Measuring flows

An article by Albert Royster in the May/June Florida Onsite Wastewater Association newsletter states that flow measurement may hint if hydraulic overloading has occurred and if this condition is an ongoing issue in system performance.

Royster, an environmental specialist with the Volusia County Health Department in Deland, says water flow meters register the mass flow used. The mass flow includes showers, baths, toilets, dishwashing, laundry, tooth brushing, and other indoor uses. Lawn watering, car washing, and other outdoor uses also are considered. “A flow meter eliminates any argument from homeowners about water usage,” writes Royster.

Royster also suggests metering sewage flow to determine the exact amount without comparing the mass flow from water used for filling the swimming pool or watering the lawn. Infiltration, inflow, exfiltration, broken sewer lines, or missing cleanout caps all affect flow entering the tank.

“Metering sewage flow offers a way to monitor those systems where hydraulic overloading is suspected,” he says. “Additional measures to conserve water could be addressed in those cases to prevent system overuse. Homeowners should be able to monitor daily sewage flow accurately.” Contact Royster at 386/822-6250.

Septage solution

According to the summer newsletter of the Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services, Bonnechere Valley — an hour west of Ottawa — is one of only a few municipalities in the province to address the escalating septage disposal issue. The township completed construction of a dewatering and processing facility in April, enabling haulers to offload year-round into a 10,000-gallon underground holding tank.

Two of the three Geotube dewatering units are inside a greenhouse for dewatering during winter. Each 10,000-gallon batch is recycled to the headworks for further treatment before effluent is released to a nearby river. Solids are composted before being applied to the land, used for soil enhancements or used with an anaerobic digester to produce methane gas. For a tour of the facility or more information, call Matthew Green at 613/628-5266.

Iowa No. 1

The summer issue of Iowa Septic News announced that the state has 27 National Environmental Health Association-certified installers. Ohio is second in the nation with 18 credentialed installers. The Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association will offer the national association’s installer exam at its annual conference and around the state as interest arises. Call Doug Bird at 319/352-0332.

Scholarship winner

Eric Ogden received a $500 scholarship from the Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association for the 2008-2009 academic year. He is the son of Diane and Jeff Ogden. Eric, a junior at Indiana Institute of Technology, is studying business and recreation management. During summer vacations, he works at his family’s business, Oasis Well & Pump in Manchester, as an assistant to the pump and onsite installer.

Sewage into biofuel

The spring/summer issue of Small Flows reports that scientists at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va., have begun a pilot project that turns algae into biodiesel. By feeding wastewater to the organisms, researchers hope to generate up to 200 gallons of biodiesel a day. If the process is successful, it could be repeated at sewage plants nationwide. Visit www.odu.edu/ao/research/vcerc/research/biodiesel.shtml.

Calendar

Sept. 10-11

Septage/Grease Trap Waste Treatment Symposium, Holiday Inn at Six Flags, Eureka, Mo. Call 800/236-6298 or visit www.nawt.org.

Oct. 12-15

Virginia Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Conference and Trade Show, Blacksburg. Call Trapper Davis at 804/966-9190 or visit www.vowra.org.

Oct. 14-15

Delaware Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Conference and Exhibition, Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center, Dover. Call Ken Walsh at 302/381-6516 or visit www.dowra.org.

Oct. 23-26

Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services Conference and Exposition, Best Western Conference Centre, Orillia. Call Don Kelloway at 877/202-0082 or visit www.oasisontario.on.ca.

Nov. 5-9

Portable Sanitation Association International Convention & Trade Show, Hilton Hotel Ocean Beach and Ocean Center Exhibit Hall, Daytona Beach, Fla. Call 800/822-3020 or visit www.psai.org.

Nov. 12-13

North East Residuals & Biosolids Conference & Exhibit, Nashua, N.H. Call Ned Beecher at 603/323-7654 or visit www.newea.org.

Dec. 4-5

Kentucky Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Sloan Convention Center, Bowling Green. Call 270/715-0043 or visit www.kentuckyonsite.org.

Dec. 8-9

NNOWRA Installer Academy, Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas, Nev. Call 800/966-2942 or visit www.nowra.org.

Jan. 8-10, 2009

Michigan Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Conference and Exhibit, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing. Call Chanin Frank at 989/773-6985, ext. 258 or visit www.mowra.org.

Jan. 13-14

Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association Conference, Polk County Convention Center, Des Moines. Call 515/225-1051 or visit www.iowwa.com.

Jan. 13-15

Michigan Onsite Wastewater Conference, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing. Many sessions count for required CEU hours. Call Mark Scott at 989/275-5011 or e-mail mscott@i2k.com.

Jan. 19-21

Missouri Smallflows Organization Conference and Exhibition, Holiday Inn Select, Columbia. Call 417/739-4100 or visit www.mosmallflows.org.

Jan. 22-24

Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association Conference, Deerfoot Inn and Casino, Calgary. Call 780/489-7471 or visit www.aowma.com.

Jan. 23-24

Washington Onsite Sewage Association Conference, Vancouver. Call John Thomas at 253/297-2837 or visit www.wossa.org.

Jan. 30-31

Wisconsin Liquid Waste Carriers Association and Wisconsin Onsite Water Recycling Association Joint Convention, Marriott West Hotel, Madison. Call 608/255-2770 or visit www.wowra.com.

Feb. 11-12

Nebraska Onsite Waste Water Association Conference. Call Lee Orton at 402/476-0162 or visit www.nowwa.org.

Feb. 14-15

Utah On-Site Wastewater Association Conference, Expo Center, West Valley City. Call Carmell Burns at 435/797-3174 or visit http://uwrl.usu.edu/partnerships/training/uowa.html.

Feb. 25-28

Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International, Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky. Call 800/257-7222 or visit www.pumpershow.com.