General Wastewater Collection Systems and Treatment Information
With the introduction of Naturclean -33 we are offering
the finest product available at any price. Used as directed,
it works every time to eliminate grease problems from
sewer lines and lift stations.
"Used as directed”, is a vital topic
for discussion. In this booklet, we will try to familiarize
you with what to look for and how to treat the problems
you will run into in the municipal area.
Bacteria
Cultures
One dictionary defines bacteria as: “typically
one cell organisms which have no chlorophyll, multiply
by cell division, and can be seen only with a microscope.
Although some bacteria cause diseases, others are necessary
for grease reduction, fermentation, hydrocarbon reduction,
etc.”
We say bacteria cultures are what our Creator gave us
to dispose of organic waste. The reason we are not knee
deep in dinosaurs is because when something dies, the
bacteria in the ground and in the corpse consumes it.
If you take an apple and throw it out on the lawn, in
a short time it will disintegrate. We are told the apple
rotted. That’s just another way to say the bacteria
are breaking it down so they can eat it.
The word biodegradable means bacteria can and
will eat something. Anything that is biodegradable is
known as organic. If bacteria cannot eat it, generally,
it is inorganic.
Problems arise when there are just too many organics
for the bacteria on site to handle. These on site bacteria
are known as indigenous organisms. They can be overwhelmed
by heavy loadings of organics. That’s when Naturclean
-33 is the answer. Working with the indigenous organisms,
they provide the right team in large enough numbers to
get the job done.
Sewer
System
Sewer systems carry wastewater from the source of generation
to final disposal. The system includes the collection and treatment facilities.
Sewer Collection System
A sewer collection system includes everything except
the sewer plant. All lines, lift stations, pump stations,
manholes, and anything that sewage touches on its way
to the sewer plant. Generally, the municipality is responsible
for maintaining the collection system from the time the
sewage leaves the lateral line and enters the main.
There are three types of sewer collection Systems:
1. Sanitary -- This system carries all wastewater generated
by people: residential, commercial and industrial. It
flows to the sewage treatment plant where the water is
treated prior to discharge. Some industrial sites have
their own full treatment plants, they do not use the municipal
treatment collection system.
2. Storm -- This system carries only rain and snow water.
It includes the catch basins on the side of the road.
It collects the water and carries it to the discharge
point, usually a stream. Presently, this water does not
require treatment before discharge. This line is referred
to as a storm line.
3. Combination -~ This is a combination sanitary and
storm system. These systems can still be found in some
old cities, but they are being phased out. This water
flows to a treatment plant prior to discharge.
Sewer Mains
A sewer main is any line carrying sanitary sewage from
lateral lines toward the treatment plant. There are two
types of sewer mains: force and gravity.
A force main is one that is pumped under pressure.
It is a line that carries sewage uphill. They generally
start from a lift station that pumps the sewage to a higher
level. Typically, force mains are relatively short. However,
in hilly terrain, or large systems, they can be five or
more miles long. You will rarely find grease problems
in force mains because the force of the water running
through usually clears away grease. The problem you will
encounter the most in force mains is odor. We will discuss
odor problems later.
A gravity main is just what its name implies.
It is a main that runs downhill. Gravity mains are the
most common. They make up the greatest percentage of any
collection system. You will find most of your grease problems
in gravity mains.
Lateral Lines
A lateral line is a small line that carries sewage to
a larger pipe. For instance, the line in a kitchen sink
is perhaps two inches in diameter. It runs to a four-inch
line that runs to the street. That four inch line is both
the “house main” while in the building, and
the “house lateral” after it leaves the building
since it runs out to the street and connects with a larger
line owned by the municipality. These municipal sewers
are usually referred to as “the city.” You
will never hear a city sewer line being called a lateral.
They are always mains. Generally, you will find that municipalities
do not accept responsibility for cleaning lateral lines
running from the city main back to a building.
Interceptors
An interceptor is a location in the collection system
where two or more lines meet and enter a larger pipe.
Interceptors come in various sizes. They can be a manhole
or a large chamber.
Ejector Pits
An ejector pit is a pit inside a building that serves
the same purpose as a lift station. They lift water to
a higher grade. Water from the building flows into the
pit where it is pumped out to the city main.
Return to Page Index
Cleaning the Collection System With Mechanical Devices
Sewer Jets
A sewer jet is a high-pressure water system used to clean
sewer lines. It may be truck or trailer mounted. It consists
of a high-pressure hose of up to 500 feet mounted on a
hydraulic reel and a pump. The hose is either ¾
or one inch in diameter. The trucks usually carry a 1,000
gallon tank that is filled at a fire hydrant to supply
water to the pump. The trailer-mounted units may have
a smaller tank, or they may hook directly to a fire hydrant.
Depending on size, the pumps will generate between 1,200
and 2,000 PSI at 35 to 65 gallons per minute. Some sewer
jets are larger but they all work the same way.
The hose is inserted into the sewer line through a manhole
at the downstream end of the blockage or section to be
cleaned. The hose has a steel head on the end shaped like
a bullet. The head has small holes on the end near the
hose. These holes, usually about eight in number, (known
as orifices) are at various angles, ranging from 15 to
35 degrees. The water is pumped through the hose causing
into be driven upstream, usually to the next manhole.
When it arrives at the upstream manhole, the hydraulic
reel pulls it back to the machine. All the while, the
pressure is maintained. This allows the water to scrub
the walls of the pipe, removing the grease. Sewer jets
can be used for a variety of jobs. They are valuable pieces
of equipment.
Municipal Vacuum Trucks
Unlike the trucks used to pump septic tanks, which pull
a vacuum, a municipal vacuum truck is an air conveyer.
It pulls a column of air through their system. Whatever
is caught in the air stream is lifted to the truck. The
advantage of this truck is that it can vacuum both wet
and dry material such as those found in catch basins.
It is a more versatile piece of equipment than a standard
septic truck.
Some municipalities will run a truck that is a combination
sewer jet and vacuum truck. Vacuum trucks are expensive.
You will find that many municipalities do not own them.
Rodders
A rodder is a piece of equipment used to clean grease
from sewer lines when a sewer jet is not available. It
consists of a reel of wire up to 500 feet in length. This
wire, known as a rod, is at least 5/16 inch in diameter.
There is also an auxiliary motor. The rodder can be either
truck or trailer mounted. The end of the wire is fitted
with cutters of different sizes and types, depending on
the job. To operate a rodder, the cutter is inserted in
the line in the same manner as the sewer jet hose. The
auxiliary motor is turned on. This causes the reel of
wire to rotate and unwind the rod, allowing the operator
to send the rod up the line
Rodders are ineffective against grease. They cannot remove
it; they can only punch holes in it. They can open a plugged
line, but they cannot clean a pipe. Rodders are more effective
removing hard objects such as roots.
Rodders are unforgiving pieces of equipment. Because
of the torque being generated by the reel, if the rods
hit a hard object, it can snap very easily. When that
happens, the operator is forced to retrieve the broken
rod from the line. This is not an easy task and sometimes
takes quite a bit of time.
Some municipalities do not own any sewer cleaning equipment.
When they need this equipment, they hire a private contractor
or rent from a neighboring town
When you get an emergency blockage, the crew may have
to use hand rods. These are 5/16 or 3/8 inch rods. The
hand rods are made of wood, metal and fiberglass. They
come in three, four, five, and sixteen foot lengths with
connectors on each end. They are pushed down the blocked
line by hand, one length at a time. To say this is brutal
work, is putting it mildly. Not only is it very difficult
to shove a couple of hundred feet of rod up a sewer line,
but it must be done in the confines of a manhole, usually
while you are on your knees. It generally requires at
least two people. Since all this is done from the downstream
side, when they finally break up the blockage, guess who
gets hit with the flood of sewer water that is released!
After the flood, they have to take the rod out of the
line the same way they put it in, one length at a time.
Only now, the sewer is running.
Keep in mind that most sewer line blockages occur at
off-hours, generally around dinner time or later. With
the exception of possible overtime pay, the guys down
that manhole pushing the rod are not happy campers. That
unhappiness is even greater in the wintertime.
Return to Page Index
Access Points
Manholes
Manholes are holes in the street. They are usually a
round pit three or four feet in diameter and as deep as
the sewer line. The sewer line ends at the wall of the
manhole. The water continues through the manhole in a
trough where it enters a line on the other side. Manholes
allow access to sewer lines. Manholes are generally spaced
between 250 and 600 feet apart. The average is about 500
feet, but there is no hard and fast rule.
There are also square manholes, but they are usually
interceptors, and not very common.
Manhole covers are usually round but occasionally square.
Square lids should always be lifted with great care and
replaced even more carefully. If not handled properly,
these lids can easily get turned a little and fall into
the pit.
Round lids are easier to handle because they rarely fall
into the hole, and they are generally lighter than square
lids. The only time they will go into the hole is if one
of the notches found on each side of the lid is damaged.
That is why when replacing a lid, always have the notches
in your line of sight. Retrieving one of these lids from
the hole is no easy task
There are two main reasons for manholes. One is to provide
access to clean the sewer line,
The other is to provide a place to handle overflow when
the pipe is surcharged or blocked. The manhole will fill
with water and keep it in the system until normal flows
can be restored. The best way to find a street blockage
is to follow the trail of full manholes downstream until
you find a dry one. That tells you the blockage is between
the last full manhole and the dry one.
Clean Outs
Where a manhole is not required, such as in a shopping
mall parking lot or corridor, you will find a four inch
round plate standing over the sewer line. Under this plate
you will find a second cap. When you lift this cap, you
will find a vertical pipe that leads to the sewer line.
This vertical pipe has a bend in it at the bottom called
a sweep. The sweep is pointed downstream. This ensures
that anything such as a snake inserted in the pipe will
go down. The clean out is just what its name implies,
a place to get access to the pipe so you can clean it.
The
Problem
Grease buildup in sewer lines is an enormous problem
for municipalities. It is safe to say that at least 80%
of their trouble and routine maintenance sewer line cleaning
is the result of grease. Another 10-12 percent of their
efforts will be used combating tree roots. The rest will
be "hard object" problems. Hard objects can
be rocks, shopping carts, buckets, or just about anything
that will fit into a sewer line or manhole.
Return to Page Index
Methods For Cleaning Grease
From Sewer Lines and Lift Stations
There are four generally accepted ways to clean
sewer systems:
1. Mechanical devices -- These devices, such as sewer
jets and rodders, are expensive and the results are short-lived
(described above).
2. Solvents -- Solvents only reduce the size of the grease.
Solvents do not destroy grease; they simply move it along
the system. At some point, it will have to be dealt with.
Solvents can be very hazardous to both people and the
environment. Always read the labels carefully.
3. Enzymes-- an environmentally safe chemical. Like solvents,
they also break big grease into little grease and pass
it along the system. Enzymes have a narrow range of effectiveness.
They are quickly diluted and have no long lasting benefits.
These three methods only treat the symptoms. In addition,
since solvents and enzymes are merely chemicals, you must
use the same dose rate during the life of the program.
The Solvents or Enzymes are quickly washed away leaving
the effective time very short
If you want long lasting results, you must
treat the problem.
4. Bacteria cultures—Bacteria cultures are the
only method that cures the problem. They are living organisms
that continually adapt and grow in the system. They consume
the grease; they do not move it from one place to another.
When placed in the sewer, bacteria build a biological
slime on the pipe wall. The slime is the same thing you
get on the media of a trickling filter in a sewer treatment
plant. You can also compare it to the slime you find on
a stone picked up in a creek. The bacteria will make the
pipe wall too slippery for grease to get a hold. They
eat the grease they come in contact with. In addition,
they will split in two about every 20 minutes. That is
why your customer can reduce his dose levels after the
inoculation phase. He is literally growing bugs in his
sewer. The maintenance dose is used to keep his colony
healthy.
Many strains of bacteria will not eat sewer grease under
any circumstances. They simply die off. The only effective
formula is one that will eat sewer grease after all other
food is gone. This requires a carefully selected formula.
Naturclean -33 includes bacteria strains that will eat
sewer grease. When the cultures are first developed in
the laboratory and later grown during production, they
are fed grease. Due to this process, the bacteria will
look for grease when they wake up in the collection system.
Carefully selected means exactly that. Not every bacterium
will consume sewer grease. As a matter of fact, there
is no such thing as bacteria that prefer to eat sewer
grease. Most bacteria would rather eat carbohydrates (sugars,
starches, and cellulose) first. Next they will choose
protein. After all that is gone, they will work on the
fats and greases starting with the ones that are easiest
to break down. Rest assured, sewer grease is on the bottom
of the list.
For instance, almost any enzyme or simple bacteria product
will work in a restaurant line because the waste stream
usually consists of a predictable, high quality grease.
Meanwhile, a municipal sewer carries everything known
to man. At any given moment, you will find many varieties
of chemicals, soap, petroleum products, cellulose, and
numerous other compounds.
In addition, the pH of the water can swing back and forth
without notice. On top of this, the stream can change
characteristics without warning when someone dumps something
down the line. This is especially prevalent around food
processing or plating plants.
If you want to clean a municipal sewer, you better use
the big guns. Half measures and bad products simply will
not get it done.
To the best of our knowledge, Naturclean -33 contains
more strains of specific bacteria (58) than any other
formula available. It is necessary to have this formula
because of the complexity of municipal sewer systems.
Also note that our plate count is extremely high—the
highest count we’ve ever seen.
This brings us to a competitive situation you must be
aware of. There are many bad guys in our business. They
are the people who promise anything to get an order. They
tout their product as the best. One of the things they
use to confuse the customer is plate count. They will
claim to have enormous numbers of bacteria in their product
and sometimes they do. However, not all plate count claims
are valid. Unless the count can be verified in a certified
testing laboratory, using accepted procedures, the claim
should be discounted.
While plate counts are important, they are not what determines
the best product. Always remember that we are not playing
a quantity game; we are playing a QUALITY game. If you
could clean sewers solely with a vast number of bacteria,
no sewer would need you. If you take a plate count of
almost any sewer line, you will find it loaded with bacteria.
The plate count may even be higher than our formula. Your
customer has plenty of bacteria in his sewer lines. He
does not need more bugs, he needs a whole new cast of
characters; one that will handle the grease.
In order to clean a sewer you must put the right cast
of characters on the scene at the right time. If a football
coach wants to win a game, it’s better if he picks
the team instead of taking the first eleven people who
show up on game day.
Just as the coach needs people with different skills
to man his team, we need many strains of bacteria to win
the war with grease. On a football field, it’s called
teamwork. In a collection system, it’s called synergism.
Synergism is simply a group of bacteria working together
to get the job done. For instance, a molecule of grease
may consist of several compounds. One strain of bacteria
cannot break it down. However, when the right team of
bacteria goes to work, each consuming a different substrate
(food), the compound is quickly consumed. If your customer
understands this concept, you should get the order. If
he does not, you do not deserve the order. QUALITY separates
you from everyone else. Used as directed, Naturclean -33
will work every time.
Not only do you have the best product, but also the water-soluble
bag eliminates handling and presoaking. Most other products
require the customer to mix them in water before adding
them to the sewer. Some even have to be presoaked for
up to four hours. Naturclean -33 is simply dropped in
the system where the bag will disintegrate.
Return to Page Index
Cleaning
Sewer Lines Using Naturclean-33
Cleaning sewer lines with Naturclean -33 is done from
the downstream end. This allows the grease being knocked
off the walls to flow down the line. If cleaning is started
at the top of the line, there is a good chance a blockage
could result if the grease cannot get out.
It is important to realize that although it does not
happen very often, you may experience a backup in the
first two or three weeks after you begin the program.
The reason for this is that as the bacteria attaches to
the pipe (creating a bio-film) and the bacteria. It begins
eating the outside of the grease and behind it (between
the pipe and grease). This loosens the grease on the pipe
and it falls away off the walls of the pipe; it will want
to flow down the line. If it cannot do this, it may cause
a blockage.
As long as you're aware of this, it will be to your advantage
if the backup occurs. First, it will not come as a surprise
to you.. Second, it will prove that Naturclean - 33 is
working. Some of our best customers over the years have
been people who have experienced backups early in the
program.
It is also important you to know that if you do get a
backup it will be the last one you will ever have in that
section of line as long as you stay on the program. These
backups will not occur very often. Your chances of getting
a blockage are less than 20 percent.
Odors
Will the bacteria can handle odors in sewer lines, lift
stations, or ejector pits. The answer is always "MAYBE."
Very often the bacteria will improve or even eliminate
an odor problem. There are bacteria in Naturclean -33
strictly for odor control. At times they work very well.
There are other times when the bacteria will have no effect
at all. Sewer system odors occur for many reasons such
as flow, design, infiltrate and loading problems, just
to name a few.
Other
Concerns
Other times the bacteria may need help is when the pH
is below 5.5 or above 9.5 and there is a BOD or COD problem.
In addition, most regular bacteria will not work below 55 or above
120 degrees Fahrenheit. NatureClean has specific blends of bacteria for these conditions.
Pharmaceuticals are also a new and relevant problem. NatureClean can site specifc blend to eliminate these problems.
When these questions arise, you may need engineering
or mechanical services. Call the office.
Return to Page Index
Identifying the Problem
It is a rare occasion when you have to treat more than
1,500 feet of line in order to eliminate any specific
problem. Always bear in mind that our job is to give the
customer a trouble free line for the lowest possible cost.
Remember, no one is drinking the water in this line or
taking a bath; it only has to run trouble free.
Here are some of the questions we ask to determine the
necessary doses:
1. What is the diameter of the line? The line should
be at least six inches, but eight inches or larger is
more common. Most of the four-inch lines will be laterals
that come from buildings to the main sewer.
2. How long is that portion of line that plugs up because
of grease?
3. How many manholes are involved?
4. How many restaurants are on the line?
Typically, you will find the trouble in the line will
manifest itself somewhere within 300 to 500 feet of a
restaurant. This is because grease emulsifies at 140 degrees.
Since a dishwasher’s rinse water is usually 180
degrees; it is common for the grease to go past the grease
trap and directly to the city main. As the water cools,
the grease congeals and plugs the line. Also, many restaurant
owners know if they run enough hot water in the line,
the grease will not be a problem for them. They just give
it to the city and forget it.
The recommended way to treat a line such as this is to
go to the manhole upstream from the restaurant and start
the bug program measurement from there. If the restaurant
line comes out directly into a manhole, it is still best
to go upstream. However, in this case, start the measurement
from the manhole at the restaurant. Usually, a 1,000 foot
section treatment will be sufficient to cure the problem.
If there are no restaurants on the line, look for apartment
complexes, schools, catering kitchens, and factories that
process food, golf courses or any other place where people
would be cooking. Some businesses such as furniture strippers,
plating plants, or photo developers may discharge chemicals
that kill bacteria.
Another problem area can be where the line has sagged
because the ground under it has washed out. Or it could
be a siphon that runs under a stream or road. These lines
are especially annoying because they are difficult to
clean. When heavy objects such as stones fall into the
bottom they are hard to get out. This debris tends to
trap large amounts of grease.
If it is a sagged line, the diameter of the pipe is reduced
by the amount of the sag. For instance, an eight inch
line with a four inch sag is effectively reduced to a
4 inch line. It is important that the line be as clean
as possible because any grease buildup will only reduce
it more -- with predictable results.
Since a good consistent bacteria program will eliminate
the grease, you can achieve great results and become a
real hero to the guys who have to clean this line.
Return to Page Index
Application of Bacteria
The line to be treated should be cleaned in 500 foot
sections. Starting at the downstream section, the line
is treated for four days. Then the next 500 foot section
upstream is treated in the same manner until the entire
line has received its initial dose (refer to your dosing
chart for specific amounts). If you are treating more
than 1,000 feet, it will be necessary to start the maintenance
dose in the first 1,000 foot section while inoculating
the upstream section. If you have any questions on dosing
or procedures, contact the office before proceeding.
After the initial doses have been completed, maintenance
doses begin. Your dosing chart shows the amount required
for each 1,000 feet of line. You may treat up to one mile
of line from one spot. Simply take the maintenance dose
and multiply by 5.2.
We recommend that after the maintenance dose is begun,
the customer inspect at least four or five manholes in
the sewer line every two to three weeks to monitor for
grease buildup. If after six months or so, if they find
there is no grease buildup, they should be able to cut
their maintenance dose by as much 25 to 50 percent.
Dosage Calculator
Cost of the Program
It has been our experience that Naturclean -33 will not
only be the best product to get the job done, but also,
the least expensive way to. For instance, the maintenance
dose for 1,000 feet of eight-inch sewer line is less than
two cents per foot per week.
You can compute your cost right off the dosing charts.
This comes in handy when you run into someone who is using
degreasers or enzymes. Be sure to compare for actual doses.
Competitive products may be less expensive to buy but
will cost more to use. Do not forget to compare labor
costs.
Naturclean -33 is very powerful and a weekly dose is
sufficient. However, for best results, we recommend the
weekly dose be divided in half and be put in the line
twice a week. Mondays and Fridays are generally good days
because restaurants are busiest on weekends and a lot
of grease is generated. This is not a hard and fast rule.
You may choose to pick other days. This is perfectly all
right. However, we have found that it is important to
be consistent. Whichever days you pick, try to stay with
them. If the program becomes inconsistent, people tend
to forget it.
Once you get your initial doses placed in your system,
you have great latitude with this product. Strive for
a consistent program without inconvenience to the field
personnel. Without their support, the program will fail.
Conversely, field personnel are usually our biggest fans
once the program is in place. They are the guys that do
not have to climb down those stinking, greasy, ugly manholes
or lift stations anymore to clean them.
Return to Page Index
Lift Stations and Pump Stations
Your stations will be more trouble free. The floats will
not hang up. The pumps will run more efficiently and require
less service. You could even notice a significant drop
in your electric usage because your pumps may be turning
on less often.
When you have to work in a lift/pump station (for example,
when changing a pump) all you have to do is hose it down.
The grease will fall right off. Gone forever are the days
when the grease was so hard and thick that he had to take
a chisel to it.
Whether you are treating lift/pump stations or sewer
lines, it is usually (but not always as many times we
find that applying bacteria to both the top of a wet well
and the outside lines works better) best to place the
bacteria at least one or two manholes upstream. Always
pick a spot with safety in mind. If there is heavy traffic,
it may be possible to go into an adjacent building and
flush the bag down a toilet. The danger with this method
is that if something happens to the fellow’s plumbing,
he may blame your customer. If you use this method, be
sure to acquaint him with the fact that the bacteria cannot
possibly hinder his system and in fact will help to clean
his lines and keep them clean .
Remember that grease problems can manifest themselves
anywhere in the system. For example, the lift/pump stations
invariably have large amounts of grease. But they do not
generate any grease; they are simply the victims. They
capture the grease on its way down the line and can only
pump a small amount out.
Treating the Lift/Pump Station
When treating a lift/pump station directly, every gallon
of water coming through must be treated. However, a little
detective work may save a lot of money.
Instead of treating the entire flow in a lift/pump station,
it may be possible to identify the line in the system
that is generating the most grease. It will be the one
that services one or more restaurants, apartment complexes,
a factory that cooks food or other places that generate
extraordinary amounts of grease.
There are many instances in large pump stations that
it is advisable to just treat the wet well. We find that
if we do not pump the wet well all the way down but leave
about a 3 to 4 foot “head”, and we treat the
wet well from the top, we have better results.
Some
Tips for Testing
Try to get a lift station that has a small enough flow
that you can do it with no more than two pails of product.
If the you pick a big station, follow previous directions
and try to identify the grease generator line and treat
it.
If you are doing a lift station, it should be cleaned
prior to starting the program. If this isn’t possible,
be sure to take careful measurements and pictures on Day
One.
When dealing with a thick grease mat in a lift/pump station,
be sure that holes are punched in the mat to expose water.
The reason for this is the bacteria in the water are inhaling
oxygen and exhaling either hydrogen sulfide or carbon
dioxide. This gas, if trapped, will literally lift the
grease mat off the surface of the water. Since most of
the biological activity occurs at the interface between
the water and grease, if the mat is lifted, activity will
slow to almost nothing. KEEP THE HOLES OPEN.
The sewer line you want is “The Friday Night Special”.
This is the line that is running down Main Street and
picks up two or three restaurants. It’s an eight
inch line loaded with grease, so it is really a three
or four inch line. On Friday night, the whole world shows
up at 6 p.m. to have dinner. All that water in that greased
up line spells BACKUP. You could almost set your clock
by the thing. Every town has one. That line backs up on
schedule. If you keep that line running for a couple of
months, you have a winner (do not forget: there may be
more backups during the test).
Safety
Procedures
Sewer lines and lift stations can be dangerous places.
There are two gases associated with sewers that in high
concentrations are deadly. They are METHANE and HYDROGEN
SULFIDE.
Never enter a manhole or lift station unless it has been
checked for gas.
Contact us for more info
|
