, we needed a from the bottom of the tank and
“We didn’t test the tank for fail-safe procedure.” that Orenco specifies locating the
watertightness because the scum was The crew decommissioned the controls above it,” says Hastings.
at the proper level,” he says. “The sand outlet line from the septic tank, “In addition, the high-water alarm
in the sand filter is six feet above connected it to the recirculation must be one foot from the top of
the tank. Had we overlooked those
specifications, we would have lost
Kirk Hastings lowers the three feet of tank volume.” They
top half of the recirculation compensated by switching from a
tank as workers guide its 1,500-gallon to a 2,000-gallon tank.
descent. The perimeter of
Workers ran two 2-inch SDR 26 Étienne Bordeleau (left) and Kirk
the bottom half is covered
with mastic sealant. Schedule 40 pressure lines from Hastings verify the placement of
the pump vault to distribution the Biotube pump vault and final
valve chambers housed in an insu- location of the float level alarms.
lated 24-inch Polylok riser. When
the dosing pump activates, a square corners, which I wouldn’t
mechanical process inside the do again,” says Hastings. “I would
chamber automatically switches to ask the manufacturer to do it.” The
another zone. The riser, function- low-density 40 mil polyethylene liner,
ing as a service port, is located which prevents root intrusion, is
between the recirculation tank and level with the top of the bed.
the vegetation bed. The crew outlined the liner’s
“These systems are pressurized footprint with string, then created
at the distribution valves,” says a 2 percent backslope of compacted
Hastings. “High-efficiency differen- sand from the long sides of the bed
tial injectors with internal mixing toward the center. After positioning
vanes pressurize the wastewater the liner over it, they simultane-
while creating a venturi that draws ously backfilled with screened sand
in air through an inlet tee to aerate outside, and laid the slotted recir-
the recirculated wastewater and culation drain line in six inches of
provide oxygen for the plant roots leveled 3/4-inch washed round
and to enhance bacterial action.” stone inside. They used sheets of
The vegetation bed site was at plywood as temporary formers.
the toe of a 3:1 slope. After strip- “We avoided crushed stone
ping the topsoil for the 62- by because, with sufficient pressure,
16-foot footprint, Hastings back- the sharp edges could potentially
filled with six feet of sand and soil damage the material,” says Hast-
to elevate the low end of the bed. ings. “In hindsight, I should have
Installing the assembled liner built a frame for the liner. That
was the most difficult part of the would have protected it and elimi-
job. “We had to form and fit the nated importing as much sand.”

To prevent contamination from the plants and rake the gravel as
fines, the crew covered the stone necessary. Data collection, analy-
with three inches of pea gravel sis, and further research will pro-
before adding 15 inches of coarse vide additional proof of concept for
sand (percolation rate less than 60 the technology to replace tradi-
seconds per inch) topped by six tional drainfields and manage com-
inches of 3/4-inch washed stone. munal treatment systems. n
The finished bed is 2.5 feet high.
“The 1.25-inch distribution pip-
ing came predrilled with 1/8-inch MORE INFO:
orifices and flush ball valves on the
ends,” says Hastings. “The system has Mazzei Injector Company
two zones, each with eight 29-foot- 661/363-6500
long laterals on two-foot centers.” www.mazzei.net
Electricians installed the con- Orenco Systems, Inc.
trol panel. Centre for Sustainable 800/348-9843
Watersheds will work with Parks www.orenco.com
Canada to plant the vegetation. The (See ad page 3)
lock station is closed from mid- Polylok, Inc.
October to mid-May. 877/765-9565
www.polylok.com
Maintenance (See ad page 40)
No maintenance contract is
required. Centre for Sustainable Rain Bird
Watersheds gave Parks Canada an 877/727-8772
owner’s manual that recommends www.rainbird.com
cleaning the effluent filter at the Wyevale Precast
end of each season and pumping 705/322-2845
the septic tank every three to five www.wyevaleprecast.com
years. Parks employees will prune
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Marketing & Brokering
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Trying To Sell Your Business?
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Listings
Established portable restroom and septic service business located in central Virginia.
Excellent gross each of the past 3 years with no decline in revenue makes this business recession-proof.
Steady work including many contracts and repeat customers. Extensive equipment inventory, good revenue,
and owner willing to train. Great opportunity for expansion or a new career. Asking price $775,000.
New Jersey VIP Restroom/ Portable Toilet Business. Servicing Metro Philadelphia and South-
west New Jersey with VIP restroom trailers and portables. Many late model assets including 2 nice service
trucks, 1 back-up service truck, pick-up truck, 4 VIP restroom trailers, nearly 300 restrooms, sinks, holding
tanks, slide-in unit, 2 forklifts, and more. Assets worth over $300,000 - priced to sell at $399,000.
Dallas/Fort Worth Texas Area Sewer/Rehab Business For Sale. Drain Cleaning, TV inspection,
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Selling price $250,000. Chicago-Area Biosolids, Land Application, Dredging and Industrial Services Business.
Well-Established and Profitable Texas Septic, Sewer & Installation Business For Sale. Established in 1985, owner is retiring. Reputable business includes real estate servicing the entire Chicagoland
Price reduced. Grossing in excess of $600,000 annually, customer list of nearly 2,000 accounts and area with sludge and biosolids disposal and treatment services. Real estate and shop included with sale valued
430 contracted customers. Includes nice late model equipment, most are 2007, 2008 model years. Owner at $750,000, business grosses in excess of $3 million annually, $6.3 million in equipment and assets including
retiring after nearly 40 years in business. Real estate available upon request. Reduced to $450,000. several TerraGators, Vac Trailers, dump trailers, loaders and much more. $4,900,000. Huge potential, good
Amarillo, Texas sewer, drain & plumbing business established in 1976. Owner wants to profit and priced right. Non-disclosure Agreement required, all P&L statements, list of assets, and financials
retire, so take the keys to a 2004 Sprinter outfitted with all of the equipment you’ll need to run this busi- available to qualified buyers.
ness. Price includes real estate with 80x100 shop/office on two city lots. Good gross, good profit, financials WANTED. Very serious and well qualified buyer looking for sewer, septic or industrial business in Dallas,
available with signed non-disclosure. Offered at $495,000. Texas area. Must be grossing between $500,000-$1,000,000. All inquiries are kept confidential.
www.btwo.biz • jeffb@colepublishing.com • 800-257-7222

news
Onsite Installer invites your state association to post
notices and news items in this column. Send contributions
association to editor@onsiteinstaller.com.
By Scottie Dayton April 2011
North of the Border systems in areas where source water 124 onsite wastewater standards, April 27-29
Saskatchewan Health asked the protection is required. OOWA is as violations continue to threaten Georgia F.O.G. Alliance Con-
Western Canada Onsite Waste- developing the inspection proce- ground and surface waters. ference and inspector training
water Management Association dures and protocols, stressing that Members working with the Onsite course, Merle Manders Conference
(WCOWMA) to edit the Onsite inspectors have proper liability Wastewater Advisory Committee are Center, Stockbridge. E-mail Kem-
Wastewater Practitioner training insurance coverage. waiting for the department’s prelim- netta Pillette at kpillette@atlantaga.
program for onsite installers and The Onsite Wastewater Systems inary plans for a mound endorse- gov or visit www.georgiafog.com.
designers to ensure that the mate- Installers of Manitoba hired Trisha ment program. If accepted, it would
rial addressed differences in the Baldwin as a part-time training facili- allow common mound systems for June 9-10
Saskatchewan regulatory frame- tator. Baldwin will plan training ses- 3- to 5-bedroom homes with high Arizona Onsite Wastewater Recy-
work from other provinces. sions and coordinate efforts with the groundwater. The systems, follow- cling Association Onsite Wastewater
The program was developed by Continuing Education Committee. ing a basic design, would not Educational Conference, Radisson
the organization and Manitoba Alberta require an engineer of record. Suites, Tucson. E-mail Suzanne Ehrlich
Municipal Affairs and Housing. Battling Ban The association also is working at suzanne.ehrlich@co.yavapai.az.us.
Manitoba Conservation has not The Florida Onsite Wastewater through the committee to keep the
reviewed the program, but recog- Association created a Septage Land code current, to clarify gray areas, June 18-20
nizes it on a federal agreement that Application Committee chaired by and to develop more challenging National Environmental Health
allows for cross-border transfer of Ellen Vause of Florida Septic Inc. in tests for certification based on new Association, National Onsite Waste-
certain certified professionals. Hawthorne, in response to state products, methods, and code changes. water Recycling Association, and
In 2010, WCOWMA held sev- legislation that bans land-applied State Onsite Regulators Alliance
eral training sessions in British biosolids in 2016. New Local Chapter joint Onsite Wastewater Summit
Columbia and formed relationships Besides providing the state Hill Country is a new chapter of and NEHA 75th Annual Educa-
with provincial and regional regu- Department of Health with com- the Texas Onsite Wastewater Asso- tional Conference and Exhibition,
latory bodies, highlighted by signif- ments on the ban, the committee ciation. Officers are Greg Johnson, Columbus, Ohio. Visit www.neha
icant input on a provincial training provided industry expertise and president; Miguel Arreloa, vice pres- 2011aec.org/wastewater.html.
review study. support for a report to the governor ident; and Wiley Cloud, secretary.
Last year, installers reported to on methods and alternatives for TRAINING & EDUCATION
the Alberta Onsite Wastewater Man- improving land application require- Lift and Signal
agement Association (AOWMA) ments. The committee states that a The January Wisconsin Onsite Small Flows Online
that the updated provincial Stan- few rule upgrades would ensure Water Recycling Association news- The cover story of the fall/win-
dard of Practice magnified some that the practice of land application letter states that the OSHA require- ter Small Flows from the National
long-standing permitting, inspec- meet the requirements to protect ment for crane operator licensing Environmental Services Center
tions and enforcement issues. public and environment. on construction sites will mean lia- examines wastewater reuse. Other
The association developed an bility for installers, as a certified articles include the continued use
ad hoc task force with key officials On the Move signal person must be on site when of honey buckets in Alaska, an
in Alberta Municipal Affairs and The Iowa Onsite Wastewater contractors deliver and set septic overview of services provided by
the Safety Codes Council to address Association will take over the tanks. The regulations do not say university-based extension ser-
them. Task force members called state’s credentialing process for the who provides the signal person, so vices, a report about meth labs and
for changes, especially develop- Certified Installer of Onsite Waste- installers must clarify that detail their impact on environmental
ment of a standardized permitting water Treatment Systems. Iowa has with crane owners or operators health, information about water-
process and a more efficient and 207 certified professionals. The before delivery. efficient plumbing and how these
accountable enforcement structure. association received a $100,000 U.S. Installers who modify their fixtures can prolong the life of
Dale McLure, president of AOWMA, Department of Agriculture Techni- excavators to lift items and set their onsite septic systems, and a humor-
represents the association on the cal Assistance and Training grant own tanks also fall under the ous look at luxury toilets. The issue
Alberta Septage Advisory Committee. to develop training materials on licensing rules and must be opera- is available only in PDF format at
The Ontario Onsite Wastewater installing, maintaining, and sam- tor, rigging and signalmen certi- www.nesc.wvu.edu/smallflows.cfm.
Association (OOWA) began a Reg- pling advanced treatment systems. fied. Crane operators have until
istered Professional Program as Members will work with various man- 2013 to certify; the signal person NAWT
part of an ongoing education initia- ufacturers to develop the program. requirements are in effect. The National Association of
tive and became a Certified Deliv- Darwin Bengford of Municipal Sup- Wastewater Transporters has these
ery Agent for the Ministry of ply in Des Moines was elected to a CALENDAR OF EVENTS training sessions:
Municipal Affairs and Housing to three-year term as president. • June 8 – Inspector Training and
deliver onsite installer courses April 3-5 Recertification, Tucson, Ariz.
through various partners. Level Playing Field Ontario Onsite Wastewater Asso- • July 21-22 – Inspector
The association is working with The Nebraska On-site Waste ciation Conference and Exhibition, Training and Certification,
regulators to update the Ontario Water Association is monitoring Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville. Call Sonora, Calif.
Building Code. One revision includes how the state Department of Envi- Denis Orendt at 905/372-2722 or For Arizona classes, call Kitt
mandatory inspections of onsite ronmental Quality applies the Title visit www.oowa.org. Farrell-Poe at 520/621-7221. For New

Mexico classes, call Coda Omness Contact FOWA at 321/363-1590 • May 26 – Installing Conven- • May 23-27 – Onsite Design
at 575/257-3012. For California or www.fowaonsite.com. tional Onsite Systems Camp II, Farmville
classes, call Kit Rosefield at 530/513- • June 2 – Installing Advanced Contact Lydia Shepherd at 434/
6658 or visit www.cowa.org. Iowa Onsite Systems 292-3101, e-mail lydia.shepherd@
The Iowa Onsite Wastewater • June 2 – Innovative and southside.edu, or visit www.south
Alabama Association has these courses: Alternative Technology Field side.edu.
Licensing classes are the joint • May 16 – Sand Filters At-Grades Training, Peckham Farm
effort of the Alabama Onsite Waste- and Mounds, Mason City • June 8 – Soil Basics for the Washington State
water Association (AOWA) and • June 17 – Site Evaluations Onsite Wastewater The Washington On-Site Sew-
University of West Alabama (UWA). and Soils, Emmetsburg Contractor age Association and Washington
Courses are at UWA Livingston Call Alice Vinsand at 515-225- • June 16 – Hands-On State Department of Health in
campus unless stated otherwise: 1051, e-mail execdir@iowwa.com, Component Installation cooperation with Washington State
• May 4-6 – Advanced Installer II or visit www.iowwa.com. • June 23 – Bottomless Sand University are offering these certifi-
• June 1-3 – Basic Installer Filter Design and Installation cation courses at the training cen-
• June 23-24 – Continuing Minnesota Call 401/874-5950 or visit www. ter in Puyallup:
Education, Dothan The University of Minnesota uri.edu/ce/wq. For soil course infor- • May 3-4 – Basics of Electrical
The first day of Continuing Extension has these classes: mation, call Mark Stolt at 401/874- Applications in Onsite Systems
Education classes is for installers • May 2-4 – Pumping and 2915 or e-mail mstolt@uri.edu. • May 11 – Basics of Installing,
and the second day for pumpers Maintaining Onsite Systems, Part 3
and portable restroom operators. Mankato New Hampshire • May 25 – Electrical Control
Call the training center at 205/652- • May 2-6 – Pumper/Mainte- The Granite State Designers Panels
3803 or visit www.aowatc.uwa.edu. nance and Service Provider, and Installers Association is offer- Call WOSSA at 253/770-6594
Mankato ing Certified Septic Evaluator train- or visit www.wossa.org.
Arizona • May 3-6 – Service Provider, ing May 3-7 in Bow. Call 603/
The Arizona Onsite Wastewater Mankato 228-1231 or visit www.gsdia.org. Wisconsin
Recycling Association is sponsor- • May 10-12 – Basic Design of The Wisconsin Onsite Water
ing the NAWT Inspection Training Onsite Systems, Mankato Virginia Recycling Association is holding a
and Recertification course on June • May 18 – Soils Continuing The Virginia Center for Onsite Private Onsite Wastewater Treat-
8 at the Radisson Suites Hotel in Education, Farmington Wastewater Training has these ment System Evaluator Course May
Tucson. Call Kitt Farrell-Poe at • May 24-27 – Advanced Design classes: 16-17 in Manitowoc. Call 608/256-
520/621-7221 or e-mail kittfp@ on Onsite Systems, Mankato • May 9-13 – Soils (Site 7757 or visit www.wowra.com. n
ag.arizona.edu or visit www.ag.ari- • June 1-3 – Soils, Alexandria Evaluation), Ashland
zona.edu/waterquality/onsite. • June 7-8 – Inspecting Onsite
Systems, Waseca
California • June 15 – Soils Continuing
The California Onsite Waste- Education, Forest Lake
water Association is offering these • June 21 – Soils Continuing
NAWT classes: Education, Worthington
• May 13 – Science of Soils, • June 22-24 – Soils, Mankato
San Luis Obispo • June 29 – Soils Continuing
• July 21-22 – NAWT Onsite Education, St. Cloud
Inspector Training and Call Nick Haig at 800/322-
Certification, Sonora 8642 or visit www.septic.umn.edu.
Call Kit Rosefield at 530/513-
6658 or visit www.cowa.org. Missouri
The Missouri Smallflows Orga-
Florida nization is offering these CEU courses:
Courses are at the Florida Onsite • May 10-11 – Operations and
Wastewater Association Training Maintenance, Springfield
Center in Polk City unless stated • June 28 – Selling the System
otherwise. to the Site Conditions, Sedalia
• May 4 – High-Strength • June 29 – Media Filters, Sedalia
Wastewater Treatment Call Tammy Yelden at 417/739-
Systems, Daytona Beach 4100 or visit www.mosmallflows.org.
• May 10 – Installer Program
III, Jacksonville New England
• May 11 – Installer Program The New England Onsite
III, Tallahassee Wastewater Training Center at the
• May 16 – Master I: Onsite University of Rhode Island in
Wastewater Concepts, Mats, Kingston has these courses:
Regs, and App Process • May 5 – Functional
• May 17-18 – Master II: Intro to Inspections
Soils and the Evaluation Process • May 12 – Innovative &
• May 19-20 – Master III: Alternative Technologies
Onsite System Construction • May 19 – All About Series:
Permits and Inspections Sand Media

DRAINFIELD RESTORATION TRUCKS, MISC.
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and Gast Rotary Vane aerators, rebuild kits Business. Established in 1985, owner is 696-3370 NC. (P04)
and alarms at wholesale prices. Septic Ser- retiring. Reputable business includes real
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888-227-9822. www.carymfg.com. (IBM) quired, all P&L statements, list of assets, and sion, tag axle. $30,000. Call JD at 775-825-
Finally! One-man septic lid lifter. Lifts lids with 1595, email jd@watersvacuum.com. (P04)
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BUSINESSES 7222 and ask for Jeff Bruss for more details. 1981 IH 1554 Agri-Truck. Large floater tires,
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customer list of nearly 2,000 accounts and Hydromatic, Zoeller, Liberty, ABS, Myers,
430 contracted customers. Includes nice late WAnTEd: Looking to acquire septic busi- 2004 International. 14/40. 2010, 3600 gallon
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years. Owner retiring after nearly 40 years in confidential. 508-868-7627. (IBM) Masport. Powerwash. All hydraulic. Heated
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tory direct $6,250. www.soilshaker.com or call haasenv.com. (P04) 678-520-6161 GA. (P04)
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The latest in ATUs

Work of the Onsite

A look at tank design

Work of the Onsite

A look at tank design

April 2011 Starting

Call toll free 800-257-7222; outside of U.S. or Canada call 715-546-3346

16 Basic Training: Septic Tank Designs

18 Rules and Regs: Maryland Launches Grants for

32 System Profile: Zero Discharge Coming Next Month: May 2011

2 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

Alita Industries, Inc. ............................. 30

4 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

Snyder’s Newest Low Proﬁle Design is One Tough Septic Tank

Bottom male ribs

• ONE-PIECE CONSTRUCTION. No seams that might leak or structurally

I magine that you’re an onsite

6 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

If your business includes services like septic tank pumping and

8 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

Made in the USA

April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 11

maintenance that lets me stay on a

www.xerxes.com • (952) 887-1890 phone

Kevin Chaffee, President • kevin@saberseptic.com

April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 13

14 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

basic training with the University of Minnesota onsite waste-

Septic Tank Designs

T his continues our series on

The right detention time

16 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

When working with home- More tanks or compartments?

April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 17

Maryland Launches Grants

T he Maryland Board of Public

18 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

For more information, call us today!

April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 19

T he 31st Annual Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo Interna-

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April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 21

22 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

February 27 - March 1, 2012

Newly expanded indiana Top ten reasons Indianapolis

A Quiet Force for Progress

T here’s a group of unsung

24 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 25

HAS BEEN SOLD Pumps

30" & 36"

April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 27

Aerated batch reactor saves Solution

Alternative passive technology replaces

28 | ONSITE INSTALLER April 2011

Solution ATU resolves a problem on a confined lot

Robust solution for a coffee shop ReSult

April 2011 ONSITE INSTALLER | 29

Aerobic packed-bed bioreactor treats

ALITA LINEAR AIR PUMP ®

Full range of efficient and reliable aeration