Having just received my copy of Onsite Installer, I read Roger E. Machmeier’s letter to the editor (“Clusters of Concern,” October 2008). While I understand and agree with most of his concerns, I take umbrage with his comments regarding engineers.
His comments are very general and unreasonable to the profession. While it may be that a few individuals have done an inadequate job in design, it is quite unreasonable to make a blanket statement that applies across the board. Let’s face it: If it’s a large system, then it requires an engineer to design it. I would suggest that the overwhelming majority of large systems that engineers have designed do work well.
To suggest that in general we do not understand the differences between the performance requirements of small systems and large systems is complete nonsense. Those of us who specialize in wastewater system design are well aware of in-soil flow dynamics and the limitations of existing standards and practices, and we apply values based on industry data that are more appropriate for the site and flow conditions.
Along with this we conduct environmental impact assessments, not just on the area being considered but on surrounding areas as well. All of this leads to superior design and performance.
One other point: Design is driven by cost and regulation. Cost sets an upper limit on what can be done, and regulation sets a lower limit on what must be done. Engineers by and large would like to design the best system possible, whereas project owners generally like to see a restrained bottom line.
Neither position is unreasonable, so if there is a need to improve the performance of systems or differentiate between them, then the regulations will have to be changed accordingly.
Bert Telder, P.E.
MB Telder Engineering
Gibsons, British Columbia
