Septic Field Header in action

If you ever wondered what a header looks like for a septic field now you will know. I was on a service call the other day and was able to view a header working as I diagnosed a septic pump problem. The septic tank digests the solids into liquids once the pump chamber reaches a given level it discharges the septic effluent to the septic field. If the field is gravity fed rather than pressure distributed it will look similar to the one in the video. Cobob Pump's & Services did not build this header and if we did I would make one change. The incoming effluent line should have a 90 degree bend on it so that the liquid is equally distributed. In this header most of the liquid is shooting into the field lateral at the end or directly across from the inlet. A 90 would slow the liquid down and allow for a more equal distribution throughout the field laterals.

     Oh this wet wet ground is starting to get to me. I have planted more tanks into the water table this year than ever before. In fact we were doing an excavation at a local cemetery for a funeral and the excavation became so undermined that it was unsafe for the funeral home to have the graveside at the actual site. The top few feet seem fine but as soon as you dig into the water the walls just start to fall away under the excavated area.

     We have made out OK this season so far and been able to set all the tanks without to many sluff In's or picker truck stand by charges. Today we installed 7 new holding tanks for a campground. The water table was so high we had to dig them with the picker standing by. It fairly well but we had to work mighty fast to get er done.

     Our hope of owning a 200 series excavator of our very own is closing in. We have selected a Hitachi Zaxis 225 limited tail swing track hoe. Can't wait to sink that 60" bucket into the ground, making our jobs go way faster. We have just been given our largest contract ever and as a milestone we have chosen to purchase the Hitachi to celebrate.

Well the season is off to a great start. I always anticipate this time once the snow starts to melt. Most of the action happens over the summer for the installation crew. The Case 580SM is seen here working at a golf course to install a new water line as well as electrical service to a new outbuilding. We are considering adding a directional drill to our list of equipment so that in the future we can eliminate having to rip up pavement like this just to put in a new line.

I have spoke with Rocky Mountain equipment my local Case dealer but they no longer sell directional drills. Rod has a couple we can own but they are a little to small for what we want to do. After much research I believe that best machine for our work would be something with a 18 - 20,000 lb pullback and the Aztec's that Rod has can only pull back 6,000 lbs. I went to Brant Tractor but as usual, my sales rep was out of the office. He spends so much time out of the office I own both a Case backhoe had a Case Skid steer. The sales manager assured me someone would be in touch, but I haven't heard back yet and its been about 2 weeks. If my sale rep continues to be this bad I may never own a John Deere again. Rod directed me over to Vermeer, what a great staff they have. Craig was very helpful and it seems that the whole team is going to be great to work with. I have decided to work with Vermeer moving forward on the directional drill because of their sales team in Edmonton, Alberta.

Permitting seems to be getting even more difficult. They want more and more information before giving out permits and they have less and less staff to inspect and process requests. I got some great help from Chris at SAC in Edmonton trying to get a permit for a job I have been working on in Wedgwood Cr near Lessard. Edmonton is about the most difficult of the municipalities that I deal with on a regular basis.

Moving forward I believe Cobob Pumps & Services will be focusing more on repairs and subcontracts for large Generals. The issues that we encounter doing new home construction make the benefits of other sectors of construction very enticing.

LevLert inc @levlert www.levlert.com is now in full swing with their line of Essential Services Monitoring and Control Panels. I attended the Edmonton Emco Waterworks class last week and learned allot from Jeff Munday of Tyco international the company that builds the systems. It seems to me that there is no end to what you can do with the LevLert system, unlike most products I carry and install that are single purpose items the LevLert system seems more like Lego, I can build anything I can dream. I love it!

It looks as though we are going to have a very busy season and so I hope I get to blog as much as I would like. Thanks for reading CW

No playing around!

     I have often told people not to let their children play around the septic tank and today I got a call that re-instilled in me why. I got a call from a fellow that was having some "Septic Trouble" could I come by and have a look. I got on site and I had been there before several years ago doing a cleaning. There were two pieces of plywood over the tank openings and I could remember from being here years ago that the owner always had to dig up his lids for me to be able to clean the tanks. So I walked up and lifted off the plywood and when I saw what was under the wood I jumped back, startled. A huge hole had just appeared in the guys otherwise beautiful lawn. I edged closer only to reveal that the hole was in fact very deep, 8 feet down to the top of the mud. His tank collapsed, we talked a little about the situation, he was happy to report that it was still working as far as he knew and perhaps there was some sort of repair that we could do. I said yes we can install a new tank for you in the morning because this one has got to go. Will wonders never cease! So after looking at these pictures you will know why you never go in a tank like this, especially when it's empty and the kids should keep clear of to and lids of the tank. Happy pooping everyone! And no playing around "The septic tank"

 

Broken pitless adaptor fixed

I was a little bit worried about taking on a job in Gainford Alberta but it could not have gone smoother. We left the shop at 8:30 and were back at the office by 1. I love it when things go smoothly that far from home. It turned out to be a broken brass 22, an easy fix in a muddy hole.

Not often the whole systems indoors

Not often the whole systems indoors, but I appreciate it this time of year!

My best cure for sucking rocks

This fellow was having trouble because his pump was sucking up rocks, so when put in his new pump I tied it to a cinder block. Thats a WEO511 high head with a cinder block tied to it. Now thats enough to kink even the strongest of backs. Should be good now.