Onsite Systems

As a third-generation pumper, Rob Ratta is as old-school as they come. But the owner of R.M. Ratta Corp. in Ayer, Mass.,...

Small towns throughout the sprawling spaces of western North Dakota treat their wastewater in lagoon systems. The nearest large-scale municipal treatment plant...

Question: How is effluent moved between trenches by gravity? Answer: This question comes from an installer who said, “I am used to using a distribution...

This feature in Pumper reports noteworthy conversations that take place in Pumper Discussion, an email-based forum for industry professionals sponsored by COLE...

Innovation requires risk, and risk can be scary. Yet seldom is it possible to take a business to new heights without adapting...

In the North Dakota oil fields, where luxuries are few, it’s more than just irritating when water lines freeze and there’s no...

Fire up the grill, cook up some burgers, and then let’s look inside a septic system. That is not an unusual sight...

QUESTION: What can affect septic tank biology? ANSWER: One question often asked by pumpers and other service providers who regularly see the inside of operating...

Taking risks comes with the territory for business owners. But Keith Robillard upped the ante considerably in 1994 when he moved to...

When Joshua Branscome isn’t saving homeowners’ septic systems, he’s helping save lives. The owner of B & M Septic Tank & Drain...

QUESTION: What can cause a media filter to go anaerobic? ANSWER: The person asking this question explained he installs and services generic sand filters, and...

The 2011 National Association of Wastewater Transporters Excellence in Service Award was presented to Jack King, inspector for the New Mexico Environmental...

At the NSF International Wastewater Joint Committee Meeting in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 27-28, the committee chair established a task group...

Kevin Loukes, owner of Charlton Septic Service in Charlton, N.Y., is a study in resourcefulness during challenging economic times. Since Kevin and his...

Looking at algae blooms washing ashore reminded residents of Huron-Kinloss, Ontario, of when Lake Huron was pristine. They didn’t like seeing the...

QUESTION: In previous articles in Pumper and Onsite Installer, soil sizing charts were mentioned that identify rapid perc rate, fine sandy soils...

To Jim McDonald’s mind, running a great vacuum truck is one of several prerequisites to showing customers you’re a quality septic service...