A septic tank is a holding tank for sewage that may comprise either a single or double chamber. Effluent from this tank then enters a soak away or leach field where treatment occurs.

Wastewater enters the septic tank and is allowed to separate into three distinct layers usually over a period of two days: Scum - floatable solids, fats, oils & grease Sludge – heavy (settleable) solids Effluent - liquid wastewater found between the scum and sludge layers and which is relatively free of solids.

Anaerobic bacteria present partially decompose the sludge and reduce the volume of solids within the septic tank. However, sludge eventually builds up and this has to be pumped out.

Generally, our septic tanks should be pumped every 4 years based on maximum occupancy. However, depending on the water usage and the amount of waste entering the system, this may vary.

Choosing a larger tank than is necessary can also decrease the frequency of pump outs. Inspection of the tank should take place every 12 -18 months to determine the depth of both the scum and sludge (should not exceed 0.5 meters).

Our septic tanks carry a 10 year limited warranty against manufacturer’s defects. This warranty may become void if the tank is not used in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

Currently two types of septic tanks are manufactured: Eco-Sphere and Rhino. The Eco-Sphere septic tanks are spherical and come in two sizes (500 & 800 gallons). These septic tanks have a single compartment and an effluent filter, which is located on the outlet.

The Rhino septic tanks are rectangular in shape and come in three sizes (600, 750 & 1500 gallons). These have a double compartment separated by an internal baffle wall. Only the 600-gallon Rhino tank has an effluent filter on the outlet.

A soakaway is a drainage pit filled with stones that diverts water into the surrounding soil. Septic tank effluent enters the pit and is temporarily stored until it gradually infiltrates into the sidewall soil.

One of the first things to consider when choosing a site for a soakaway is the water table. It is not uncommon for the water table to rise during the wet season and to fall during the dry season. In waterlogged sites, it is often found that the water table is exceptionally high (i.e., near the surface). Clay soils are also unsuitable for soakaways since they become waterlogged quickly. In instances mentioned previously, a soakaway is just not going to work, therefore alternative dispersal systems are necessary e.g. digesters.

A digester is a secondary treatment unit that treats effluent from the septic tank. Bacteria naturally reduce the sludge volume during the digestion process and may either require the use of oxygen (aerobic digestion) or not (anaerobic digestion).

The most obvious results of this treatment include odor & color elimination. This tank can be used as an alternative where soakaways are not an option and the effluent can be discharged into a rubble drain for final treatment.

Anaerobic digesters utilize bacteria that decompose biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. This usually occurs in a sealed tank, which prevents gaseous oxygen from entering the tanks. Over a period of time, solids reduction is achieved and the effluent is directed into the soil for final treatment. The anaerobic process is simple and less energy intensive.

Aerobic Treatment Units are small-scale sewage treatment units that use oxygen for the digestion process to occur. This is usually in the form of aeration via air pumps along with the associating diffusers to inject and circulate air inside the tank.

Electricity is therefore required for operation. Effluent from this unit is of a high quality and can be directed into a chlorinator, UV light or the soil.

Digesters are recommended for areas with a high water table and areas that are prone to flooding, since soakaways are likely to fail. They also enable development on difficult sites and can remedy existing malfunctioning systems.

While you get a limited warranty, once installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications and proper maintenance is undertaken, a septic tank can last up to 30 years.

Once the tank has not been installed or used, then minor damage up to 4 inches can be repaired via plastic welding. If the damage is significant then it is advisable to purchase a new septic tank.

We have various brochures on the installation procedure for each type of septic tank that state the dimensions of the hole to excavate as well as what material to use for backfill. Generally, 3/8” rounded gravel (pea gravel) is recommended. In areas with a high water table, the base should be cast in concrete to prevent the tank from shifting. The tank cover and effluent filter port should NEVER be covered with backfill, soil or concrete. This should always be easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

1. Non-Corrosive (unaffected by acid in the soil and internal gases created by sewage).
2. Lightweight and easier to handle/ install (No heavy equipment needed)
3. Does not crack or leak after installation
4. Can outlast concrete tanks and has estimated life span of up to 30 years.

A lift station is a chamber that contains a submersible pump and is usually installed below ground to transfer sewage effluent. Lift stations are necessary in situations where gravity flow cannot be achieved i.e. over long distances or above ground.

The air pump is an essential part of the Aerobic Digester/ Aerobic Treatment Unit. This is responsible for the elimination of odors and treatment of the effluent. The size air pump may vary depending on the number of persons who will be using the system.

A general inspection is recommended every 6 months for an aerobic system where the filter from the air pump is cleaned and the system is checked for damages. An annual servicing is mandatory and the same inspection as outlined before must be undertaken as well as servicing the air pump.

UV or ultraviolet light is an invisible electromagnetic radiation that can destroy microorganisms. A UV light usually consists of a UV lamp and a flow chamber through which water flows. As the water flows past the lamp, microorganisms are exposed to ultraviolet radiation and are destroyed. UV is safe and effective, achieving a kill rate of 99.99% for harmful bacteria & viruses.

A riser is an extension, threaded on both sides that screws onto the access opening of the septic tank. The septic tank cover can then be screwed onto this riser at the top. Risers are necessary where the septic tank cover is lower than the surrounding topsoil. This allows the cover to be easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

Greywater is all the wastewater from bathrooms, sinks and laundry. It does not include water from the toilet or kitchen sink due to the raw food particles present. Greywater can be directed into a septic tank however the tank size required will be a lot larger but other problems can arise:

• If a soil absorption system is being used (soakaway), the increased volume of water flowing through this system can overload the treatment capacity of the soil. This results in premature failing of the soakaway.
• If too many detergents and harsh cleaning chemicals enter the septic tank since these can kill the bacteria present. This is of particular concern in aerobic systems, which rely on naturally occurring bacteria to treat effluent.
• More wastewater means less retention time in the septic tank and less settling of solids, resulting in faster failure of drain fields /leach fields.

Water softener backwash contains high level of chlorides and kills microorganisms in the tank and also sedimentation of solids.

Undigested food particles take longer to break down and take longer to degrade. A garbage disposal unit increases the amount of solids in a septic tank by as much as 50%, resulting in frequent pumping out. If a garbage disposal unit is discharging into a septic tank, then the size of the septic tank has to be at least twice the original size.

Excessive fats, cooking oils and grease should not enter the septic tank. These should be trapped in a grease trap.

• Paints, solvents and motor oil.
• Fertilizer, pesticide, garden & harsh cleaning chemicals
• Diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms
• Plastics
• Enzymes or additives

Most “ plastic” tanks are manufactured of High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Linear low- density polyethylene (LLDPE) or Polypropylene. (PP).

Our tanks, from 55-1000 gallons are manufactured of LLDPE; larger tanks are manufactured of HDPE. Polyethylene is the most inert of polymers, thus, it is the most commonly used material for storing chemicals.

The FDA is the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. This agency is responsible for ensuring that products or packaging that are used to store products for human consumption is SAFE. ALL our material is FDA approved.
PLEASE NOTE: that FDA materials are more expensive than non- FDA material.

Tuff Gard is our registered trademark used to promote the fact that our tanks are manufactured using a two-part process. Our tanks are manufactured using an outer skin of black-pigmented polyethylene, while the inside of our tanks are lined with a natural (virgin) lining.

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) requires that water storage tanks meet this requirement. Many other manufacturers do not do this as the natural (FDA approved) material is 100% pure, it in no way contains any recycled materials, this manufacturing method costs more than using a single skin process, however, we go the extra mile to ensure that our customers are safe.

Tanks are manufactured using black-pigmented polyethylene to keep out and protect the product from harmful UV rays. If a tank were manufactured in natural material, within a few years small cracks would begin to appear on the outside of the tank, carbon black is the best inhibitor of UV damage.

Yes we do make coloured tanks; tanks are available in white, moss green and blue. Yes they cost a premium of 15 %, however, these tanks are made to order and will usually take 5 working days.

Yes we can make heavy-duty tanks. Tanks are available in medium duty (50%) more material, and heavy duty (100%) more material.

We manufacture heavy-duty tanks for the storage of diesel; it is recommended that a 100% heavy-duty tank be used. along with the tank a spill containment basin is also recommended. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS GASOLINE TO BE STORED IN A PE TANK!

CLOSED TOP, OPEN TOP, CONICAL BOTTOM

Our standard water tanks are referred to as Closed Topped tanks (CT), tanks from available in 200 to 4500 US Gallons

Open Top Tanks, these are tanks where the cover is the same diameter as the tank.

Conical Bottom Tanks are available in 70, 140 and 400-gallon sizes. Conical tanks are usually used in applications where complete drainage is required.

Yes we can, either by the production of a new mould or using the plastic welding process. Most of our custom tanks are for the storage of water and diesel on boats, however, we can offer a wide range of Fabricated tanks for various industries.

Cylindrical tanks are stronger by design than a square or flat-faced design. The strongest shapes are spheres (like our 500 septic), if we had to manufacture a 400-gallon square tank, we would require 3-4 times the weight of material to stop it from bulging.

We carry a range of fittings from ¾ inch right up to 4-inch fittings, regular & heavy-duty fittings.

We offer water level gauges, both mechanical (external clear hose) and a new type that is in testing, an electronic model.

We also offer various types of closures such as injection moulded screw type closures with and without vents in sizes ranging from 8 inches to 24 inches.

Our standard black water tanks have been know to last more than 20 years! However, this really depends on where the tank is located in relation to direct sunlight, tanks that are not fully exposed to Ultra violet light will out last tanks that are in direct sunlight.

Our Water tanks carry a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee. This means that we will repair or replace tanks that are defective through the fault of the MANUFACTURER ONLY.

Our guarantee does not cover defects or damage that occurs beyond our control such as, tanks that are badly installed and/or are used for applications that they were not designed for (transport of water, burial, chemical storage etc).

Yes we can and do. There is a limitation on the age of material that we can recycle, if a tank has been exposed to direct sunlight for more than 10 years (approximately), the material would have been severely damaged and weakened by the UV light. A manual inspection is usually required to determine if it can be recycled.

All our recycled materials is used for non-food applications, products such as septic tanks, garbage bins etc can used recycled resin.

We offer a service of retrieving “discarded” tanks; we have a social and environmental responsibility for the products we manufacture. We will pick up a tank any where on the island!

Tanks can be installed using a gravity flow or a pressure system that utilizing a water pump. (Please refer to diagrams) Gravity systems are usually those water tanks that you see on an elevated tank stand or above the rooftops of houses.

This system is cheaper to install than a pressure system, as no pump is required. However, the flow pressure is usually a lot less than a pressurized system. Along with less pressure, adequate water pressure from the mains is required to lift the water to the height of the elevated stand. For gravity to work, the tank must be situated above the highest outlet in the building i.e.: shower heads, faucets etc.

For pressurized systems (those that utilize a pump), it is important that the proper SIZE and TYPE of pump be used. Factors that need to be considered are:

• What height does the water have to be pumped to? I.E. is it a single or two/three story building? This is known as the head.
• How much water pressure is required?
• How many outlets are to be serviced by the pump?
• What volume of water is to be moved? (Gallons per minute)

Inspect the surface to ensure a smooth, level area that will supply full bottom support. A properly constructed concrete pad that is capable of supporting the contents of the tank is the best support.

Yes absolutely! And when they do run…. No they cannot explode any more than you will explode. The explosions that people hear in 100 % of the cases are caused by an IMPROPER installation! The loud explosion is usually the tank falling; remember a tank of 400 gallons weighs 4000 lbs, a lot of weight and water that comes crashing down.

In nine out of ten cases the tank is installed at an angle (there is a slight tilt to the installation) this causes a build up of stress on one side of the tank and it eventually buckles over and… a loud explosion.

Another common mistake is the placement of a tank on an uneven or not fully supporting base, such as bricks, or steel bars with wide spaces. The weight of the tank is eventually going to case a rupture and once again, the tank falls over and “ explodes”.

Regular above ground tanks cannot be buried. If they are the weight of the earth will make the walls collapse. We design and sell specialty tanks that are designed for burial.

1. Water pump with a smart head or pressure tank
2. Optional water filter
3. Stem and valve with float
4. If using a pressure tank a float switch is required
5. Miscellaneous PVC fittings such as unions, ball valves and a length of ¾ PVC pipe.

A mechanical device that is used to move water from one point to another. There are several different types of water pumps that are suitable for specific applications. A water pump is generally used when the pressure supplied by the municipal water supply is not adequate to give the desired pressure and volume of water.

There are several designs of pumps, however, generally pumps on the whole use a motor and an impeller to add energy in some form to the water, thus increasing the speed and or pressure of the water coming into the pump.

Different types of pumps are designed to highlight or improve on a particular performance feature that we may require, for instance: some pumps increase the pressure but not too much volume, where others increase volume significantly but not too much pressure.

We stock several types of domestic and industrial pumps. Domestic pumps are those that are generally used in homes, while industrial pumps are usually found in applications where much larger volumes and water pressure is required.

Industrial pumps are also defined by the size of the inlet and outlet; for example on larger municipal mains such as pipes that are larger than 2 inches in diameter. Mains in Trinidad can be up to 6 inches in diameter, while pipes used in domestic installations are usually ¾ inch Diameter.

Choosing the type and size of pump depends on several factors. Pump manufacturers supply charts that show the performance of the pump. The charts are usually graphical in nature and show the relationship between volumes (expressed in liters and galls) and head (height the water needs to be lifted to/ expressed in meters and feet).

1. How many faucets in the house
2. How many levels (storeys)
3. The number of people living in the house
4. Are you using the pump for external irrigation or gardening.

Generally we recommend a ½ HP Jet or ¾ HP centrifugal pump for a single storey home with (3) three bedrooms, and (2) two baths. If it’s a (2) two storey home a ¾ hp jet or 1 hp centrifugal pump can be used.

In the end it really depends on the volume of water as well as the BUDGET of the customer, for instance a ½ HP jet pump will provide the basic requirements for a home, where a 1 HP multistage pump will do the job, but with extra pressure and volume to spare, however, it costs more!

A pressure system requires a few basic components to perform adequately. Most systems require the following:

1. A pressure tank or electronic flow control
2. A pressure gauge and pressure switch
3. A float switch (not required if a electronic flow control is used is used)

A pressure tank in a water system is designed to have extra gallons of water on reserve (under pressure) so small demands don't require the pump to switch on and off. An example is turning on a faucet for a few seconds to get a glass of water. The larger the pressure tank the less infrequent the pump starts and stops.

Pressure tanks are available in fixed bladder and replaceable designs, fixed bladder type cannot be repaired if you have a defective bladder.
Please Note: If using a pressure tank with your pump a float switch is required to protect the pump from running dry and burning the motor.

It is an electronic devise that controls the start and stop of an electric pump. The smart head senses when there is a drop in pressure or when water stops flowing when you open and close a tap. If there is no water in the system the smart head also senses this and would not let the pump run dry, thus protecting the motor.
For this reason a float switch is not required.

PROS:
Protects the pump from running dry and burning the motor. Compact and easy to install.

CONS:
The pump cycles more than a system with a pressure tank.

A pressure gauge is a devise that indicates the amount of pressure that your pump is producing, its usually expressed as Lbs per square inch. A typical CAM 50 will produce about 30 lbs of pressure.

It is an electrical devise that is used to start and stop the pump. This switch operates by a set pressure, usually the switch is set to a specific pressure range; say 20 - 40 PSI, if the pressure drops below 20 PSI the pump automatically turns on, and if it goes above 40 PSI the pump is switched off.

We have pumps that will handle clean (potable) water, Salt water and Sewerage (Submersible sewerage pumps that can handle effluent with suspended particles).

No we do not, there special pumps for pumping gasoline and carbon based fuels.

The set pressure that the pump comes on at.

The check valve prevents the water stored in the pressure tank from going back to the pump, its actually a one way valve.

A pump that has more than one impeller, it can be a 2, 3,4 or even 5 stage pump. Multi stage pumps generally produce more volume and pressure, we Stock the ULTRA, which is a centrifugal Multi stage, pump with a stainless steel head.

As the name implies it’s actually a switch which “floats” in your water tank, this switch is connected to your pump and tells the pump when your tank is empty or full, it protects your pump by turning off the pump when there is no water in the tank.

Linear Air pumps are designed to continuously pump large volumes of air with low pressure. These pumps operate using an electromagnetic device, thus they are a totally different design than a water pump. Linear air pumps are used in applications that require a constant supply of air: Aeration for septic systems, fishponds, aquaculture etc.

Linear air pumps are designed to run for many years with very little maintenance, usually the air filter should be changed or cleaned every six months.

Linear pumps have the following characteristics:

• Clean oil less air
• Extremely quiet operation
• Long service life
• Low starting current and low power consumption