An automated system introduced at the 18th Annual NOWRA Technical Conference and Expo is designed to simplify the process of percolation testing and make the testing itself more consistent and reliable.
Percolation Technologies Inc. of St. Cloud, Minn., introduced the E-Z Perk system, designed to help onsite professionals save time by running single and multiple perc tests unattended. The system is the brainchild of Chad Kraemer, himself an onsite designer and installer. Colleague Brian Prigge helped Kraemer turn his idea into a marketable product.
Kraemer observes that in performing a perc test manually, the contractor digs a test hole, sets up a soak system, returns about four hours later to unhook the soak system, then returns a third time to do the actual test.
With the E-Z Perk system, the user connects a flexible hose to a fill tube in the base of the unit, positions the unit directly over the test hole in its heavy-duty carrying case, and connects a water source using a standard hose connection. The water source can be by gravity flow from a portable water tank or barrel, or from a garden hose connected to an outdoor faucet.
The user enters information using a small LCD screen and keypad. The first screen records the site location using an on-board GPS and records the date and time. The second screen allows the user to program the test parameters. The third screen displays the test results.
During the actual test, a sensor in the base of the unit intermittently reads and records the water level in the hole. Meanwhile, the unit automatically adds water to the hole as needed.
A computer program calculates the perc rate. At the end of the test, the contractor can print the results on roll paper. Remote units enable a contractor to conduct two tests (one remote unit) or thee tests (two remote units) at the same time. Call 320/258-2873 or visit www.percolationtechnologies.com.
Other innovations presented at the NOWRA conference included:
The Salcor 3G UV disinfection unit from Salcor Inc. This unit was developed for disinfecting effluent from small aerobic treatment units. It can reduce fecal coliform levels to well below the strictest U.S. treatment standards, even when the treatment unit is running in mild upset conditions. The maximum flow is 4,320 gpd assuming less than 30 mg/l BOD and TSS. It installs in less than 30 minutes and is designed to operate with minimal attention. Call 760/731-0745.
The Pugo-PS advanced treatment unit from Pugo Systems (a business of Adelante Consulting Inc. in Santa Fe, N.M.). This household-scale wastewater treatment and recycling system provides primary settling, fixed-film aerobic treatment, and tertiary filtration in a single tank. The unit has a treatment capacity of 450 gpd. Call 505/866-5076 or visit www.pugosystems.com.
Smart-Rock drainfield media from Infiltrator Systems Inc. This drainfield media is an expanded polystyrene material that surrounds a perforated pipe. It eliminates the fines associated with gravel, reduces compaction and reduces embedment. The aggregate is held in place by high-strength netting. Made from recycled material, it is sold in 10-foot lengths. Call 800/221-4436 or visit www.infiltratorsystems.com.
Septic Assistant software from Ayres Associates. Installers may encounter local or state regulatory agencies using this software, which is designed to track performance, maintenance and operation of onsite systems. It can be custom-ized to meet agencies’ specific needs for system inventory, tracking and scheduling, document storage and retrieval, inspections, reporting and more. Call 800/800-5191 or visit www.ayresassociates.com.
Mantis leachfield media from Eljen Corp. This product, so far approved only in Connecti-cut, comes already assembled for drop-in-trench installation. The system requires no special tools or fabric covering. It is rated for pressure and gravity systems. Call 800/444-1359 or visit www.eljen.com.
