Company NewsJanuary 2012 Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc. and Northeast Environmental Processing are featured on the North East Biosolids & Residuals Association (NEBRA) website! NEBRA has recognized us for our commitment to taking difficult wastes and processing them for beneficial reuse. Despite the challenges of that mission, we continue to do all we can to advance treatment options and protect our environment.
Dealing With Particularly Challenging Wastes - Northeast Environmental It has not been easy for Service Pumping and Drain
and its Northeast Environmental Processing wastewater treatment
facility in Lawrence, MA. They are currently in the business of dealing
with some of the most challenging - and odorous - liquid wastes,
including brown grease. Started in 1927, Service Pumping and Drain was
bought by current President Richard Mottolo in 1972. Among its
customers are more than 4 00
restaurants in the greater Boston area. The grease from these clients
and other liquid wastes - 25,000 gallons a day - are processed at the
wastewater facility, which separates fats, oils, and grease and prepares
dewatered solids that can be composted, anaerobically digested, or
incinerated. Because
brown grease and similar liquid wastes are challenging to handle and
can generate significant odors, Northeast Environmental has had its
run-ins with neighbors and Massachusetts DEP. And the regulatory
hurdles have been great - including an enforcement action in 2007 that
eventually led to addressing confusion about how grease trap wastes
should be regulated. But
this company continues, finding cost-effective solutions for wastes
that mostly elude attention - to the detriment of sewers and municipal
wastewater treatment facilities. Fats, oils, and grease (FOG)
are the culprit for most sewer pipe blockages and sewer overflows.
Throughout the country, states and municipalities are beginning to be
more proactive in diverting FOG from sewers. Connecticut has been
particularly agressive in regulating grease traps and FOG.
Massachusetts is not as far along. Part of the challenge is having
facilities operating that can take in and properly manage these wastes.
What Northeast Environmental is doing is critical infrastructure for
addressing the issue of FOG. And the company is not only creating a
disposal option, it is focused on finding ways to put the material to
beneficial uses. But
because of the location of Northeast Environmental's wastwater facility
- in downtown Lawrence - and its odor potential and regulatory issues,
the permitting process has been challenging. Getting the treatment
facility going has been "a lot of work, a lot of money, and a lot of
time," says Dick Mottolo. Requirements included an air quality permit
and a beneficial use determination for the products coming out of the
facility. The facility is enclosed, with negative air pressure and treatment of process air through carbon filters and two roll-off biofilters. It has a degritting operation. It separates FOG
with a cold decant process and is currently sending some to a digester
near Bangor, Maine, where it increases biogas production. Some of the
dewatered solids go to composting; others to incineration or
landfilling. Some free oil is recovered; it can be converted to #6 fuel
oil. "We've had a lot of people come through with grandiose plans to make biodiesel… but when the grant money is gone, they’re gone," says Mottolo. So, Northeast Environmental just continues to do all it can to advance FOG management options.
Check us out on facebook!
Visit our new facebook page at www.facebook.com/servicepumpingdrain for helpful tips and special deals! We're excited to be getting involved with social media, which gives us the chance to interact with our customers, answer more questions, and bring more information to them then ever before. Here are a few things you'll find on our page:
FAQs:
"I had my tank pumped out last week. How is it possible for it to be full already?" Not only is it possible, it's necessary. Septic tanks have a proper operating level, which the tank regains not long after pumping, and are designed to operate full for proper separation of water and solids.
"Is there anything I can put in my tank to avoid pumping?" No. Some of the material in the tank is not biodegradable. This material must be pumped out.
"My system backed up recently for the first time in many years, but I haven't traditionally had any problems with it. Why should I start maintaining it regularly now?" Even though the backup may have been caused by broken pipes, tree roots intruding into your lines, or some other obstruction, it is also possible that this backup is the first sign of system failure. Don't ignore the problem! Work with us to make sure the cause is identified and that the system is properly taken care of going forward.
Tips for a healthy septic system:
Don't overload your septic system. Conserve water by doing only full laundry and dishwasher loads. Don't do several loads of laundry in a row - give your system time to rest.
Bacteria must be present in the septic tank to break down and digest the organic solids. Normal household waste provides enough bacteria to digest the solids UNLESS any harm is done to the bacteria. Bacteria are very sensitive to environmental changes. Check the labels of products you normally use in your home. Products carrying harsh warnings like "Harmful or fatal if swallowed" will harm bacteria.
A septic system should last a very long time if properly designed, installed, and maintained, but neglected systems WILL FAIL. Maintaining the septic system is one of the best ways to protect your family's health and the investment you have in your home. Would you drive your car 100,000 miles without an oil change? Remember that your septic system needs regular maintenance, too!
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