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Commercial Systems
The wastewate
r system is a critical component on which your business success
u
ltimately depends. Proper use, care and maintenance will ensure its longevity.
Variability:
It is critical to remember that in any commercial system, uses change, flow
pattern
s shift, traffic fluctuates seasonally and also as a business becomes more
p
opular. New employees, new fixtures, even new cleaning products can cause
system cha
nges and fluctuations.
The design calculations for your system are merely a jumping off point based
educated guesses. This is w
changes and pr
event problems "as you go" instead of waiting until there is an
obvious problem
and then trying to fix it – by which time it may be considerably
complex and costly compared to preventative actions not taken.
O&M Requirements for Commercial Systems:
C
ommercial septic systems should be checked yearly at a minimum by a
qualified O&M provider who can analyze flows and sample waste strength. Food-
prep operations with grease traps may need to be checked more frequently.
The long-term functioning of a commercial system requires pro-active O&M. In
addition to the specific guidance outlined in this manual regarding your system
components, proper O&M of a commercial system includes tracking:
• Solids Accumulation in grease traps, septic & pump tanks, etc. and
pumping at the appropriate frequency.
• Waste-Strength (BOD5, FOG) to ensure appropriate levels are being met.
Conduct annual sampling and lab testing to ensure waste strength is being
met. If it is consistently high, you may have to expand the system.
• Water Use – immediately address any flows exceeding 60-70% of designed
capacity. Running at capacity all the time will overload your system.
• System Data (alarms, problems, maintenance, etc.) and keeping a log.
• Mechanical Operation of system components to ensure proper function.
• Employee Behavior – habits and products put into the system – to ensure
optimal conditions (i.e. scraping food into trash bins instead of washing down
drains, using minimal amounts of abrasive chemicals for cleaning so as not to
inhibit biological growth in system components, etc.).
Fight The Flow
High flows are a major problem with many commercial systems. Understand that
your 'design' flow is a maximum. If you ask your system to do the 'max' every
hy ongoing system O&M is critical to diagnose
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