Maintenance of your system should be performed every six (6) months:
1.1: Each site should be inspected and serviced by following these simple instructions. As each site may have differences due to selected disposal options, inspect each site facility to determine which options are present then proceed with the following instructions.
1.1.1: Upon arrival at the site, remove the tamper-resistant screws from the Hydro-Action® plant access cover and the Platform Mounted OPS® or Remotely Located OPS® enclosure. Then remove the access cover and enclosure. Set the security screws and covers in a protected place for later reassembly.
1.1.2: Collect an activated sludge sample from the aeration compartment. The sample size should be approximately one quart. Collect the sample as soon as possible; you can perform other work while the solids are settling and thereby reduce your inspection time at the site. Use this sample to run the sludge volume test (15 minutes settable solids ml/L test). To perform this test a one-liter graduated cylinder or any tall, straight-sided, clear glass container, about one-quart in capacity, will be needed. Divide the container into 10 equal parts using a waterproof marker, thus signifying 0 to 100%.
1.1.3: As turbulence in the aeration compartment caused by the rising fine air bubbles can be seen, observe any significant changes in mixing and aeration characteristics. If insufficient mixing or poor aeration is observed, refer to Section 1.1.4a. Both diffuser assemblies should appear to have equal turbulence. This is an indication of proper diffuser assembly and diffuser operation.
1.1.4: Proper aeration in the Hydro-Action® AP-Series is maintained by performing the following maintenance operations:
Note: Whenever replacing the Hydro-Action® diffuser stones, replace all stones—not just a few. Replacement parts can be obtained from Hydro-Action®.
1.1.5: To replace air diffuser stones, refer to Section 3.0.
1.1.6: Using a clean, clear sample bottle catch an effluent sample from the pump tank or other discharge point. Effluent should have a non-offensive odor and be clear in color. If results differ from these refer to section 4.0, Plant Troubleshooting Guide.
1.1.7: Check the surface of the clarification compartment for floating solid or scum buildup. If build-up is found, remove it using a small net with very fine mesh and dispose of off-site according to all federal, state, and local regulations. (Material may be returned to system upstream of plant through cleanout.) Using a garden hose, spray a high-pressure stream of water into clarifier, breaking up any remaining floating solids. Clean any over spray from the general area.
1.1.8: Activate liquid level alarm by raising and lowering float in clarifier to test both audible and visible alarms. Disrupt the air pressure by disconnecting the air pressure tubing from the electrical enclosure inside OPS® to test air pressure alarms. If any problem is experienced with alarm functions, make necessary adjustments, corrections, and/or repairs. If optional remote alarm has been installed, be sure that its audible and visual alarms are also working correctly.
1.1.9: The switch indicated “normal/silence” on OPS® models 50-11, 20, -30 & -32 is used to test the alarms, silence an alarm condition, or is left in the normal on position. The normal position of the mode is for normal operation of the plant and silence is a mode that will disrupt both the audible and visual alarm. Move the switch to the left and hold to test the alarms. The test switch will reset itself automatically. These alarms should always be tested before leaving the site to assure they are operational.
1.1.10: If optional effluent pump is included on system, activate pump float switch to assure effluent pump is operational; set and adjust timers as required (if installed).
1.1.11: Reinstall Hydro-Action® access covers being sure to install and tighten tamper-resistant screws to prevent unauthorized plant entry.
1.2: Each site visit requires an investigation of the solids inventory within the wastewater treatment plant and a determination of when excess solids need to be removed from the system. Follow these procedures in evaluating solids inventory:
1.3: Follow these procedures to pump the sludge solids from the treatment tanks. A qualified service technician should oversee the work performed.
1.3.1: Remove the plant access cover.
1.3.2: Refer to installation worksheet to determine which tanks and auxiliary equipment are included on this particular installation (i.e., pretreatment tank, surge tank, pump tank, access covers of different units). Remove pump tank access cover (if included). If necessary, use a shovel to dig down and expose the pretreatment tank access covers and remove them. Remove the clean-out adapter plug from the outlet tee fitting. The tanks are now ready to be pumped.
1.3.3: The suction hose should be positioned to be very near the bottom of the tanks. Care should be taken not to damage internal components. The plant and other tanks should be washed and cleaned while they are being pumped. The waste from the tanks should be disposed of in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
1.3.4: It is important that care is taken when pumping plant and any other tank to assure that hydraulic displacement of tanks (floating of tanks) does not occur. Tank flotation may occur whenever water and solids are removed from the tank when high groundwater conditions exist. Any source of water in the soil around the plant installation could cause the tank to float. Water sources may include rainfall, springs, creeks, bayous, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
Proper precautions are therefore required to prevent tank flotation due to hydraulic displacement.
These precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.3.5: Replace the pre-treat, plant access, and pump tank access cover (if included), being sure to reinstall and tighten the Hydro-Action® tamper-resistant screws to prevent unauthorized plant entry. Note: Plant and other tanks should be filled with water before leaving site.
1.4: Normal maintenance on the Hydro-Action® AP Series plant will include:
Every Six (6) Months:
Every Two (2) to Six (6) Years:
Note 1: The owner has been informed that replacement parts can be obtained from a Hydro-Action® Certified Dealer.
Note 2: Pumping the plant is usually necessary every two (2) to six (6) years; however, there is no set time because loadings vary from household to household. Access to the plant is accomplished through the access opening, which is at surface grade. When a Hydro-Action® plant is being pumped, a qualified service technician should oversee the job. Care should be taken not to damage internal components. The plant should be washed and cleaned while it is being pumped. The waste from the plant must be disposed of in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.
2.1: The Hydro-Action® AP Series Plant has been designed and built to provide efficient, dependable, and reliable service. However, as with any individual wastewater treatment plant, routine periodic service is required. When proper preventive maintenance is performed, the Hydro-Action® plant will operate at designed performance levels to give years of satisfactory treatment of domestic wastewater.
2.2: Local Hydro-Action® Dealers are required to perform all routine inspections for the first two (2) years from the original date of installation. At the time of inspection the plant will be checked for proper operation. If a problem exists, service will be performed at no charge to the owner, unless the required maintenance is not warranty related. At the end of the two (2) year initial service period, the local dealer will make available a continuing service policy. This extended service is available for a nominal fee.
2.3: The Hydro-Action® OPS® (Operations/Control Center) is equipped with an alarm beacon and an audible horn alarm. Also on the OPS® should be the name, address, and telephone number of the local servicing dealer. An optional remote alarm with audible and visual alarms may also be present. Should either alarm come on, the owner is instructed to call the local dealer. After a power failure, if an alarm remains on for more than 30 minutes the owner is instructed to call the local dealer immediately. To silence audible alarm while waiting for service technician to arrive, owner should locate the switch on outside face of the OPS® enclosure labeled “normal/silence” and push it to the “silence” (right) position. Visual alarm beacon will remain illuminated.
2.4: The Hydro-Action® AP-Series Plant will handle all domestic wastewater. The term domestic wastewater refers to rapidly biodegradable material. To keep maintenance at a minimum and to prevent the plant from malfunctioning, the following guidelines need to be followed:
Hydro-Action® Dealers & Certified Technicians are asked to inform homeowner of these guidelines. Too often a malfunctioning treatment unit is due to abuse that can be avoided with simple education.
2.5: Other than for the mechanical and structural working of the plant itself, Hydro-Action® is not responsible for the in-field operation of a plant. The proper operation of this or any other individual wastewater plant depends upon proper organic and hydraulic loading of the plant. We cannot control the loading and thereby control the amount of harmful substances that may be discharged into the plant. Only the users of a plant can control what enters the unit. Therefore, we provide a comprehensive owner’s manual that outlines substances that should be kept out of the plant.
2.6: The Hydro-Action® AP-Series must be installed and maintained according to factory specifications. No modifications of equipment or design are allowed. Modification of the plant will void warranty and invalidate NSF certification of plant.
2.7: OPS® models 50-30 or 50-32 include a timer, which may need to be reset. The 50-30 is a 24-hour time clock incremental settings. See the Technical Manual section of timers in Appendix 3.
3.1: With plant access cover removed, reach in and disconnect the flexible airline hoses from retainer clamps. Then remove diffuser assemblies through the plant access opening.
3.2: Disconnect and remove diffuser assemblies from the flexible airline hoses. Remove diffuser assembly locknuts, gaskets, and diffuser stones. Now wash and clean all diffuser assembly components. Discard original diffuser stones and replace with new ones. Reassemble and reconnect the diffuser assemblies in reverse order, lubricating all gaskets and making sure all gaskets and check valves are in the proper place and in good condition before tightening.
3.3: Reattach the diffuser assemblies to flexible airline hoses and reattach flexible airline hoses to retainer clamps. Replace diffuser assemblies into Hydro-Action® plant by lowering the diffuser assemblies with attached anchor to the bottom of aeration tank.
Note 1: Securely tighten all connections by hand being sure not to over-tighten and not to push the gaskets out of the gasket seat areas. All connections must be properly sealed to assure trouble-free diffuser operation.
Note 2: Diffuser stones are to be replaced whenever the pressure reading at the schrader valve on the discharge side of the air pump equals or exceeds a reading of 3.5 psig on AP Series.
4.1: The Hydro-Action® AP Series plant has proven to be very effective and reliable in the treatment of domestic wastewater. The problems outlined here occur only in a very small percent of total installations.
They can all be corrected and most can be prevented.
4.2: When the owner/user calls, ask him or her to describe the problem in detail and determine the plant age and service history from your records. This information is then used in preparation for the service call.
4.3: First perform a routine service call as described in section 1.0, Plant Routine Inspection and Service Instructions.
4.4: If routine servicing does not solve the problem, go through the steps listed below.
4.5: Verify model number of plant and OPS® with those in records. If this is a new installation, you should verify that the plant and all its components were installed correctly and in accordance with manufacturers and regulatory agency requirements. See Hydro-Action® AP Series Installation Manual, available from Hydro-Action®.
4.5.1: Inspect plant to verify that the Hydro-Action® plant is installed properly and is not damaged. Plant should be level and internal components should be in proper place and correct working order.
4.5.2: Check to see that effluent disposal method is allowing for proper level to be maintained in plant. High level in plant can adversely affect performance.
4.6: After confirming that Hydro-Action® plant is installed properly and is not damaged, check the operational and maintenance conditions of the plant to determine if it is performing correctly. To do this run a sludge volume test as described in section 1.0. compare your findings with the conditions given in the Hydro-Action® Plant Condition Chart, section 4.12. Follow the recommended actions required to return the plant to its proper operating conditions.
4.7: The alarms supplied with this wastewater treatment plant provide the owner with a secure, reliable, dependable, and economical means of notification for most malfunctions of the plant that would lead to producing an unsatisfactory effluent. These alarms include notification for problems of air pump failure, aeration piping malfunctions, and high water level. These alarms need to be inspected and tested during each plant operation and maintenance site visit. If an optional remote alarm has been installed, it should also be inspected and tested during each site visit.
4.8: To gain access to the electrical controls and air pump, remove the security screws holding the OPS® enclosure to the base.
4.9: The switch indicated “normal/silence” on OPS® models 50-11, 20, -30, & -32 is used to test the alarms, silence an alarm condition, or is left in the normal on position. The normal position of the mode is for normal operation of the plant and silence is a mode that will disrupt the audible alarm. Move the switch to the left and hold to test the alarm. You should see and hear the visible and audible alarms when this mode is selected. The OPS® switch will reset itself automatically.
4.10: If the audible and visual alarms on the outside face of the Hydro-Action® OPS® enclosure are indicated the problem might be failure in power supply or air pump, or an electrical short in the line between electrical controls and air pump. See Appendix 5, Electrical Controls Schematics, for details of each model. See Appendix 2, Operation & Maintenance Technical Manual for Air Pumps for details on working with air pumps.
4.11: The AP-Series plant is equipped with a high-level float switch and alarm. If the system also includes a pump/holding tank to remove effluent, the Hydro-Action® electrical controls may include a second high-level alarm. If the owner reports high-level alarm light on, service technician should be sent to correct the problem. A malfunctioning water pump or level float or a plugged discharge could cause the high level conditions. A malfunctioning high-level sensor float could give a false high-level alarm. This problem left uncorrected will lead to system failure and improper wastewater treatment and therefore requires immediate attention.