Question:

What is the purpose of the product called a Duck Bill (quick couplers from Atlanta Rubber and Hydraulics). The closest description I have is that they are “used for land spreading or hard-to-reach areas.” I’m asking because I always end up with about an inch of sludge in the bottom of the septic tanks when I pump them out. Would the Duck Bill be able to suck everything off the bottom?

I tried taking a 3-inch piece of ABS pipe and cutting the end on a slight angle and attaching it to the end of my hose, but there is always about an inch or two of sludge left over when I’m done pumping. I get customers now and again who say, “That’s all you can take?” or “You didn’t clean it all out.”

Is there really a way to take it all or is it just a common practice to leave a little behind?

 

Answer:

I think they are typically for land spreading. I have never heard of anyone using it to suck up the bottom of a tank, although it seems like it should work, depending on the thickness of the sludge on the bottom of the tank. We typically use a water hose to push the sludge to our suction hose or if it’s really bad, we backwash into the tank and suck it up again. We definitely don’t leave anything in the tank; customers would not be happy.

 

Question:

I recently received a letter from the local municipality saying we are dumping too much grit and debris into their system. Since we went from an old diaphragm truck to a vacuum truck, I am sure we are picking up more than we want to. We have tried to keep the pump tank clean, but in winter weather we have not been able to wash outside and we are not set up to do so inside. I would like to know what others are doing to prevent this. This is a local dumpsite and I don’t want to lose privileges.

 

Answers:

Our treatment plants allow us to clean the inside of the tanks at their facilities. You could slide a plastic tub or trough under the rear manway and scrape the grit out into that. Then, of course, you’ll have to dispose of the grit.

 

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The local administrator wanted me to put in a septic tank on our property and feed it through the city sewer and then wanted to triple my rates in one of the worst winters we have had here in a while. I asked what I was to do with the grit out of my tank once it filled and he said that wasn’t his problem. We did not come to an agreement. My argument was that if I did all the work and maintained my own dumpsite, then why was he due any money at all, let alone raising my rates? We are dumping 15 miles to the west, which works out because our business has grown in that direction more each year.

 

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I have a 2-inch water pump with pipefittings reducing down to a 3/4-inch pipe nipple for a nozzle. I can wash the grit out pretty quick from the topside manway.

 

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If grit buildup is a continual problem, one consideration could be going to a truck with a full opening rear door. That will allow you to use a jetter or pressure washer to clean excess debris from the tank.