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21Sep
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

How You Can Set Up An Above Ground Sprinkler System For Your House Or Large Yard With Layflat Hose

Originally produced as a pump discharge hose, Layflat Hose has been incorporated into many different applications such as: mining, horticulture, oil field applications, but this is how you can use it for an above ground sprinkler system.

Layflat hose has become an extremely popular option for anyone who needs to create their own sprinkler system on a DIY budget.  It’s also especially effective for people who need to be able to move their systems around over large areas due to its flexibility and durability.

Further, its low economical initial investment, ease of use, and resistance to chemical water treatment makes it a popular choice in a wide variety of applications.

Layflat’s initial cost is lower than other pipe and hose types. They are easy to connect, don’t require many special tools, and can be hauled over long distances. In fact, most brands of Layflat are compatible with Oval Hose fittings, which makes locating compatible and affordable fittings an easy task.

Is your yard so big that it just doesn’t make sense to install a MASSIVE sprinkler system underground? Perhaps you need to water recreational parks or sports stadiums?

Layflat hose is your answer because of how flexible, space saving, and cost effective it is.

All you need to do is hook up your layflat hose  (from 1 inch all the way to 4 inch in diameter!) to a water source and then connect it  to a water source with the appropriate fittings

For someone who doesn’t want to worry about turning it on and off, you can use a  battery-powered sprinkler timer which screws directly into the outdoor faucet. The timer outputs water through a single male-threaded faucet. Attaching a dual metal shut-off hose “Y” allows you to split that single output into two directions, one on each side of the lawn.

From there you can pick and choose which sprinkler system best fits your application. Whether it is a Heavy Duty Sled Based Sprinkler, Tripod Sprinkler,or Wheeled Sprinkler Cart – you have the option to customize your systems to any size or standard because of how customizable layflat hose is to its use.

Then, of course, when you need to pack it all up when watering season is over, you can take in your sprinklers, roll up your layflat hose, and store it nice and easily until the next season!

By
September 21, 2022
gray-pipe-with-water-coming-out-its-hole
13Sep
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

It’s Onsite!: What’s A Septic Tank And How Does It Work For You As An Onsite Wastewater System?

An onsite wastewater system (more commonly known as septic system) is a multi-tiered system which collects, treats, and disperses wastewater generated by a home or business.

Instead of connecting to a sewer, a business or homeowner has the option to use a septic system to handle any wastewater treatment.

In an onsite wastewater treatment system like a septic system, the idea is to treat the wastewater and then discharge it into the soil on site rather than transport it to a wastewater treatment plant via sewage pipes or truck.

How Does An Onsite Septic System Work To Treat Wastewater?

The septic tank is buried underground (or in some cases there are above ground septic systems depending on the water levels of the site). The tank itself is a watertight container usually made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. Its one job is to house wastewater long enough for any solids to settle to the bottom (forming sludge) and for any oil or grease to float to the top (as scum).

Each tank also contains a  filerter called the Effluent Filter at the outlet of the box.  This filter keeps solids from leaving the tank and clogging the leach field – which is also underground – where the waste water is transferred into the soil.

An important part of the septic tank is the Distribution Box. This box splits the flows from the septic tank into multiple leach lines which then leach the wastewater into multiple spots throughout the leach field.  Further treatment of the wastewater occurs as it flows from the leach field and into/through the soils.

More recent systems have an advanced treatment system called the INNOVATIVE/ALTERNATIVE (I/A) systems and typically follow or even sometimes replace the septic tank altogether. These systems can treat the wastewater in a way which allows for a smaller leach field as well as smaller splits to groundwater tables and bedrock.

How Should You Maintain Your Onsite Wastewater System?

All of the components of your onsite wastewater system should be maintained on a regular basis.

Septic tanks should general pumped when the solids or scum reach a certain volume of the tank.

Effluent filters should be checked and cleaned by professionals on a regular basis (either once or twice a year for most households and filters).

Distribution boxes should also be checked and adjusted by professionals to maintain equal distribution.

Your pump tanks should be assessed for solids build-up and control panel operation (including checking the alarm).

How Should You Operate Your Septic System?

  • Make sure you have installed high-efficiency toilets in your business or your home.  High efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons of water or less per flush.
  • Do you have faucet aerators and high-efficiency showerheads? Both of these tools reduce the amount of water flowing through the pipes.
  • When you use your washing machines be sure to run only full loads of laundry, and to stagger loads throughout the week.
  • Never flush feminine hygiene products, diapers, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, household chemicals, pharmaceuticals.  ONLY human waste and toilet paper goes in your toilet.
  • Try to only use boiling water or a drain snake for clogged drains.
  • It’s also best to not have  garbage disposal in your sink because it can significantly reduce the amount of solids entering the tank.

 

Here’s how to best maintain your leach field:

  • Never park or drive on your leach field.
  • Plant trees the appropriate distance from your leach field to keep roots from growing into your septic system
  • Keep roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems away from your leach field

 

How Does An Onsite Wastewater System Fail?

Septic system failures may be caused by a number of activities including:

  • pouring chemicals down sinks or toilets
  • excessive water use
  • failure to provide proper maintenance
  • use of garbage disposals
  • improper design or installation of the system
  • The leach field may clog over time, and that’s when it’s no longer operating within its intended lifespan.

These are the symptoms of an onsite wastewater system failure:

  • You will see wastewater backing up into household drains.
  • You will notice super bright green, spongy grass on the leach field, even during dry weather.
  • You will notice pooling water or muddy soil around your septic system or even in your basement.
By
September 13, 2022
pexels-julia-volk-5273095
07Sep
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

The Many Challenges And Solutions We Are Facing With Our Water Distribution System

We are experiencing an unparalleled water drought and our water distribution system needs to be improved.

We are experiencing some of the worst drought conditions (especially in the southwest U.S.) that our country has ever faced.  We have a rapidly increasing population in areas that aren’t built to house the kind of demand, and we need innovative methods to manage a water supply system. For water to be present for all, we need to think outside of the box.

In some instances, we have already begun this process. Recently, reclaimed water has been growing in popularity as an essential water resource for potable and nonpotable uses. Furthermore, new conveyance systems, treatment facilities and beginning to implement more conservation practices are starting to make minor differences in the present and future of our water supply.

The problem with this is that the more changes we make, the more complex our systems become – which then means there is a far greater margin for error during the operation of the system.

As such, there has been an increasing number of attempts to develop an accessible general water supply system so that we can reliably have water now, but also with an eye towards long range planning.

Below are some distribution systems which many engineers are starting to work with for our future.

A Fully Operational (And Properly Working) Water Distribution System

  1. Water quality should not get deteriorated in the distribution pipes.
  2. Supplies water at all the intended places with sufficient pressure.
  3. No one should be without water supply – even during any repairs of the system.
  4. All the distribution pipes should be three feet away or above the sewer lines.
  5. There should be minimal leakage throughout the system.

Layouts of Water Distribution Network System

Since the water systems of each municipality have been constructed at various times of history, and usually follow the roadways, there are many different kinds of layouts.

Grid Iron Water Distribution System:

It is suitable for cities with rectangular layout, where the water mains and branches are laid in rectangles.

Advantages:

  1. Water is kept in good circulation due to the absence of dead ends.
  2. In the cases of a breakdown in some section, water is available from some other direction.

Disadvantages

  1. Exact calculation of sizes of pipes is not possible due to provision of valves on all branches.

Ring Water Distribution System:

The supply main is laid all along the peripheral roads and sub mains branch out from the mains. Thus, this system also follows the grid iron system with the flow pattern similar in character to that of dead end system.

Advantages:

  1. Water can be supplied to any point from at least two directions.

Radial System:

The area is divided into different zones. The water is pumped into the distribution reservoir kept in the middle of each zone and the supply pipes are laid radially ending towards the periphery.

Advantages:

  1. It gives quick service.
  2. Calculation of pipe sizes is easy.

Dead End System:

It is suitable for old towns and cities having no definite pattern of roads.

Advantages:

  1. Relatively cheap.
  2. Determination of discharges and pressure easier due to less number of valves.

Disadvantages

  1. Due to many dead ends, stagnation of water occurs in pipes.

By
September 7, 2022
The Cost Of Waiting To Start A Lay Flat Hose Program For Water And Wastewater
12Aug
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

Safe Wastewater Management Could Help Protect Our Ecosystems, Give Us Energy & Produce Quality Water For Consumption

Wastewater will potentially play a significant role in supplementing our growing water demand, energy production, and even sustainable agriculture.

Good water quality is the lifeblood for our health, but also our thriving economies. The water problems we are facing today though, is that our population is increasing, pollution is at an all time high and our water delivery systems are not only growing older but they are getting far more complex. In essence, it’s just harder to get clean water to the people who need it.

A potential solution to this problem is how we manage our wastewater. The solution not only extends to how we manage the quality water services, but also how we can treat it.  Our goal is   not to worry about the chemical, physical and biological components so it can be reused to supplement our growing potable water demand.

Our initial inclination as a society is to either discard or ignore wastewater. While that may have worked in the past, that outdated model has to evolve as our ecosystems evolve around us.

The Hard Challenges and Many Areas Of Opportunity Wastewater Presents For Our Ecosystem

Safe and sufficient water is inexorably linked to how our wastewater is managed.

The challenges we face with wastewater is that in order to turn it into potable water, that wastewater must be carefully managed during every part of the water treatment. That treatment is extremely complex and the regulations surrounding wastewater treatment are relatively prohibitive. In other words, the water quality standards are extremely high – as they should be!

This doesn’t mean it can’t be done, but, rather, it is time consuming and expensive to treat it appropriately.

Further complicating this process is the rapid increase in our global population which means a commensurate increase in wastewater as well as the overall pollution associated witih the creation of wastewater.

What’s more, our water supply is starting to see signs of untreated sewage, heavy metals, farm runoff and industrial water and that is degrading the overall quality of water for the global population. In fact, 80% of wastewater flows back into our ecosystem without being treated or reused.  This is  contributing to 1.8 billion people using a source of drinking water which is contaminated which puts them at risk of contracting diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and even polio.

Our wastewater and and the effect on the water quality in our cities

Wastewater commonly flows directly into the closest water drains or drainage channels,  and usually without treatment – especially large populations in third world countries.

On the other hand, wastewater used by municipalities in the United states for watering green spaces or to clean common areas like streets does not need to be treated to a potable standard. This is beneficial because we can use that treated water, and not run the tap water supply down by using it to do the same job.

When we look at it from this point of view, recycled wastewater may help combat other challenges including food production and industrial development.

Wastewater and the effect on our industries

Our society has put increased pressure on industries to not only reduce pollution over the past few years, but also to treat the water they use before it is discharged back into the global water supply.

Many companies are seeing how wastewater can be used within the business itself or via multiple businesses through a process called ‘industrial symbiosis’.  Because it doesn’t need to be of drinking water quality, these companies are seeing a strong incentive to use in-house wastewater simply based on cost savings alone.

For instance, companies are starting to use processed water for cooling or heating their buildings.  Furthermore, these companies are also using water from roof collections for everyday uses like flushing toilets, watering the grass or vehicle cleaning.

Once again, this lowers the stress level on the potable water supplies, and makes for a much more efficient use of resources, time, and energy.

Wastewater and the benefits on our agriculture

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have seen an increase in recent years, and this increases the potential of environmental pollution coming from our farm systems.

This level of irrigation is problematic, especially for third world countries, because it is informing what kind of water these populations are consuming. By improving wastewater management, we will see a direct correlation to workers’ health simply because we are reducing the risk of exposure to various harmful pathogens.

As such, if applied safely, wastewater is a valuable source of both water and nutrients.  This can contribute to the water supply, as well as food security and livelihood improvements.

 

Be Safe – Think Ahead

At PPS, we value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price only products.  Though we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors. When in a disaster situation, a city, county, state, or government needs to consider all options.

As such, we guide our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it earthquake, flood, fires, or just an aging infrastructure utilizing lay flat hose. See our website for our layflat hose solutions.

By
August 12, 2022
pexels-eberhard-grossgasteiger-518485
29Jul
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

Understanding How Our Water Systems Work To Brings Us Earth’s Biggest Resource Every Single Day

Water is around us every day, but many people don’t realize how massive our complex network of water systems have to be in order to fulfill humanity’s demands.

For many in the U.S., if you want a glass of water, you just grab a cup, go to the sink, and flip on the faucet. Water comes rushing out, you take your first sip (probably think about how you could really use a Mio right about now) and then you go on with your day. Easy.

Well, it’s not that easy. In fact, the process which happens from the water pooling somewhere, being delivered to your pipes, your turning the faucet on, and wishing you had some Mio to flavor it up is so complex that we should still all marvel at how we even have indoor plumbing at all.

Before we dive into this complex machine, however, let’s first set up a series of definitions so we can have a clear basis of understanding.

Our Water Systems Require Six Key Stages To Effectively Operate Today

Source water

Water has to start somewhere, and for us, it begins in the lakes, rivers, underground aquifers, ponds and reservoirs around us. Ultimately, all of our drinking water can eventually be traced back to these bodies of water in some way or another. There are many ways these waters are  fed, but the main sources of replenishment are rain and melting snow.  If we have lots of rain and snow, we have plenty of water. If there is a drought, that is why you see waterbans and water rationing in your local neighborhoods. This is an effort to make sure we don’t demand more than what our water sources can supply.

Water treatment

Can you walk right up to a river and drink from it? Sure. Though, we wouldn’t recommend it as there are potentially lots of different organisms and bacteria in that water which make it unsafe for our consumption.  For our water to be perfectly safe for drinking, we have to make sure that we filter and purify water so that it is safe for our use.

Water distribution systems

These are the pipes and pumps that deliver clean water to our taps. In Los Angeles, CA alone, there are over a quarter of a million pipes (which equal out to nearly 6800 miles long) that deliver their water on a daily basis.

Wastewater collection systems

We all have to go to the bathroom, right? In today’s day and age, we have the beauty of indoor plumbing – but that wastewater has to go from our toilets to somewhere and these are the pipes and pumps which take away that used water from our toilets, drains, bathtubs, and laundry. You are probably very familiar with this system because these are also known as sewers. In Los Angeles County the Sanitary Sewer Network covers approximately 824 square miles and encompasses 78 cities and unincorporated territory within the County. There are approximately 9,500 miles of tributary sewers that are owned and operated by the cities and County.

Wastewater treatment

This is a much bigger deal than you would think. Yes, our wastewater is treated and put back into the environment — which means it goes into our drinking water sources! Fret not though, there is a strict filtration process which the wastewater must undergo BEFORE it hits our drinking water supply. In fact, there are at least 5 different kinds of wastewater treatment which must be done – and then that water is literally crystal clear.  The process to remove contaminants from our used water so that it can be safely returned to the environment is also called sewage treatment.

Stormwater systems

It rains and it snows all over this country – but the water that is dumped on the land doesn’t just disappear.  Well, some of it leeches into the ground or evaporates, but most of it has to be physically moved away from our homes and/or streets so we can keep carrying on with our day-to-day lives. We do this by using the pipes, ditches and natural systems to channel that rainwater and snowmelt away back to the natural environment. You should be very familiar with these systems as well because there are storm drains everywhere!

The ground in urban areas is mostly covered by  roads, parking lots, or buildings, so the stormwater systems prevent flooding of our homes and businesses by collecting the water in storm drains and piping it to lakes, rivers and the ocean.

A complication exists for this water system because stormwater is not treated before it is discharged to the environment. As a result, contaminants and debris often get into the system, and impact humans, fish and other wildlife that use the lakes, rivers and ocean areas where stormwater flows.

This goes back to why you shouldn’t just drink water out of a local river, lake or pond.  More than likely you would be drinking stormwater!

Where Does Our Drinking Water Come From?

Many people get their water from municipal water systems, whereas others get their water from private wells, and water delivered by tanker trucks into holding tanks.

90% of the water that feeds into municipal water systems comes from surface water sources like rivers and lakes. The remainder of the water of the water usually comes from groundwater sources like underground aquifers.

How Does Water Get From The Water Source To The Taps In Our Kitchen?

As we noted before, our water is extracted from the water source and then it is vigorously treated before it is pumped to our taps. Most systems will include multiple filtration stages to remove particles, debris and algae – as well as  disinfection to remove various bacteria and viruses and purify the water.  To that end, most disinfection methods include chlorination and treatment with UV light.

Once treatment has been completed, water is distributed to homes and businesses in very large pipes called water mains. These mains are usually buried under roads and sidewalks and the maintenance of these pipes usually fall within the jurisdiction of the municipality.

From the main pipes come water lines – which are smaller pipes that transport the water from water mains to individual homes, apartments and businesses. Water lines are usually the responsibility of the property owner, and need to be maintained by the owner.

How Do We Know Our Water Is Safe And Where Does It Go?

Most people rely on sewer systems to take  water away from their homes and businesses, while other collect water in private septic systems, and very few people  haul their water away.

Water from the sewer pipes is treated because it is affected by the types of contaminants in the sewage.  As such, the wastewater is treated to the strict laws established in local  and federal regulations.

The most common steps in sewage treatment for our drinking watert:

  • Preliminary treatment removes grit, like sand and gravel, egg shells, coffee grounds etc. from raw sewage.
  • Primary treatment starts with temporary holding of sewage to allow the solids to sink to the bottom, and oil and grease to float to the top. The settled and floating material is removed, and the remaining liquid is moved to the next stage of treatment or discharged to the environment.
  • Secondary treatment removes dissolved and suspended biological matter and the remaining liquid is moved to the next stage of treatment or discharged to the environment.

Tertiary treatment is when water is treated with chemicals and filtered prior to being released to the environment.

Be Safe - Think Ahead

At PPS, we value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price only products.  Though we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors. When in a disaster situation, a city, county, state, or government needs to consider all options.

As such, we guide our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it earthquake, flood, fires, or just an aging infrastructure utilizing lay flat hose. See our website for our layflat hose solutions.

By
July 29, 2022
pexels-quang-nguyen-vinh-6415966-1
15Jul
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

Not Every Small Wastewater System Is The Same — And Why You Need To Know The Differences

Wastewater is essentially “used” water. It includes substances such as human waste, food scraps, oils, soaps, and chemicals. It comes from homes, businesses, and industries everywhere.

If wastewater is not properly treated, then the effect on the environment and human health can be disastrous.  Without treatment, fish and wildlife populations would suffer, oxygen would deplete to dangerous levels, beaches would have to close and there would be massive restrictions on recreational water use or even drinking water use.

Wastewater Is A Vital Part Of Our Society And It Needs To Be Treated

Our water is used by homes, industries, and businesses, but it must be treated before it is released back into the environment.

While nature has an amazing ability to treat small amounts of water waste and pollution, it simply cannot treat the billions of gallons of wastewater and sewage produced every day by humans.

The goal is to remove as much of the suspended solids as possible before the remaining water is sent back to the environment.

Wastewater Treatment Methods And Technologies Which Are In Use Today

Decentralized Systems

This is a fancy way of referring to a septic system or a small community cluster.

Instead of collecting and transporting the wastewater to a nearby plant, a decentralized wastewater system treats sewage from homes and businesses near the source where wastewater is generated.

These systems play a major role in wastewater treatment in small communities across the country. A variety of decentralized technologies exist, ranging from individual septic systems to cluster systems that serve multiple properties. There are even advanced treatment systems that remove many of the pollutants harmful to humans and the environment in general.

Decentralized systems provide an effective, low-cost alternative to a centralized system – especially in a scenario where a centralized system may be impractical because of distance, terrain, or other factors.

Centralized Systems

Centralized systems are public sewer systems. You know those drains you see on the road? More than likely, those are sewer systems.

Sewers collect municipal wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries and deliver it to a treatment plant for processing. Once treated, the water is either reused or it is discharged back into the surface or groundwater.

There are many different types of centralized plants each with its own purpose and method of treating wastewater:

Sewage Treatment Plants

Treats wastewater from homes, businesses, or even pretreated wastewater from industrial use.  This wastewater treatment aims to remove contaminants from sewage to produce an “effluent” that is suitable for discharge to the surrounding environment or an intended reuse application.

Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants

After treatment, the treated industrial wastewater (or effluent) may be reused or released to a sanitary sewer or to surface water in the environment. Most industrial processes, such as petroleum refineries, chemical, and petrochemical plants treat their wastewaters so that it complies with the regulations regarding the disposal of wastewaters into sewers or into rivers, lakes, or oceans.

Leachate Treatment Plants

These plants are used to treat leachate from landfills. Treatment options include biological treatment, mechanical treatment by ultrafiltration, treatment with active carbon filters, or electrochemical treatment.

Be Safe – Think Ahead

At PPS, we value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price-only products.  Though we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors. When in a disaster situation, a city, county, state, or government needs to consider all options.

As such, we guide our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it an earthquake, flood, fires, or just an aging infrastructure utilizing a lay flat hose.

By
July 15, 2022
Home sewage system
23Jun
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

Know The Technology Around You: How Sewer And Septic Systems Work To Make Your Life A Lot Better

Sewer and septic systems are EVERYWHERE around us, yet one of the questions I am asked most often is – how do they work?

Being in the business of water distribution and bringing wastewater from one place to another requires me to have a fairly good understanding about how sewer and septic systems work.

But I am constantly surprised about how little the common person understands the function of each system because these systems are in use every single day. Without them, we would literally be swimming in basins of wastewater no matter where we went.

Trust me, I get it – it’s not the most glamorous subject, but wastewater treatment and distribution is essential to our everyday life – and if you ever plan on buying either a home or business, you should have a working knowledge of how these systems work too. So let’s dive in!

Original article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/plumbing/sewer.htm

Why Do We Need a Sewer System?

Each time you flush the toilet or you wash something down the sink’s drain, you create sewage (also known in polite society as wastewater). One question that many people might ask is, “Why not simply dump this wastewater onto the ground outside the house, or into a nearby stream?” There are three main things about wastewater that make it something you don’t want to release into the environment:

  1. It stinks. If you release wastewater directly into the environment, things get very smelly very fast.
  2. It contains harmful bacteria. Human waste naturally contains coliform bacteria (for example, E. coli) and other bacteria that can cause disease. Once water becomes infected with these bacteria, it becomes a health hazard.
  3. It contains suspended solids and chemicals that affect the environment. For example:
    • Wastewater contains nitrogen and phosphates that, being fertilizers, encourage the growth of algae. Excessive algae growth can block sunlight and foul the water.
    • Wastewater contains organic material that bacteria in the environment will start decomposing. When they do, these bacteria consume oxygen in the water. The resulting lack of oxygen kills fish.
    • The suspended solids in wastewater make the water look murky and can affect the ability of many fish to breathe and see.
  4. The increased algae, reduced oxygen and murkiness destroy the ability of a stream or lake to support wildlife, and all of the fish, frogs and other life forms quickly die.

No one wants to live in an place that stinks, is full of deadly bacteria and cannot support aquatic life. That’s why communities build wastewater treatment plants and enforce laws against the release of raw sewage into the environment.­

Private Treatment: The Septic Tank

In rural areas where houses are spaced so far apart that a sewer system would be too expensive to install, people install their own, private sewage treatment plants. These are called septic tanks.

A septic tank is simply a big concrete or steel tank that is buried in the yard. The tank might hold 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of water. Wastewater flows into the tank at one end and leaves the tank at the other. The tank looks something like this in cross-section:

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In this picture, you can see three layers. Anything that floats rises to the top and forms a layer known as the scum layer. Anything heavier than water sinks to form the sludge layer. In the middle is a fairly clear water layer. This body of water contains bacteria and chemicals like nitrogen and phosphorous that act as fertilizers, but it is largely free of solids.

Wastewater comes into the septic tank from the sewer pipes in the house, as shown here:

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A septic tank naturally produces gases (caused by bacteria breaking down the organic material in the wastewater), and these gases don’t smell good. Sinks therefore have loops of pipe called P-traps that hold water in the lower loop and block the gases from flowing back into the house. The gases flow up a vent pipe instead — if you look at the roof of any house, you will see one or more vent pipes poking through.

As new water enters the tank, it displaces the water that’s already there. This water flows out of the septic tank and into a drain field. A drain field is made of perforated pipes buried in trenches filled with gravel. The following diagram shows an overhead view of a house, septic tank, distribution box and drain field:

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A typical drain field pipe is 4 inches (10 centimeters) in diameter and is buried in a trench that is 4 to 6 feet (about 1.5 m) deep and 2 feet (0.6 m) wide. The gravel fills the bottom 2 to 3 feet of the trench and dirt covers the gravel, like this:

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The water is slowly absorbed and filtered by the ground in the drain field. The size of the drain field is determined by how well the ground absorbs water. In places where the ground is hard clay that absorbs water very slowly, the drain field has to be much bigger.

A septic system is normally powered by nothing but gravity. Water flows down from the house to the tank, and down from the tank to the drain field. It is a completely passive system.

You may have heard the expression, “The grass is always greener over the septic tank.” Actually, it’s the drain field, and the grass really is greener — it takes advantage of the moisture and nutrients in the drain field.

Urban Wastewater Systems

In urban and suburban areas where people are packed closer together and where there is a lot more wastewater to treat, the community will construct a sewer system that collects wastewater and takes it to a wastewater treatment facility.

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In the ideal case, a sewer system is completely gravity-powered, like a septic system. Pipes from each house or building flow to a sewer main that runs, for example, down the middle of the street. The sewer main might be 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 m) in diameter. Periodically, a vertical pipe will run up from the main to the surface, where it is covered by a manhole cover. Manholes allow access to the main for maintenance purposes.

The sewer mains flow into progressively larger pipes until they reach the wastewater treatment plant. In order to help gravity do its job, the wastewater treatment plant is usually located in a low-lying area, and sewer mains will often follow creekbeds and streambeds (which flow naturally downhill) to the plant.

Normally, the lay of the land will not completely cooperate, and gravity cannot do all the work. In these cases, the sewer system will include a grinder-pump or a lift station to move the wastewater up over a hill.

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Once the water reaches the wastewater treatment plant, it goes through one, two or three stages of treatment (depending on the sophistication of the plant).

Here’s what each stage does:

  • The first stage, known as primary treatment, does the same thing a septic tank does. It allows the solids to settle out of the water and the scum to rise. The system then collects the solids for disposal (either in a landfill or an incinerator).
    Primary treatment is very simple — it involves a screen followed by a set of pools or ponds that let the water sit so that the solids can settle out.

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  • Primary treatment might remove half of the solids, organic materials and bacteria from the water. If the plant does no more than primary treatment, then the water is chlorinated to kill the remaining bacteria and discharged.
  • The second stage, known as secondary treatment, removes organic materials and nutrients. This is done with the help of bacteria — the water flows to large, aerated tanks where bacteria consume everything they can.

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  • The wastewater then flows to settling tanks where the bacteria settle out. Secondary treatment might remove 90 percent of all solids and organic materials from the wastewater.

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  • he third stage, known as tertiary treatment, varies depending on the community and the composition of the wastewater. Typically, the third stage will use chemicals to remove phosphorous and nitrogen from the water, but may also include filter beds and other types of treatment. Chlorine added to the water kills any remaining bacteria, and the water is discharged.

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Measuring the Effectiveness of a Treatment Plant

The effectiveness of wastewater treatment plants is measured on several different scales. Here are some of the most common:

  • pH – This is the measure of the water’s acidity once it leaves the plant. Ideally, the water’s pH would match the pH of the river or lake that receives the plant’s output.
  • BOD (bio-chemical oxygen demand) – BOD is a measure of how much oxygen in the water will be required to finish digesting the organic material left in the effluent. Ideally, the BOD would be zero.
  • Dissolved oxygen – This is the amount of oxygen in the water as it leaves the plant. If the water contains no oxygen, it will kill any aquatic life that comes into contact with it. Dissolved oxygen should be as high as possible and needs to cover the BOD.
  • Suspended solids – This is the measure of the solids remaining in the water after treatment. Ideally, suspended solids would be zero.
  • Total phosphorous and nitrogen – This is the measure of the nutrients remaining in the water.
  • Chlorine – The chlorine used to kill harmful bacteria needs to be removed so it does not kill beneficial bacteria in the environment. Ideally, chlorine should not be detectable.
  • Coliform bacteria count – This is the measure of fecal bacteria remaining in the water. Ideally, this number would be zero. Note that water in the environment is not totally free of fecal bacteria — birds and other wildlife do introduce some.

The main reason why these indicators need to be watched so closely is because any community produces a huge quantity of wastewater. Discharge levels ranging from 10 million to 100 million gallons per day (38 million to 380 million liters) are common for a wastewater treatment plant.

Be Safe – Think Ahead

At PPS, we value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price only products.  Though we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors. When in a disaster situation, a city, county, state, or government needs to consider all options.

As such, we guide our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it earthquake, flood, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

By
June 23, 2022
pexels-pixabay-40784
14Jun
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater Potable Water

How To Get Drinking Water To The Right People Using Effecitve Drinking Water Distribution Systems

Water is essentially everywhere on and under Earth’s surface.  Fun fact though, less than 1 percent of it is liquid freshwater. In fact, most of Earth’s estimated 326 million cubic miles of water is in the oceans or frozen in polar ice caps and glaciers.

This is a little bit of an issue for water consumption because ocean water contains about 4.5 ounces per gallon of salts thus making it unfit for drinking.

This doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of fresh water – we do!

But, as you can imagine, it’s not always available when and where it is needed. So, here’s the big question – how do we put drinking water in the hands of the people who need it?  We need effective drinking water distribution systems.

But first, let’s take a quick look at water sources, what it means for drinking water, and then we can dive into how we get it into the hands of the right people.

Surface water and groundwater

Surface water and groundwater are both important sources for community water supply needs. Groundwater is a common source for single homes and small towns, and rivers and lakes are the usual sources for large cities. Although approximately 98 percent of liquid fresh water exists as groundwater, much of it occurs very deep. This makes pumping very expensive, preventing the full development and use of all groundwater resources.

The hydrologic cycle

Water is in constant circulation, powered by the energy from sunlight and gravity in a natural process called the hydrologic cycle.

Water evaporates from the ocean and land surfaces, is held temporarily as vapour in the atmosphere, and falls back to Earth’s surface as precipitation. Surface water is the residue of precipitation and melted snow, called runoff. Where the average rate of precipitation exceeds the rate at which runoff seeps into the soil, evaporates, or is absorbed by vegetation, bodies of surface water such as streams, rivers, and lakes are formed. Water that infiltrates Earth’s surface becomes groundwater, slowly seeping downward into extensive layers of porous soil and rock called aquifers.

Under the pull of gravity, groundwater flows slowly and steadily through the aquifer. In low areas it emerges in springs and streams. Both surface water and groundwater eventually return to the ocean, where evaporation replenishes the supply of atmospheric water vapor.

Winds carry the moist air over land, precipitation occurs, and the hydrologic cycle continues.

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Surface water sources

The total land area that contributes surface runoff to a river or lake is called a watershed, drainage basin, or catchment area. The volume of water available for municipal supply depends mostly on the amount of rainfall. It also depends on the size of the watershed, the slope of the ground, the type of soil and vegetation, and the type of land use.

The flow rate or discharge of a river varies with time. Higher flow rates typically occur in the spring, and lower flow rates occur in the winter, though this is often not the case in areas with monsoon systems. When the average discharge of a river is not enough for a dependable supply of water, a conservation reservoir may be built. The flow of water is blocked by a dam, allowing an artificial lake to be formed.

Conservation reservoirs store water from wet weather periods for use during times of drought and low streamflow. A water intake structure is built within the reservoir, with inlet ports and valves at several depths. Since the quality of water in a reservoir varies seasonally with depth, a multilevel intake allows water of best quality to be withdrawn.

Sometimes it is advisable, for economic reasons, to provide a multipurpose reservoir. A multipurpose reservoir is designed to satisfy a combination of community water needs. In addition to drinking water, the reservoir may also provide flood control, hydroelectric power, and recreation.

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Groundwater sources

The value of an aquifer as a source of groundwater is a function of the porosity of the geologic stratum, or layer, of which it is formed. Water is withdrawn from an aquifer by pumping it out of a well or infiltration gallery. An infiltration gallery typically includes several horizontal perforated pipes radiating outward from the bottom of a large-diameter vertical shaft.

Wells are constructed in several ways, depending on the depth and nature of the aquifer. Wells used for public water supplies, usually more than 30 metres (100 feet) deep and from 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12 inches) in diameter, must penetrate large aquifers that can provide dependable yields of good-quality water.

They are drilled using impact or rotary techniques and are usually lined with a metal pipe or casing to prevent contamination. The annular space around the outside of the upper portion of the casing is filled with cement grout, and a special sanitary seal is installed at the top to provide further protection. At the bottom of the casing, a slotted screen is attached to strain silt and sand out of the groundwater.

A submersible pump driven by an electric motor can be used to raise the water to the surface. Sometimes a deep well may penetrate a confined artesian aquifer, in which case natural hydrostatic pressure can raise the water to the surface.

Water requirements

Municipal water supply systems include facilities for storage, transmission, treatment, and distribution. The design of these facilities depends on the quality of the water, on the particular needs of the user or consumer, and on the quantities of water that must be processed.

Drinking-water quality

Water has such a strong tendency to dissolve other substances that it is rarely found in nature in a pure condition. When it falls as rain, small amounts of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide become dissolved in it; raindrops also carry tiny dust particles and other substances. As it flows over the ground, water picks up fine soil particles, microbes, organic material, and soluble minerals. In lakes, bogs, and swamps, water may gain colour, taste, and odour from decaying vegetation and other natural organic matter. Groundwater usually acquires more dissolved minerals than does surface runoff because of its longer direct contact with soil and rock. It may also absorb gases such as hydrogen sulfide and methane. In populated areas the quality of surface water as well as groundwater is directly influenced by land use and by human activities. For example, stormwater runoff contaminated with agricultural or lawn pesticides and fertilizers, as well as with road deicing chemicals or motor oil, can flow into streams and lakes. In addition, effluent from malfunctioning septic tanks and subsurface leaching fields can seep into groundwater.

Water quality standards set limits on the concentrations of impurities allowed in water. Standards also affect the selection of raw water sources and the choice of treatment processes. The development of water quality standards began in the United States in the early 20th century. Since that time, the total number of regulated contaminants has increased as toxicological knowledge and analytical measurement techniques have improved. Modern testing methods now allow the detection of contaminants in extremely low concentrations—as low as one part contaminant per one billion parts water or even, in some cases, per one trillion parts water. Water quality standards are continually evolving, usually becoming more stringent. As a result, the number of regulated contaminants increases over time, and their allowable concentrations in water are lowered.

Drinking-water regulations in the United States include two types of standards: primary and secondary.

Primary standards are designed to protect public health, whereas secondary standards are based on aesthetic factors rather than on health effects. Primary standards specify maximum contaminant levels for many chemical, microbiological, and radiological parameters of water quality. They reflect the best available scientific and engineering judgment and take into account exposure from other sources in the environment and from foods. Turbidity is also included in the primary standards because of its tendency to interfere with disinfection. Secondary standards are guidelines or suggested maximum levels of colour, taste, odour, hardness, corrosiveness, and certain other factors.

Municipal water consumption

Water consumption in a community is characterized by several types of demand, including domestic, public, commercial, and industrial uses. Domestic demand includes water for drinking, cooking, washing, laundering, and other household functions. Public demand includes water for fire protection, street cleaning, and use in schools and other public buildings. Commercial and industrial demands include water for stores, offices, hotels, laundries, restaurants, and most manufacturing plants. There is usually a wide variation in total water demand among different communities. This variation depends on population, geographic location, climate, the extent of local commercial and industrial activity, and the cost of water.

Water use or demand is expressed numerically by average daily consumption per capita (per person). In the United States the average is approximately 380 litres (100 gallons) per capita per day for domestic and public needs. Overall, the average total demand is about 680 litres (180 gallons) per capita per day, when commercial and industrial water uses are included. (These figures do not include withdrawals from freshwater sources for such purposes as crop irrigation or cooling operations at electric power-generating facilities.) Water consumption in some developing countries may average as little as 15 litres (4 gallons) per capita per day. The world average is estimated to be approximately 60 litres (16 gallons) per person per day.

In any community, water demand varies on a seasonal, daily, and hourly basis. On a hot summer day, for example, it is not unusual for total water consumption to be as much as 200 percent of the average demand. The peak demands in residential areas usually occur in the morning and early evening hours (just before and after the normal workday). Water demands in commercial and industrial districts, though, are usually uniform during the work day. Minimum water demands typically occur in the very early or predawn morning hours. Civil and environmental engineers must carefully study each community’s water use patterns in order to design efficient pumping and distribution systems.

Water distribution

A water distribution system is a network of pumps, pipelines, storage tanks, and other appurtenances. It must deliver adequate quantities of water at pressures sufficient for operating plumbing fixtures and firefighting equipment, yet it must not deliver water at pressures high enough to increase the occurrence of leaks and pipeline breaks. Pressure-regulating valves may be installed to reduce pressure levels in low-lying service areas. More than half the cost of a municipal water supply system is for the distribution network.

Pipelines

The pipeline system of a municipal water distribution network consists of arterial water mains or primary feeders, which convey water from the treatment plant to areas of major water use in the community, and smaller-diameter pipelines called secondary feeders, which tie in to the mains. Usually not less than 150 mm (6 inches) in diameter, these pipelines are placed within the public right-of-way so that service connections can be made for all potential water users. The pipelines are usually arranged in a gridiron pattern that allows water to circulate in interconnected loops; this permits any broken sections of pipe to be isolated for repair without disrupting service to large areas of the community. “Dead-end” patterns may also be used, but they do not permit circulation, and the water they provide is more susceptible to taste and odour problems because of stagnation.

A water distribution pipeline must be able to resist internal and external forces, as well as corrosion. Pipes are placed under stress by internal water pressure, by the weight of the overlying soil, and by vehicles passing above. They may have to withstand water-hammer forces; these occur when valves are closed too rapidly, causing pressure waves to surge through the system. In addition, metal pipes may rust internally if the water supply is corrosive or externally because of corrosive soil conditions.

Materials

Distribution pipes are made of asbestos cement, cast iron, ductile iron, plastic, reinforced concrete, or steel. Although not as strong as iron, asbestos cement, because of its corrosion resistance and ease of installation, is a desirable material for secondary feeders up to 41 cm (16 inches) in diameter. Pipe sections are easily joined with a coupling sleeve and rubber-ring gasket. Cast iron has an excellent record of service, with many installations still functioning after 100 years. Ductile iron, a stronger and more elastic type of cast iron, is used in newer installations. Iron pipes are provided in diameters up to 122 cm (48 inches) and are usually coated to prevent corrosion.

Underground sections are connected with bell-and-spigot joints, the spigot end of one pipe section being pushed into the bell end of an adjacent section. A rubber-ring gasket in the bell end is compressed when the two sections are joined, creating a watertight, flexible connection. Flanged and bolted joints are used for aboveground installations.

Plastic pipes are available in diameters up to 61 cm (24 inches). They are lightweight, easily installed, and corrosion-resistant, and their smoothness provides good hydraulic characteristics. Plastic pipes are connected either by a bell-and-spigot compression-type joint or by threaded screw couplings.

Precast reinforced concrete pipe sections up to 366 cm (12 feet) in diameter are used for arterial mains. Reinforced concrete pipes are strong and durable. They are joined using a bell-and-spigot-type connection that is sealed with cement mortar. Steel pipe is sometimes used for arterial mains in aboveground installations. It is very strong and lighter than concrete pipe, but it must be protected against corrosion with lining of the interior and with painting and wrapping of the exterior. Sections of steel pipe are joined by welding or with mechanical coupling devices.

Fittings

In order to function properly, a water distribution system requires several types of fittings, including hydrants, shutoff valves, and other appurtenances. The main purpose of hydrants is to provide water for firefighting. They also are used for flushing water mains, pressure testing, water sampling, and washing debris off public streets.

Many types of valves are used to control the quantity and direction of water flow. Gate valves are usually installed throughout the pipe network. They allow sections to be shut off and isolated during the repair of broken mains, pumps, or hydrants. A type of valve commonly used for throttling and controlling the rate of flow is the butterfly valve. Other valves used in water distribution systems include pressure-reducing valves, check valves, and air-release valves.

Installation

Water mains must be placed roughly 1 to 2 metres (3 to 6 feet) below the ground surface in order to protect against traffic loads and to prevent freezing. Since the water in a distribution system is under pressure, pipelines can follow the shape of the land, uphill as well as downhill. They must be installed with proper bedding and backfill. Compaction of soil layers under the pipe (bedding) as well as above the pipe (backfill) is necessary to provide proper support. A water main should never be installed in the same trench with a sewer line. Where the two must cross, the water main should be placed above the sewer line.

Pumps

Many kinds of pumps are used in distribution systems. Pumps that lift surface water and move it to a nearby treatment plant are called low-lift pumps. These move large volumes of water at relatively low discharge pressures. Pumps that discharge treated water into arterial mains are called high-lift pumps. These operate under higher pressures. Pumps that increase the pressure within the distribution system or raise water into an elevated storage tank are called booster pumps. Well pumps lift water from underground and discharge it directly into a distribution system.

Most water distribution pumps are of the centrifugal type, in which a rapidly rotating impeller adds energy to the water and raises the pressure inside the pump casing. The flow rate through a centrifugal pump depends on the pressure against which it operates. The higher the pressure, the lower the flow or discharge. Another kind of pump is the positive-displacement type. This pump delivers a fixed quantity of water with each cycle of a piston or rotor. The water is literally pushed or displaced from the pump casing. The flow capacity of a positive-displacement pump is unaffected by the pressure of the system in which it operates.

Storage tanks

Distribution storage tanks, familiar sights in many communities, serve two basic purposes: equalizing storage and emergency storage. Equalizing storage is the volume of water needed to satisfy peak hourly demands in the community. During the late night and very early morning hours, when water demand is lower, high-lift pumps fill the tank. During the day, when water demand is higher, water flows out of the tank to help satisfy the peak hourly water needs. This allows for a uniform flow rate at the treatment plant and pumping station. Water in a distribution storage tank may also be needed for fighting fires, cleaning up accidental spills of hazardous materials, or other community emergencies. The capacity of a distribution storage tank is designed to be about equal to the average daily water demand of the community.

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Distribution storage tanks are built at ground level on hilltops higher than the service area. In areas with flat topography, the tanks may be elevated aboveground on towers in order to provide adequate water pressures, or ground-level storage tanks with booster pumping may be provided.

 

Be Safe – Think Ahead

At PPS, we value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price only products.  Though we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors. When in a disaster situation, a city, county, state, or government needs to consider all options.

As such, we guide our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it earthquake, flood, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

By
June 14, 2022
fire hose lying on the dark asphalt
07Jun
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

Why The Layflat Hose Needs To Be Part Of Your Plan For Emergency Flood Services

A plan for emergency flood services needs to include Layflat hose because of how dependable and easily customizable the hose can be.

 

When it comes to a flood or water damage emergency in your town or city – minute counts.

Moving Floodwater Quickly And Efficiently For Everyone’s Safety

If floodwater gets inside of your area’s homes, businesses, or even infrastructure – and is not dealt with quickly –  you run the risk of sickness, water damage, mold, and irreparable destruction to anything that stands in its way.

What’s more is that flooded zones can quickly become unsafe for human exposure. Consider that dangerous bacteria begin to multiply in wet environments – in addition to the mold and rot that could come about as well.

In reality, all it takes is just a mere few inches of water to wreak havoc on your homes, offices, retail and industry settings.

So you need a quick and easy solution to move the water away from your vital operations, and you need to bring in new water for drinking and consumer use.

 

A Quick, Easy, And Customizable Solution For All Wastewater Or Floodwater Emergencies

Using the Portable Pipeline Systems Layflat Hose with an emergency trailer is your ideal solution. Our Layflat Hose can easily and quickly move wastewater from one point to another – especially as it relates to defending critical buildings and infrastructure like hospitals, commercial or industrial real estate, residential areas, or even busy intersections.

The solution is quick and easy because our hose can be cut to size right on site, and can adapt to any unique situation your spill presents. No more fitting, no more pipe connecting, or headaches involved with digging in the affected areas. Portable Pipeline Systems Layflat Hose offers the most quick above the ground solution for your crew out in the field who need efficiency and dependability.

What Does An Above The Ground Water Transportation System Do?

Above the ground, water transportation systems are both pipe by-passing and water removal solutions. They are commonly used in areas with severe flooding to remove water quickly and efficiently, so they should have no problem dealing with a water main break.

More important is their ability to completely supplement the water main to ensure no service loss during repairs.  These systems can come with their own trailers and have solutions for crossing roads and pavements.

Cities and towns rely on them because they are flexible tools to efficiently deal with any scenario, which can be critical in a high-pressure situation such as this.

 

Can The Layflat Hose Do Everything I Need?

A lay flat hose pipe can transport a high volume of water quickly, efficiently, and without error so that you can focus on solving the issue at hand. Layflat hoses are limited in some needs, but they provide a wide range of options as a critical tool out in the field, where things rarely go as imagined. When it comes to disasters or water main breaks, you’ll need any resource available to fix your problem.

In a flood, it is also better for first responders to utilize an above-ground water transportation system, as it is safer and more effective. Most people do not realize how dangerous a flooded area can be so they will continue with their day as if nothing was threatening their daily lives.  So our customers need to limit their liability as quickly as possible. Giving first responders the chance to quickly succeed with the proper tools is far more effective than, say, sending people in with buckets. They need the right materials, which work on command, and can be outfitted to any job.

Our hoses and wastewater assemblies, such as the Ultraman Hose, are excellent options for wastewater, flood management, agricultural, and mining. It can Transfer large volumes of liquid at higher-than-normal working pressures, lightweight and easy to deploy. It is made of high quality materials which give premium ultimate abrasion and puncture resistance.

 

Be Safe – Think Ahead

At PPS, we value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price only products.  Though we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors. When in a disaster situation, a city, county, state, or government needs to consider all options.

As such, we guide our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it earthquake, flood, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

By
June 7, 2022
Emergency workers placing warning signs on flooded road
07Jun
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

Top 5 Flood Solutions To Protect The Most Important Investment In Your Life: Your Home

Flood risks will never be completely eliminated from homeownership but you do have some effective solutions to help mitigate potential problems.

Irrespective of your situation – whether it’s residential, commercial, farm, or industrial – there are essentially only two ways to combat flooding: prevention or protection.

Preventing floods is a very BIG topic which includes a massive effort in urban planning, proper sea-wall construction, and revising the current standards of home construction. Even if, however, every structure was still designed and built strictly to code (which we know is not happening) or every existing structure was leveled and rebuilt strictly to modern code (which we know is DEFINITELY not going to happen) prevention is only going to take us so far. Floodwater gets everywhere when it strikes.

When we think ahead, we also have to plan for not only prevention but also how to PROTECT us from floods when we know they are going to occur.  What’s the difference, right? Protection is more like temporary solutions surrounding your property – as opposed to permanent solutions built into your use. For instance, sandbags, or temporary flood barriers, are a perfect example of flood protection. As such, let’s examine the top 5 flood solutions for homeowners and business owners alike.

 

 1. The rapid response water-gate

Sandbags serve the task of protection in many scenarios, and it’s a great solution! But they often require a significant amount of preparation and set-up.  Not only that, let’s be honest, the can be a real pain to transport or move around once the flooding has stopped and ebbed.

The Rapid Response Water-Gate can be an extremely useful alternative to sandbags.

The easily deployable device is made of a PVC materia and tt utilizes the pressure of oncoming water to stabilize itself. In other words, the floodwaters push up against the gate and the force builds its own dam.

Because the device is super lightweight it can be deployed by a single person in a matter of minutes to hours depending upon the size. Not only that, it’s also completely reusable, so it’s a great option for those living in a region at risk of flooding.

 

2. Aquobex flood guard

This is  a small-scale dam that is designed to seal off doorways and entrances to buildings.

By creating a seal with the surrounding surfaces, water cannot enter the structure when these barriers are applied to all of the building’s entryways.

The barrier is completely reusable and can be quickly deployed in times of emergency.

 

3. Cisterns and rain barrels

Cisterns and rain barrels both act to capture and store stormwater runoff from roofs.

The difference between the two is that cisterns are larger, they can store runoff from larger roof areas, and they can be buried whereas rain barrels remain above ground.

Besides stormwater management, these structures save water that can be reused for irrigation and other non-potable uses.

Rain barrels typically retain around 50 gallons of water and cisterns retain between hundreds to thousands of gallons of water. Rain barrels cost between $90 and $140 and cisterns cost up to $1000.

In fact, some areas offer rebate programs for rain barrels and cisterns so be sure to check your local government site to see if you qualify.

 

4. Apply sealants or coatings to your home’s foundation and basement walls.

This seems fairly obvious, but it always goes overlooked when a flood is coming.

You don’t even need a contractor to seal the cracks. You can do it yourself!

We all know that even a little water getting into your home can cause mold damage and water damage to your belongings. It may not seem like a lot, but seal up those little cracks. Seal any cracks and gaps where water could seep into your home’s foundation. Also, coat the walls in your basement with a waterproofing compound to keep water from seeping through.

 

5. WIPP: Water Inflated Property Protector

The water inflated property protector is one of the most basic flood protection systems, and the good news is that it works.

This system is made up of connectable vinyl-coated polyester bags which hold large amounts of water and serve as temporary dams.

By fighting the floodwaters with more water, the heavy barrier system is a quick and effective way to stop floodwater ingress from a structure in much the same manner that sandbags work.  But there is far less back breaking work because once you’re done with the Protector, all you have to do is empty the vinyl bags, roll them up, and carry them off!

 

Be Safe – Think Ahead

At PPS, we value preparation, trust, and integrity with our clients. We provide systems and solutions, not price only products.  Though we do not claim to have every solution for every disaster, we encourage clients to be open about their solutions and include all possible vendors. When in a disaster situation, a city, county, state, or government needs to consider all options.

As such, we guide our clients to prepare in advance for the worst, be it earthquake, flood, fires, or just an aging infrastructure.

By
June 7, 2022
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