Hydro Action AP Series, Operation & Maintenance Manual

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HOME AEROBIC SYSTEM
DO
’s AND
DON
’T
s
from
Small Flows, Fall, 1999
Volume 13, No. 4
DO:
1. Maintain the contract service arrangement
offered by the manufacturer after the initial two-
year period has expired (unless your community
offers its own management program). It is
extremely important that aerobic systems
receive regular maintenance at least every three
months or six months at the maximum.
2. Keep your system accessible for inspections
and pumping yet protected from unauthorized
entrance. If access to your system is locked,
make sure that you keep a key and that your
service contractor has a key.
3. Call a service professional whenever you
experience problems with your system,
whenever the alarm is activated, or whenever
there are any signs of system failure.
4. Keep detailed records about your aerobic
system, including a map of where it is, general
information such as model name, capacity, state
license, date installed, contract service
agreement, records of service visits, and
maintenance performed.
5. Conserve water to avoid overloading the
system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or
toilets.
6. Divert other sources of water, like roof drains,
house footing drains, and sump pumps away
from the aerobic system.
7. Become familiar with how your own particular
system operates and the way it looks, sounds,
and smells when it is working correctly. This
way, you may be able to identify problems
before they become serious and alert your
service provider to anything unusual.
8. Be sure to ask your service provider questions
about how to know if your unit is malfunctioning.
9. Check to see if your unit is working properly
after a power outage.
DON’T:
1.
Don’t allow anyone to drive or park over any part
of the system.
2.
Don’t make or allow unauthorized repairs to your
aerobic system without obtaining the required
health department permits.
3.
Don’t use your toilet as a trash can or poison
your treatment system and the groundwater by
pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down
the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial
bacteria present in the system that treat your
wastewater.
4.
Don’t use a garbage disposal without checking
with your local regulatory agency to make sure
that your aerobic system can accommodate this
additional waste. If you must use a garbage
disposal, the system should be sized
appropriately to accommodate the additional
waste.
5.
Don’t attempt to clean or perform maintenance
on any part of the aerobic system.
DO NOT FLUSH:
• coffee grounds;
• dental floss;
• disposable diapers;
• kitty litter;
• sanitary napkins;
• tampons;
• cigarette butts;
• condoms;
• gauze bandages;
• fats, greases, or oils;
• paper towels; and
• panty hose.
NEVER FLUSH CHEMICALS SUCH AS:
• paints,
• varnishes,
• thinners,
• photographic solutions,
• pesticides, and
• drain cleaners