November 2015

2015

Nov

embe

r

PROMOTING WASTEWATER TREATMENT QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE www.onsiteinstaller.com

Best techniques forinsulating systems Page 16

6 ways to get more tire life Page 20

The metal tankhas to go nowPage 26

The father-son team at Monadnock Septic Design promotes working with other onsite professionals and trade association involvement to improve service to customers PAGE 10

WERE BETTERTOGETHER

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ISI_ONSITEINSTALLEROCT2015FP4C.indd 2 9/24/15 8:45 AM

4 | ONSITE INSTALLER November 2015

contents 2015November PROMOTING WASTEWATER TREATMENT QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE www.onsiteinstaller.com Best techniques forinsulating systems Page 16 6 ways to get more tire life Page 20The metal tankhas to go nowPage 26The father-son team at Monadnock Septic Design promotes working with other onsite professionals and trade association involvement to improve service to customers PAGE 10

WERE BETTERTOGETHER

Call toll free 800-257-7222;

outside of U.S. or Canada call 715-546-33467:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Central time, Mon.-Fri.

Website: www.onsiteinstaller.com Email: [email protected] Fax: 715-546-3786

SUBSCRIPTIONSA 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 the United States or Canada that partakes in the installation, design, maintenance, 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 $120 per year outside of the United States. To subscribe please visit onsiteinstaller.com or send company name, mailing address, phone number and check or money order (U.S. funds payable to COLE Publishing Inc.) to the address above. MasterCard, VISA and Discover are also accepted. Supply credit card information with your subscription order.

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 not to be a part of these lists, please contact Nicole at [email protected].

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGMinimum rate of $25 for 20 words; $1 per each additional word. All classi-fied advertising must be paid in advance. DEADLINE: Classified ads must be received by the first of the month for insertion in the next months 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). Mail with check payable to COLE Publishing Inc. to the address above. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING APPEARS NATIONWIDE AND ON THE INTERNET. Not responsible for errors beyond first insertion.

DISPLAY ADVERTISINGContact Winnie May at 800-994-7990. Publisher reserves the right to reject advertising which in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible with the character of the publication.

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCESend to Editor, Onsite Installer, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes, WI, 54562 or email [email protected].

REPRINTS AND BACK ISSUESVisit www.onsiteinstaller.com for options and pricing. To order reprints, call Jeff Lane at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email [email protected]. To order back issues, call Nicole at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email [email protected].

CIRCULATION Circulation averages 21,954 copies per month. This figure includes both U.S. and International distribution.

Copyright 2015 COLE Publishing Inc.No part may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

November 2015

10 Together Were Better By Gil Longwell ON THE COVER: Scott and Carl Hagstrom value the professionalism theyve honed through

involvement with onsite industry trade groups. The father-and-son team works on a wide variety of onsite system designs through their company, Monadnock Septic Design, in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. (Photo by Elizabeth Frantz)

6 Editors Notebook: The Million-Dollar Outhouse A mile-long sewer pipe extension to serve a remote bathroom in Minnesota shows were not

doing enough to promote effective onsite wastewater treatment. By Jim Kneiszel

8 @onsiteinstaller.com Be sure to check out our exclusive online content.

16 Basic Training: Tips to Avoid the Deep Freeze When youre working in a cold climate, be sure to adequately insulate pipes, tanks and

system access points to prevent costly and inconvenient emergency onsite service calls. By Jim Anderson and David Gustafson

18 WWETT Spotlight: Orenco Systems Touts Versatility of AdvanTex Technology

By Craig Mandli

20 Shop Talk: 6 Ways to Get More Value From Your Tires Proper maintenance can preserve tread life, make trips safer and put money in your pocket. By Ed Wodalski

26 System Profile: Collapsing Metal Waterfront Tank Has to Go Installer Greg Simac, regulators and suppliers work together for a seamless emergency tank

replacement project at a busy Wisconsin resort. By Scottie Dayton

30 State of the State: Building Back in Bama Alabama wastewater professionals re-energize their state association, promote training,

certification and volunteer work. By Doug Day

32 Rules and Regs: Federal EPA Has Authority to Set Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Standards

By Doug Day

34 Product Focus: New Technology/Installation Tools By Craig Mandli

38 Product News

40 Industry News

42 Associations List

ISSUE FOCUS: Business Diversification: Pumping and System Maintenance- Contractor Profile: An inspection company thrives in Maryland- System Profile: An island system off Maine poses challenges

cover story

Coming Next Month: December 2015

Winnie May

Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Showwww.wwettshow.com

EDUCATION DAY: Feb. 17, 2016 EXHIBITS OPEN: Feb. 18-20, 2016Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

1720 Maple Lake Dam Rd. PO Box 220Three Lakes, WI 54562

Published monthly by

Get Social with Onsite Installer

www.facebook.com/OnsiteInstallerwww.twitter.com/OnsiteInstaller

www.plus.google.comwww.youtube.com/OnsiteInstaller

www.linkedin.com/company/onsite-installer-magazine

advertiserindex

Alita Industries, Inc. ...............................33Ashland Pump............................................13

Bio-Microbics, Inc. ...................................19

Brenlin Company, Inc. .............................19Precast, Inc.

Crest Precast, Inc. .....................................15Den Hartog Industries, Inc. .....................7

Eljen Corporation ......................................29

Fergus Power Pump, Inc. ......................32

Fuji Clean USA ............................................15

Infiltrator Water Technologies, LLC ......3

Jet Inc...............................................................43MACBlowers by Fuji Clean of Japan ..43

Netafim USA ................................................37

Norweco, Inc. ..................................................9

Polylok, Inc. / Zabel .................................44

Presby Environmental .............................5Roth Global Plastics ................................19

DISINFECTION

Salcor Inc. .....................................................31

See Water Inc. .............................................29

Septic Products, Inc. ................................33

Septic Services, Inc. ....................................8

Septronics Inc. ............................................21

Sim/Tech Filter Inc. ................................15

Simple Solutions Distributing ...........43

SJE-Rhombus...........................................17

T&T Tools, Inc. ............................................29

The Dirty Bird (BS Design Corp) ........43The Shaddix Company, Inc. ..................43

Tuf-Tite Inc. .....................................................2Water Cannon, Inc. - MWBE ...............43

Wieser Concrete ........................................33

Zabel/Polylok, Inc ....................................44

NOVEMBER 2015

COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE

Enjoy this issue!Established in 2004, Onsite Installer fosters higher professionalism and profitability for those who design and install septic systems and other onsite wastewater treatment systems.

Polylok/Zabel NEEDS TO BE LISTED AS Polylok, Inc./Zabel AND Zabel/Polylok, Inc

November 2015 ONSITE INSTALLER | 5

contents 2015November PROMOTING WASTEWATER TREATMENT QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE www.onsiteinstaller.com Best techniques forinsulating systems Page 16 6 ways to get more tire life Page 20The metal tankhas to go nowPage 26The father-son team at Monadnock Septic Design promotes working with other onsite professionals and trade association involvement to improve service to customers PAGE 10

WERE BETTERTOGETHER

Call toll free 800-257-7222;

outside of U.S. or Canada call 715-546-33467:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Central time, Mon.-Fri.

Website: www.onsiteinstaller.com Email: [email protected] Fax: 715-546-3786

SUBSCRIPTIONSA 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 the United States or Canada that partakes in the installation, design, maintenance, 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 $120 per year outside of the United States. To subscribe please visit onsiteinstaller.com or send company name, mailing address, phone number and check or money order (U.S. funds payable to COLE Publishing Inc.) to the address above. MasterCard, VISA and Discover are also accepted. Supply credit card information with your subscription order.

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 not to be a part of these lists, please contact Nicole at [email protected].

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGMinimum rate of $25 for 20 words; $1 per each additional word. All classi-fied advertising must be paid in advance. DEADLINE: Classified ads must be received by the first of the month for insertion in the next months 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). Mail with check payable to COLE Publishing Inc. to the address above. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING APPEARS NATIONWIDE AND ON THE INTERNET. Not responsible for errors beyond first insertion.

DISPLAY ADVERTISINGContact Winnie May at 800-994-7990. Publisher reserves the right to reject advertising which in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible with the character of the publication.

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCESend to Editor, Onsite Installer, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes, WI, 54562 or email [email protected].

REPRINTS AND BACK ISSUESVisit www.onsiteinstaller.com for options and pricing. To order reprints, call Jeff Lane at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email [email protected]. To order back issues, call Nicole at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email [email protected].

CIRCULATION Circulation averages 21,954 copies per month. This figure includes both U.S. and International distribution.

Copyright 2015 COLE Publishing Inc.No part may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

November 2015

10 Together Were Better By Gil Longwell ON THE COVER: Scott and Carl Hagstrom value the professionalism theyve honed through

involvement with onsite industry trade groups. The father-and-son team works on a wide variety of onsite system designs through their company, Monadnock Septic Design, in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. (Photo by Elizabeth Frantz)

6 Editors Notebook: The Million-Dollar Outhouse A mile-long sewer pipe extension to serve a remote bathroom in Minnesota shows were not

doing enough to promote effective onsite wastewater treatment. By Jim Kneiszel

8 @onsiteinstaller.com Be sure to check out our exclusive online content.

16 Basic Training: Tips to Avoid the Deep Freeze When youre working in a cold climate, be sure to adequately insulate pipes, tanks and

system access points to prevent costly and inconvenient emergency onsite service calls. By Jim Anderson and David Gustafson

18 WWETT Spotlight: Orenco Systems Touts Versatility of AdvanTex Technology

By Craig Mandli

20 Shop Talk: 6 Ways to Get More Value From Your Tires Proper maintenance can preserve tread life, make trips safer and put money in your pocket. By Ed Wodalski

26 System Profile: Collapsing Metal Waterfront Tank Has to Go Installer Greg Simac, regulators and suppliers work together for a seamless emergency tank

replacement project at a busy Wisconsin resort. By Scottie Dayton

30 State of the State: Building Back in Bama Alabama wastewater professionals re-energize their state association, promote training,

certification and volunteer work. By Doug Day

32 Rules and Regs: Federal EPA Has Authority to Set Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Standards

By Doug Day

34 Product Focus: New Technology/Installation Tools By Craig Mandli

38 Product News

40 Industry News

42 Associations List

ISSUE FOCUS: Business Diversification: Pumping and System Maintenance- Contractor Profile: An inspection company thrives in Maryland- System Profile: An island system off Maine poses challenges

cover story

Coming Next Month: December 2015

Winnie May

Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Showwww.wwettshow.com

EDUCATION DAY: Feb. 17, 2016 EXHIBITS OPEN: Feb. 18-20, 2016Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

1720 Maple Lake Dam Rd. PO Box 220Three Lakes, WI 54562

Published monthly by

Get Social with Onsite Installer

www.facebook.com/OnsiteInstallerwww.twitter.com/OnsiteInstaller

www.plus.google.comwww.youtube.com/OnsiteInstaller

www.linkedin.com/company/onsite-installer-magazine

advertiserindex

Alita Industries, Inc. ...............................33Ashland Pump............................................13

Bio-Microbics, Inc. ...................................19

Brenlin Company, Inc. .............................19Precast, Inc.

Crest Precast, Inc. .....................................15Den Hartog Industries, Inc. .....................7

Eljen Corporation ......................................29

Fergus Power Pump, Inc. ......................32

Fuji Clean USA ............................................15

Infiltrator Water Technologies, LLC ......3

Jet Inc...............................................................43MACBlowers by Fuji Clean of Japan ..43

Netafim USA ................................................37

Norweco, Inc. ..................................................9

Polylok, Inc. / Zabel .................................44

Presby Environmental .............................5Roth Global Plastics ................................19

DISINFECTION

Salcor Inc. .....................................................31

See Water Inc. .............................................29

Septic Products, Inc. ................................33

Septic Services, Inc. ....................................8

Septronics Inc. ............................................21

Sim/Tech Filter Inc. ................................15

Simple Solutions Distributing ...........43

SJE-Rhombus...........................................17

T&T Tools, Inc. ............................................29

The Dirty Bird (BS Design Corp) ........43The Shaddix Company, Inc. ..................43

Tuf-Tite Inc. .....................................................2Water Cannon, Inc. - MWBE ...............43

Wieser Concrete ........................................33

Zabel/Polylok, Inc ....................................44

NOVEMBER 2015

COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE

Enjoy this issue!Established in 2004, Onsite Installer fosters higher professionalism and profitability for those who design and install septic systems and other onsite wastewater treatment systems.

Polylok/Zabel NEEDS TO BE LISTED AS Polylok, Inc./Zabel AND Zabel/Polylok, Inc


n almost unbelievable tale illustrates the folly of blindly believing the big pipe of municipal sewer is the appropriate answer to any wastewater challenge.

Some folks complained about the condition of an outhouse on a peninsula jutting into a small lake heading toward the Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. The outhouse emits a foul odor on the hottest day of the summer and no one would describe it as comfortable restroom accommodations. But officials from the states Department of Natural Resources have said its not creating any environmental hazards.

It is one of 1,500 outhouses at DNR boat landings across Minnesota, with all but 10 of them being what is often described as pit toilets. This one is pumped once a year for $250 to take away 150 to 250 gallons of waste, according to the DNR. Most people might recommend constructing a nicer pit toilet or placing a portable restroom at the launch site and call it a day.

But not Minnesotas state Legislature. Through various appropriations, the state authorized running sewer pipe 1.1 miles to the site and approved a plan to spend $300,000 to build a bathroom with flush toilets and running water.

On its face, this story seems ludicrous. Who would spend an estimated $1.3 million to replace a pit toilet handling a few hundred gallons of waste per summer with a bathroom utilizing flush toilets? Supporters of the expenditure argue it will help the environment; opponents call it a boondoggle and part of a bigger plan to expand municipal sewers to a sparsely populated recreational area. They say the few seasonal homes in the Crane Lake area cant support a public sewer and that the high infrastructure costs will become a vast financial burden on users.

QUESTIONABLE DECISION

University of Minnesota onsite expert Sara Heger, in a report by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, called the decision to run the sewer pipe to the outhouse backwards. A trusted leader in the installer community, Heger was critical of beginning construction of the sewer line based on property record studies that indicated a high percentage of failing systems in the area not based on a physical inspection of septic systems.

A very expensive pipe is going out there for a very small amount of water, Heger told the newspaper.

Opponents including Brent Bystrom agree. A civil engineer in the Twin Cities, Bystroms elderly parents live on Crane Lake and someday they may be forced to hook up to the municipal sewer line. Bystrom contends these remote homeowners stand to face large connection fees and monthly service fees of $80 to $100, when existing or updated septic systems would serve them more economically.

I tried to fight it, not because of my parents but because its the wrong thing for the community, Bystrom told me. Because they will have to manage it, and eventually it will drive the community into bankruptcy.

Bystrom says the numbers just dont support the public sewer option. The area is more than four hours north of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and he says most people dont want to drive that far to a second home. He contends there are less than 300 properties in the sewer district, and only a small percentage have hooked up voluntarily to date. He estimates the area only has about 60 year-round residents. Bystrom believes Crane Lake is like many small communities where individual onsite systems should have been chosen as the answer.

The goal is to put as many residents as they can into the wastewater treatment facility to bring additional flow as well as revenue, Bystrom says. They oversized it for development and the development hasnt taken place. Now its an albatross. If theyd provided the proper guidance, most people would look at the cost-benefit analysis and say individual systems would be the wise thing to do.

A DISCLAIMER

Im sure the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District story is more

FeedbackOnsite Installer welcomes your comments, ideas and suggestions on how we can serve you better. Call 800/257-7222; fax 715/546-3786; or email [email protected].

editorsnotebook

The Million-Dollar OuthouseA mile-long sewer pipe extension to serve a remote bathroom in Minnesota shows were not doing enough to promote effective onsite wastewater treatmentBy Jim Kneiszel

A

The concept of the municipal sewer line seems so carefree and easy to homeowners. Flush the toilet and someone somewhere down the line takes care of your waste. ... When you hear about a potential sewer extension project, urge property owners and lawmakers to crunch the numbers and consider individual onsite or cluster systems when it makes sense.

The Million-Dollar Outhouse

complex than Im letting on in this brief retelling. Im sure plenty of local and state political maneuvering was involved in the outcome. Given the opportunity, proponents could try to justify the costly sewer line extension to a rustic outhouse. Interested parties could and probably will accuse me of oversimplifying the issue.

Im not here to drill down into a local issue of importance to a small northwoods community or to Minnesota taxpayers. Rather, this microissue points to a macrochallenge we have in the onsite industry. What can we do to persuade officials who make wastewater funding decisions to give fair consideration to decentralized treatment options? The Crane Lake example tells me we have a lot of communications work to do.

We must:

Share the good news about advanced onsite technology.Decentralized wastewater treatment advances have been coming at a

blistering pace in recent years. Todays systems are more effective, more reliable, easier to install and more cost-effective. A wide variety of technologies open up properties for development that were previously thought to be too small or contain too poor of a soil profile to support building. These messages need to reach property owners disgruntled over being told their aging systems (which, by the way, have often performed well beyond expectations) need replacement and bureaucrats who relentlessly promote municipal sewer extensions.

Preach operations, maintenance and thorough inspections.

Much of the criticism of onsite systems can be traced not to the technology or the system installer, but to a failure on the part of owners to provide adequate maintenance. A bury-it-and-forget-about-it mentality must be changed for the onsite industry to reach its full potential. System owners

must be convinced to pursue maintenance contracts and follow the reasonable usage guidelines set forth by qualified installers. Sure, systems can perform better and create a cleaner environment, but this doesnt happen when owners ignore their needs or test them beyond their limits. Always go the extra mile in customer education and support efforts to require periodic system inspections.

Discourage a sewer-is-always-best attitude.

The concept of the municipal sewer line seems so carefree and easy to homeowners. Flush the toilet and someone somewhere down the line takes care of your waste. City, town and county officials dont readily consider efficiency in the wastewater treatment equation. In smaller communities, the cost to build the infrastructure and operate a treatment plant is shared by fewer users. And homeowners have a tendency to give more weight to the cost of hookup and forget that those high monthly and quarterly sewer bills keep coming. When you hear about a potential sewer extension project, urge property owners and lawmakers to crunch the numbers and consider individual onsite or cluster systems when it makes sense.

TAKE A STAND

Do you face an uphill battle convincing folks about the value of individual wastewater systems or cluster systems to serve neighborhoods in your area? What lessons have you learned that can help other installers get the onsite message across to a distracted or disinterested public? Drop me a line and Ill share your thoughts in a future column. O


n almost unbelievable tale illustrates the folly of blindly believing the big pipe of municipal sewer is the appropriate answer to any wastewater challenge.

Some folks complained about the condition of an outhouse on a peninsula jutting into a small lake heading toward the Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. The outhouse emits a foul odor on the hottest day of the summer and no one would describe it as comfortable restroom accommodations. But officials from the states Department of Natural Resources have said its not creating any environmental hazards.

It is one of 1,500 outhouses at DNR boat landings across Minnesota, with all but 10 of them being what is often described as pit toilets. This one is pumped once a year for $250 to take away 150 to 250 gallons of waste, according to the DNR. Most people might recommend constructing a nicer pit toilet or placing a portable restroom at the launch site and call it a day.

But not Minnesotas state Legislature. Through various appropriations, the state authorized running sewer pipe 1.1 miles to the site and approved a plan to spend $300,000 to build a bathroom with flush toilets and running water.

On its face, this story seems ludicrous. Who would spend an estimated $1.3 million to replace a pit toilet handling a few hundred gallons of waste per summer with a bathroom utilizing flush toilets? Supporters of the expenditure argue it will help the environment; opponents call it a boondoggle and part of a bigger plan to expand municipal sewers to a sparsely populated recreational area. They say the few seasonal homes in the Crane Lake area cant support a public sewer and that the high infrastructure costs will become a vast financial burden on users.

QUESTIONABLE DECISION

University of Minnesota onsite expert Sara Heger, in a report by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, called the decision to run the sewer pipe to the outhouse backwards. A trusted leader in the installer community, Heger was critical of beginning construction of the sewer line based on property record studies that indicated a high percentage of failing systems in the area not based on a physical inspection of septic systems.

A very expensive pipe is going out there for a very small amount of water, Heger told the newspaper.

Opponents including Brent Bystrom agree. A civil engineer in the Twin Cities, Bystroms elderly parents live on Crane Lake and someday they may be forced to hook up to the municipal sewer line. Bystrom contends these remote homeowners stand to face large connection fees and monthly service fees of $80 to $100, when existing or updated septic systems would serve them more economically.

I tried to fight it, not because of my parents but because its the wrong thing for the community, Bystrom told me. Because they will have to manage it, and eventually it will drive the community into bankruptcy.

Bystrom says the numbers just dont support the public sewer option. The area is more than four hours north of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and he says most people dont want to drive that far to a second home. He contends there are less than 300 properties in the sewer district, and only a small percentage have hooked up voluntarily to date. He estimates the area only has about 60 year-round residents. Bystrom believes Crane Lake is like many small communities where individual onsite systems should have been chosen as the answer.

The goal is to put as many residents as they can into the wastewater treatment facility to bring additional flow as well as revenue, Bystrom says. They oversized it for development and the development hasnt taken place. Now its an albatross. If theyd provided the proper guidance, most people would look at the cost-benefit analysis and say individual systems would be the wise thing to do.

A DISCLAIMER

Im sure the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District story is more

FeedbackOnsite Installer welcomes your comments, ideas and suggestions on how we can serve you better. Call 800/257-7222; fax 715/546-3786; or email [email protected].

editorsnotebook

The Million-Dollar OuthouseA mile-long sewer pipe extension to serve a remote bathroom in Minnesota shows were not doing enough to promote effective onsite wastewater treatmentBy Jim Kneiszel

A

The concept of the municipal sewer line seems so carefree and easy to homeowners. Flush the toilet and someone somewhere down the line takes care of your waste. ... When you hear about a potential sewer extension project, urge property owners and lawmakers to crunch the numbers and consider individual onsite or cluster systems when it makes sense.

The Million-Dollar Outhouse

complex than Im letting on in this brief retelling. Im sure plenty of local and state political maneuvering was involved in the outcome. Given the opportunity, proponents could try to justify the costly sewer line extension to a rustic outhouse. Interested parties could and probably will accuse me of oversimplifying the issue.

Im not here to drill down into a local issue of importance to a small northwoods community or to Minnesota taxpayers. Rather, this microissue points to a macrochallenge we have in the onsite industry. What can we do to persuade officials who make wastewater funding decisions to give fair consideration to decentralized treatment options? The Crane Lake example tells me we have a lot of communications work to do.

We must:

Share the good news about advanced onsite technology.Decentralized wastewater treatment advances have been coming at a

blistering pace in recent years. Todays systems are more effective, more reliable, easier to install and more cost-effective. A wide variety of technologies open up properties for development that were previously thought to be too small or contain too poor of a soil profile to support building. These messages need to reach property owners disgruntled over being told their aging systems (which, by the way, have often performed well beyond expectations) need replacement and bureaucrats who relentlessly promote municipal sewer extensions.

Preach operations, maintenance and thorough inspections.

Much of the criticism of onsite systems can be traced not to the technology or the system installer, but to a failure on the part of owners to provide adequate maintenance. A bury-it-and-forget-about-it mentality must be changed for the onsite industry to reach its full potential. System owners

must be convinced to pursue maintenance contracts and follow the reasonable usage guidelines set forth by qualified installers. Sure, systems can perform better and create a cleaner environment, but this doesnt happen when owners ignore their needs or test them beyond their limits. Always go the extra mile in customer education and support efforts to require periodic system inspections.

Discourage a sewer-is-always-best attitude.

The concept of the municipal sewer line seems so carefree and easy to homeowners. Flush the toilet and someone somewhere down the line takes care of your waste. City, town and county officials dont readily consider efficiency in the wastewater treatment equation. In smaller communities, the cost to build the infrastructure and operate a treatment plant is shared by fewer users. And homeowners have a tendency to give more weight to the cost of hookup and forget that those high monthly and quarterly sewer bills keep coming. When you hear about a potential sewer extension project, urge property owners and lawmakers to crunch the numbers and consider individual onsite or cluster systems when it makes sense.

TAKE A STAND

Do you face an uphill battle convincing folks about the value of individual wastewater systems or cluster systems to serve neighborhoods in your area? What lessons have you learned that can help other installers get the onsite message across to a distracted or disinterested public? Drop me a line and Ill share your thoughts in a future column. O

Ace Roto-Mold Products.indd 1 1/14/13 8:46 AM


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featured

TOOLS OF THE TRADETechnology TipsOur cover stars this month are a father and son team in New Hampshire. We asked about the tools they rely on most in their septic design company. Find out what mix of high-tech and low-tech tools keep Carl and Scott Hagstrom working efficiently. onsiteinstaller.com/featured

TREATMENT CHECKRecirculation Ratios 101When discussing recirculating media filters one important aspect is the establishment and maintenance of the rate of recirculation through the filter. If the level of treatment with recirculating media filters isnt what it should be, it may be time to change the rate of recirculation. Our expert, Jim Anderson, fills you in on everything you need to know when its necessary to adjust the ratio. onsiteinstaller.com/featured

STAR OF THE SHOWBehind the ScenesWe get some great photos from the professional photographers who are hired to shoot our profile stars. So many of them dont get published because we just dont have enough room in the magazine to show them all off. Heres a look at some of the best behind-the-scenes photos of installers and their trusty excavators in action. onsiteinstaller.com/featured


rojects dealing with challenging sites and sensitive environmental areas seem to seek out Carl and Scott Hagstrom, the father-son owners of Monadnock Septic Design of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire.

Working in a state with many regulations necessitated by variations in terrain (the state elevation ranges from sea level to more than 6,800 feet), geology and ecosystems, this team thrives on diversity. Scott and Carl are most comfortable helping landowners overcome obstacles to development in ways that are respectful of the sites unique attributes.

Helping our clients understand and address their onsite system needs is our highest priority, Carl sums up one of their greatest personal missions in the world of decentralized wastewater.

Properly managing wastewater, regardless of the challenges, is the niche for their service-oriented business. Both owners are credentialed by the State of New Hampshire as system designers and installers. Carl, a New Hampshire-recognized wetlands scientist, is able to delineate and then mitigate impacts on these fragile environments.

Active in the Granite State Designers and Installers Association (GSDIA), Carl and Scott are on the board that oversees the Certified Evaluator program. New Hampshire also recognizes the GSDIAs Certified Evaluator credential. This brings full circle the in-house onsite system expertise.

SEIZING AN OPPORTUNITY

In the mid-1960s, when the first onsite regulations were established in New Hampshire, Carl was working with a surveyor. Recognizing opportunities created by the new regulations, Carl decided to refocus

The father-son team at Monadnock Septic Design promotes working with other onsite professionals and trade association involvement to improve service to customers

By Gil Longwell | Photography by Elizabeth Frantz

installerprofile

PMonadnock Septic Design,Fitzwilliam, New HampshireOWNERS: Carl and Scott Hagstrom

YEARS IN BUSINESS: 45

TERRITORY: 60-mile radius, southwest New Hampshire

SERVICES: Design new and replacement onsite systems and repairs, system evaluations, site assessments, subdivision planning, shoreland permits, wetland delineation

AFFILIATIONS: Granite State Designers and Installers, New Hampshire Association of Natural Resource Scientists

WEBSITE: www.monadnocksepticdesign.com

H

WERE BETTERTOGETHER

Carl and Scott Hagstrom review an onsite system checklist and draw-ings during a routine inspection for Monadnock Septic Design.

exclusively on the onsite industry. It is a decision that Carl, now 70, has never regretted.

Scott, now 33, grew up in the business. Helping Dad was the natural thing to do for a teenager who was fascinated by the idea of protecting the environment while enabling development. My dad is a great role model for the industry and for me, he says.

Being both New Hampshire-permitted designers and installers benefits the Hagstroms and their clients. When locating and laying out systems, their installers perspective allows designs that recognize site-imposed construction challenges. Designing problem avoidance into the system from the outset is far better than devising a workaround after the job has begun, says Scott.

Both agree that regulation has improved the capabilities of everyone in the onsite industry. In a similar manner, skill levels become more obvious as the rules become more demanding. Consumers take note, and the more proficient onsite professionals become busier and busier.

To get the jobs done, the designers utilize a Spectra Precision/Trimble TS 305 optical total station and 15-foot SECO Twist-Lock style prism pole and CST Optimal offset prism (Robert Bosch Tool Corporation) to capture

Scott and Carl Hagstrom use a Sludge Judge (Nasco) during a septic system inspection.

A good snow cover actually reduces the depth to which the soil is frozen. In turn, this makes evaluations somewhat easier. Snows insulating effect is also good for a working system.Scott Hagstrom

Many years ago, Scott Hagstrom, co-owner of Monadnock Septic Design, earned a private pilot license. Next, he advanced to an instrument rating. Feeling limited with a private license, he worked for and achieved a commercial license. Still striving for the next level, he became qualified for multi-engine planes. Wanting to share his skills with others, he became a certified flight instructor. Today, he keeps each license and certificate current and flies frequently.

Scott says he sees a similarity between teaching pilots and system evaluators and designers.

In both cases training starts at the most basic level. As skills are added, the

expertise both broadens to include more advanced concepts while reinforcing the basics, he says.

The similarities dont stop there. Depending on the individual license or certification requirements, there are specific updates or continuing education requirements for both flying and onsite professions. These are intended to keep skills sharp and incorporate new knowledge into routine tasks.

Commercial pilots have opportunities to focus their expertise too. For example, a pilot can choose to be a leader by pursuing the captain designation. He may also choose a supporting role with a career as first officer or co-pilot. Another focused subspecialty is crew resource management, where the focus is on cabin crew operations.

You would be surprised how these roles are parallel to roles in an onsite business. Certain leadership skills cross vocational boundaries, and staying current in your field is crucial whether youre high in the sky or your feet are a few inches under water in a wetland, he says.

Scott has found a way to blend both vocations. He frequently takes to the air to do large-area preliminary screening evaluations of isolated sites. When site access makes it difficult to reach by land or the site is remote, an aircraft is another great tool to have access to, he explains.

Piloting a business

ABOVE: This aerial photo taken by pilot Scott Hagstrom shows the variety of terrain he encounters as an onsite system designer in New Hampshire.BELOW: Scott Hagstrom is a certified flight instructor and licensed to pilot a variety of aircraft. (Photos courtesy of Monadnock Septic Design)


We feel like we are the go-to guys for competitors when they have ques-tions on the regulations or encounter problems. Together we brainstorm the issue, says Carl. These calls reinforce their outlook on the value of education which, in turn, reinforces the GSDIA relationship across the industry.

GSDIA gives members a formal network connection the association facilitates communication and teamwork, says Carl. Both men are GSDIA trainers, and many members of their informal network encounter them in the more structured classroom environment.

Father and son have teaching backgrounds. Carl taught agriculture students hydraulics, pneumatics and equipment maintenance, while Scott continues his work as a flight instructor. They are very comfortable in a soil pit, a wetland bog, going one-on-one helping a landowner, and in front of a classroom.

Clients, too, require education. Carl says, We find the owner is not necessarily the best informed about his own system. Of those who do have some understanding of their system, many are hesitant to share what they know with us, even though they know we are there to help them.

INESCAPABLE WETLANDS

About 25 percent of their work involves wetlands in one way or another. It is easy to understand why we do so much wetlands work, says Carl, because the sites with better soils are already developed. The first step for successful wetlands-affected sites is to delineate the wetlands. Their attitude is that its far easier to avoid them than impact them. If that is not possible, the impacts must be understood and mitigated.

The No. 1 issue is site access. You cannot fill or drain a wetland to satisfy a mandatory setback or

isolation distance, Carl explains. Isolations and impact minimization through mitigation are all addressed in the wetlands permit application process the Hagstroms guide landowners through.

The states Rivers Management & Protection Act and the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act create a 250-foot-wide zone inland from waters edge, Carl explains. He draws on his surveying and wetland scientist skills to provide site disturbance plans that include mitigation and restoration in conjunction with the permits required for the work.

BUSY ALL YEAR

Real estate sales and existing system evaluations go on year-round. Yes, we do evaluations through the winter if we can get to the site. Installations are done then as well. Snow does not shut us down, Carl says. What does

The Monadnock Septic Design team includes, from left, Gail, Carl, Rayann, and Scott Hagstrom.

the coordinates of data points, and a Carlson surveying autocad program to chart new systems. They rent earth-moving equipment to suit the needs of each project. They use a KB-14/360 QG compass, KB quadrant or SECO hand level to check local slope conditions, and a Trumeter Measure Meter. They use T&T Tools probes and hooks, and a Stony soil auger (AMS, Inc.).

Among products found in the systems they build are Polylok risers, SJE-Rhombus control panels, Goulds and Myers pumps, Infiltrator Water Technologies chambers, Eljen GSF geotextile sand filters, Clean Solution aerated pretreatment systems (Advanced Onsite Solutions), the White Knight microbial inoculator generator (Knight Treatment Systems), SeptiTech commercial processor units and American Manufacturing drip dispersal systems.

REAL ESTATE INSPECTIONS

One area of the business involves time-of-sale inspections for real estate transactions. Both Carl and Scott perform a lot of this work, and often their conclusion calls for a component repair. Sometimes the need is for a complete new system. Inspections are not mandated by any government or lenders for the buyers.

Scott points to a potential conflict of interest in the repair part of this work, explaining, We will not repair the problems our evaluations discover. Carl reinforces his point adding, This is a conflict of interest a line we will not cross. To be sure, if a system design is necessary or a permit is needed for an entirely new system, they will step up and handle that work, but they will decline even the most routine repairs. We do not offer evaluation services to generate repair business, Carl says.

Some would see their decision to avoid installation and repair work as leaving easy money on the table, but the Hagstroms believe its good business and ethical behavior. They see it as inappropriate to identify a needed repair and then sell that repair service to their client.

WORKING WITH COMPETITORSBoth men see collaboration with others in the onsite industry as an

opportunity for growing everyones professionalism. We are friends with our competitors. These relationships are a network within which we can compare notes and collaborate on tough issues, Scott explains.

ABOVE: Carl and Scott Hagstrom wear safety vests when they visit an onsite system installation in Rindge, New Hampshire, and review the project with contractor John Anderson.

BELOW: Scott Hagstrom uses a Spectra Precision TS 305 optical total station, a 15-foot SECO Twist-Lock style prism pole and CST Optimal offset prism to capture the coordinates of data points during an installation.


shut down operations everybodys operations are town-imposed bans on truck traffic from March 15 through May 15. The trucks would destroy rural light-duty roads, which are prone to rutting from heavily loaded vehicles.

GSDIA protocol requires hand excavation, both near and into the absorption area, to enable an evaluation of the soil. The tank, too, must be exposed and then inspected.

Installations are also a year-round enterprise, Carl explains. Most systems are installed in one or two days, and frozen site conditions minimize peripheral damage from excavating equipment. A good snow cover actually reduces the depth to which the soil is frozen. In turn, this makes evaluations somewhat easier. Snows insulating effect is also good for a working system, Scott adds. Snow cover also facilitates installations for the same reasons.

THE GREATER GOOD

Carl and Scott have enjoyed and learned from their connections with the GSDIA. Carl is a 26-year member and Scott is a 10-year member. They each have made commitments beyond membership. Between them they

have more than 22 years in various GSDIA leadership roles.

The associa-tion has played an important role in their profes-sional growth and they want to help it grow. Id like to see the

association reach beyond the industry to the broader community, especially touching Realtors and landowners, Carl says. He believes educating these groups is as important as industry member education.

Scott sees a role for members to identify important issues so the GSDIA can work to close gaps and bridge misunderstandings over regulations, both with regulators and the regulated community. With members and state regulators often gathered at the same table, this seems like an attainable goal.

Actively using the skills they learned through the existing system evaluator training program, they are committed to making the process better for all. Father and son are on the steering committee that guides the GSDIAs Certified Septic Evaluator Program.

Bringing precision and professionalism to bear on every project, this father-and-son team leaves as many stones unturned as possible in the wetlands and highlands all to protect the environment. O

MORE INFO:Advanced Onsite Solutions, LLC603/783-8042www.aosne.com

American Manufacturing Co., Inc. 800/345-3132 www.americanonsite.com AMS, Inc.800/635-7330www.ams-samplers.com Carlson800/989-5028www.carlsonsw.com Eljen Corporation800/444-1359www.eljen.com(See ad page 29)

Goulds Water Technology - a xylem brand866/325-4210www.goulds.com Infiltrator Water Technologies, LLC800/221-4436www.infiltratorwater.com(See ad page 3)

Knight Treatment Systems800/560-2454www.knighttreatmentsystems.com

Myers888/416-9513www.femyers.com

Nasco800/558-9595www.enasco.com Polylok, Inc. / Zabel877/765-9565www.polylok.com(See ad page 44)

Robert Bosch Tool Corporation800/301-8255www.boschtools.com SeptiTech, a subsidiary of Bio-Microbics, Inc.800/318-7967www.septitech.com

SJE-Rhombus888/342-5753www.sjerhombus.com(See ad page 17) Spectra Precision/Trimble 800/527-3771www.spectralasers.com T&T Tools, Inc.800/521-6893www.mightyprobe.com(See ad page 29) Trumeter954/725-6699www.trumeter.com

Carl, left, Scott, and Gail Hagstrom work from the Monadnock Septic Design office in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire.

We feel like we are the go-to guys for competitors when they have questions on the regulations or encounter problems. Together we brainstorm the issue.Carl Hagstrom


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shut down operations everybodys operations are town-imposed bans on truck traffic from March 15 through May 15. The trucks would destroy rural light-duty roads, which are prone to rutting from heavily loaded vehicles.

GSDIA protocol requires hand excavation, both near and into the absorption area, to enable an evaluation of the soil. The tank, too, must be exposed and then inspected.

Installations are also a year-round enterprise, Carl explains. Most systems are installed in one or two days, and frozen site conditions minimize peripheral damage from excavating equipment. A good snow cover actually reduces the depth to which the soil is frozen. In turn, this makes evaluations somewhat easier. Snows insulating effect is also good for a working system, Scott adds. Snow cover also facilitates installations for the same reasons.

THE GREATER GOOD

Carl and Scott have enjoyed and learned from their connections with the GSDIA. Carl is a 26-year member and Scott is a 10-year member. They each have made commitments beyond membership. Between them they

have more than 22 years in various GSDIA leadership roles.

The associa-tion has played an important role in their profes-sional growth and they want to help it grow. Id like to see the

association reach beyond the industry to the broader community, especially touching Realtors and landowners, Carl says. He believes educating these groups is as important as industry member education.

Scott sees a role for members to identify important issues so the GSDIA can work to close gaps and bridge misunderstandings over regulations, both with regulators and the regulated community. With members and state regulators often gathered at the same table, this seems like an attainable goal.

Actively using the skills they learned through the existing system evaluator training program, they are committed to making the process better for all. Father and son are on the steering committee that guides the GSDIAs Certified Septic Evaluator Program.

Bringing precision and professionalism to bear on every project, this father-and-son team leaves as many stones unturned as possible in the wetlands and highlands all to protect the environment. O

MORE INFO:Advanced Onsite Solutions, LLC603/783-8042www.aosne.com

American Manufacturing Co., Inc. 800/345-3132 www.americanonsite.com AMS, Inc.800/635-7330www.ams-samplers.com Carlson800/989-5028www.carlsonsw.com Eljen Corporation800/444-1359www.eljen.com(See ad page 29)

Goulds Water Technology - a xylem brand866/325-4210www.goulds.com Infiltrator Water Technologies, LLC800/221-4436www.infiltratorwater.com(See ad page 3)

Knight Treatment Systems800/560-2454www.knighttreatmentsystems.com

Myers888/416-9513www.femyers.com

Nasco800/558-9595www.enasco.com Polylok, Inc. / Zabel877/765-9565www.polylok.com(See ad page 44)

Robert Bosch Tool Corporation800/301-8255www.boschtools.com SeptiTech, a subsidiary of Bio-Microbics, Inc.800/318-7967www.septitech.com

SJE-Rhombus888/342-5753www.sjerhombus.com(See ad page 17) Spectra Precision/Trimble 800/527-3771www.spectralasers.com T&T Tools, Inc.800/521-6893www.mightyprobe.com(See ad page 29) Trumeter954/725-6699www.trumeter.com

Carl, left, Scott, and Gail Hagstrom work from the Monadnock Septic Design office in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire.

We feel like we are the go-to guys for competitors when they have questions on the regulations or encounter problems. Together we brainstorm the issue.Carl Hagstrom


basictraining Jim Anderson, Ph.D., and David Gustafson, P.E., are connected with the University of Minnesota onsite wastewater treatment education program. David is extension onsite sewage treatment educator. Jim is former director of the universitys Water Resources Center and is now an emeritus professor, as well as education program coordinator for the National Association of Wastewater Technicians. Readers are welcome to submit questions or article suggestions to Jim and David. Write to [email protected].

n cold weather areas like the Upper Midwest where we live, there are often situations where the piping and tanks need to be protected from freezing. For supply pipes from the house to the septic tank and the

tank to the drainfield, the best protection from freezing is to install the pipes properly, on the correct slope and with proper bedding to eliminate differential settling. The key to remember: The only thing in the pipe between use discharges is air. If there is standing water because of a slight bow in the piping, this is an area that will be subject to freezing and plugging.

In municipal sewer systems, freezing is prevented by placing pipes below the normal frost depth, which can be as much as 6 to 8 feet deep. This does not work for our onsite systems that we want to keep as shallow as possible to provide the best treatment. If the piping is going to run under a driveway or walkway of any kind, it should be insulated. Any traffic over the area will drive the frost deeper, increasing the potential for freezing.

We have two methods for insulating pipe in this climate. The first is to purchase insulated pipe, usually a pipe within a pipe with foam insulation filling the void. The second is to install foam sheets rated for underground

I

Tips to Avoid the Deep FreezeWhen youre working in a cold climate, be sure to adequately insulate pipes, tanks and system access points to prevent costly and inconvenient emergency onsite service callsBy Jim Anderson and David Gustafson

LEFT: Take time to create a proper bed for pipes running throughout an onsite system to avoid callbacks and expensive, time-consuming repairs at a later date. ABOVE: In colder climates, be sure to provide adequate cover to properly insulate onsite system pipes against freezing. (Photos courtesy of Jim Anderson)

use over the top of the pipe as it is laid in the excavated trench. In addition to providing insulation, the first method will increase pipe rigidity, helping to prevent settling and low spots in the pipe where freezing could occur.

DEEP SOIL COVER

One of the most effective tactics to insulate any sewage tank is having at least 2 feet of soil cover over the tank with an established grass vegetation. However, with our emphasis on keeping systems shallow and providing ready access for operation and maintenance, we see an increasing need to insulate

tanks to maintain temperatures that will allow active digestion of the wastewater to occur. This is true for septic tanks but is even more important for ATUs and media filters contained in tanks.

To address this issue in tanks sitting less than 2 feet below final grade, Minnesota requires the lid, maintenance hole covers and risers have an insulation value of R10. All insulating materials must be water-resistant and suitable for burial. Tank walls, lids and risers may be insulated.

To insulate the sides and the top of the tank, insulation board can be placed in those areas prior to backfilling. Flexible insulation board can be wrapped around the riser; if the riser is placed after the fact over a smaller tank opening, a piece of flexible insulation can be placed inside the riser above the smaller tank opening.

ADDED PROTECTIONAs mentioned, the best insulation would be 2 feet of soil cover over the

top of the tank. Many of our installers are still worried, though, because a typical bury depth to avoid frost would be 4 feet. This would force the system deeper and be counter to our objectives to keep the system as shallow as possible. So, they will generally insulate the tank lid with foam insulation to make sure the tank is protected. Most of the heat loss would be out of the top of the tank, so this gives an added measure of protection.

Some spray-on insulation products add to the R-value, but also provide additional sealant for seams that are coated. This is not a fix for bad installation practices or damage to tank access, however. The installer must use good materials and seal the seams and openings properly for an effective job. This means there must be no loose-fitting

manholes, broken inspection pipes or unsealed conduit entering the tank that would allow cold air to enter.

Usage can also be a factor in determining whether a tank needs to be insulated. If it is at a seasonal residence where the system is not used during the winter, insulation can actually delay tank warm-up in the spring. Our thoughts are that these places often work toward year-round usage, so be cautious making that assumption. In general, if the top is 2 feet or more below grade, insulation over the tank is not necessary. But remember, the risers and riser lids do need insulation. If the depth is less than 2 feet, the tank should be insulated. O

We see an increasing need to insulate tanks to maintain temperatures that will allow active digestion of the wastewater to occur. This is true for septic tanks but is even more important for ATUs and media filters contained in tanks.


basictraining Jim Anderson, Ph.D., and David Gustafson, P.E., are connected with the University of Minnesota onsite wastewater treatment education program. David is extension onsite sewage treatment educator. Jim is former director of the universitys Water Resources Center and is now an emeritus professor, as well as education program coordinator for the National Association of Wastewater Technicians. Readers are welcome to submit questions or article suggestions to Jim and David. Write to [email protected].

n cold weather areas like the Upper Midwest where we live, there are often situations where the piping and tanks need to be protected from freezing. For supply pipes from the house to the septic tank and the

tank to the drainfield, the best protection from freezing is to install the pipes properly, on the correct slope and with proper bedding to eliminate differential settling. The key to remember: The only thing in the pipe between use discharges is air. If there is standing water because of a slight bow in the piping, this is an area that will be subject to freezing and plugging.

In municipal sewer systems, freezing is prevented by placing pipes below the normal frost depth, which can be as much as 6 to 8 feet deep. This does not work for our onsite systems that we want to keep as shallow as possible to provide the best treatment. If the piping is going to run under a driveway or walkway of any kind, it should be insulated. Any traffic over the area will drive the frost deeper, increasing the potential for freezing.

We have two methods for insulating pipe in this climate. The first is to purchase insulated pipe, usually a pipe within a pipe with foam insulation filling the void. The second is to install foam sheets rated for underground

I

Tips to Avoid the Deep FreezeWhen youre working in a cold climate, be sure to adequately insulate pipes, tanks and system access points to prevent costly and inconvenient emergency onsite service callsBy Jim Anderson and David Gustafson

LEFT: Take time to create a proper bed for pipes running throughout an onsite system to avoid callbacks and expensive, time-consuming repairs at a later date. ABOVE: In colder climates, be sure to provide adequate cover to properly insulate onsite system pipes against freezing. (Photos courtesy of Jim Anderson)

use over the top of the pipe as it is laid in the excavated trench. In addition to providing insulation, the first method will increase pipe rigidity, helping to prevent settling and low spots in the pipe where freezing could occur.

DEEP SOIL COVER

One of the most effective tactics to insulate any sewage tank is having at least 2 feet of soil cover over the tank with an established grass vegetation. However, with our emphasis on keeping systems shallow and providing ready access for operation and maintenance, we see an increasing need to insulate

tanks to maintain temperatures that will allow active digestion of the wastewater to occur. This is true for septic tanks but is even more important for ATUs and media filters contained in tanks.

To address this issue in tanks sitting less than 2 feet below final grade, Minnesota requires the lid, maintenance hole covers and risers have an insulation value of R10. All insulating materials must be water-resistant and suitable for burial. Tank walls, lids and risers may be insulated.

To insulate the sides and the top of the tank, insulation board can be placed in those areas prior to backfilling. Flexible insulation board can be wrapped around the riser; if the riser is placed after the fact over a smaller tank opening, a piece of flexible insulation can be placed inside the riser above the smaller tank opening.

ADDED PROTECTIONAs mentioned, the best insulation would be 2 feet of soil cover over the

top of the tank. Many of our installers are still worried, though, because a typical bury depth to avoid frost would be 4 feet. This would force the system deeper and be counter to our objectives to keep the system as shallow as possible. So, they will generally insulate the tank lid with foam insulation to make sure the tank is protected. Most of the heat loss would be out of the top of the tank, so this gives an added measure of protection.

Some spray-on insulation products add to the R-value, but also provide additional sealant for seams that are coated. This is not a fix for bad installation practices or damage to tank access, however. The installer must use good materials and seal the seams and openings properly for an effective job. This means there must be no loose-fitting

manholes, broken inspection pipes or unsealed conduit entering the tank that would allow cold air to enter.

Usage can also be a factor in determining whether a tank needs to be insulated. If it is at a seasonal residence where the system is not used during the winter, insulation can actually delay tank warm-up in the spring. Our thoughts are that these places often work toward year-round usage, so be cautious making that assumption. In general, if the top is 2 feet or more below grade, insulation over the tank is not necessary. But remember, the risers and riser lids do need insulation. If the depth is less than 2 feet, the tank should be insulated. O

We see an increasing need to insulate tanks to maintain temperatures that will allow active digestion of the wastewater to occur. This is true for septic tanks but is even more important for ATUs and media filters contained in tanks.

New & Improved PS Patrol SystemThe newly enhanced PS Patrol system features a sleek angled clear enclosure with a removable cover for easy ac-cess for eld wiring. All components are sealed within the cover for protection from the elements. Red LEDs illuminate cover for 360o visual of alarm condition.

IFS Panels with C-Level SensorC-Level sensor detects the liquid level in the tank and sends a signal to the IFS panel. Pump activation and alarm levels are adjusted on the panel touch pad, eliminating the need to go into the tank. One C-Level sensor simulates up to four ( oat) levels.

Tank Alert EZ Alarm SystemThis new alarm is all about making in-stallations easier! It features an inno-vative enclosure which integrates the red LED beacon, external mounting tabs for quick installation and a remov-able cover which allows greater access for easier eld wiring.

onsite CONTROLSNo matter the application, weve got it under control, from oat switches to event monitoring control panels, and everything in between. Now backed by our industry-leading ve-year limited warranty!

www.sjerhombus.com


ften an onsite treatment system challenge requires a custom, one-of-a-kind installation. Those situa-tions arent always cost-effective, though. To

answer that problem, Orenco Systems has developed a premanufactured, modular treatment system that not only fits into a tight footprint, but also provides treat-ment for a large variety of flows and waste strengths the AdvanTex Treatment System.

The system, highlighted in the Orenco Systems booth at the 2015 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show, uses an engineered textile media to treat wastewater and meet stringent regulatory requirements. The filter is configured similar to a recirculating sand filter a packed-bed filter technology Orenco engineers have worked with for nearly 40 years. The media is microdosed at regular intervals by low-flow pumps, with spin nozzles distributing the effluent evenly to optimize treatment. Systems are geared toward customers with homes along rivers, lakes, beaches and bays that have

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November 2015

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