CICEET Progress Report for the period 9/16/05 Through 3/15/06
Project Title: Evaluation of Leachfield Aeration Technology for Improvement of Water Quality and Hydraulic Functions in Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
Principal Investigator(s): Jose A. Amador, Professor, Univ. of Rhode Island
Additional Investigator(s): David A. Potts President, Geomatrix, LLC, Killingworth, CT; Josef H. Gorres Associate Research Professor, Univ. of Rhode Island; George W. Loomis Research & Extension Soil Scientist, Univ. of Rhode Island; David Kalen Research Associate III, Univ. of Rhode Island; Erika L. Nicosia Research Assistant, Univ. of Rhode Island
Project Start Date: 1 September 2004
Project Objectives for This Reporting Period
Objectives
Objective A: Final field site selection
Objective B: Permitting
Objective C: Site instrumentation
Objective D: Pre-aeration data collection
Tasks to meet objectives
Objective A: Final field site selection
Sept. 2005: The PIs agreed on a final list of 8 field sites all group homes administered by the Rhode Island Dept. of Mental Health, Retardation, and Hospitals (MHRH) following site visits in mid September. Although the technology will be evaluated on 6 sites, the additional sites provided alternatives if unanticipated problems were encountered during installation of water sampling and/or aeration equipment. .
Objective B: Permitting
Oct. 2005 Jan. 2006: David Kalen (URI) drew up the plans and completed the associated applications to obtain permits from the Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management (RIDEM) to proceed with the installation of SoilAir systems in all 8 of the field sites. In order to submit the permit applications, Mr. Kalen obtained the necessary RIDEM Class I Designer license. Permit applications were submitted on 22 December 2005, and the permits approved on 25 January 2006.
Objective C: Site instrumentation
Feb. Mar. 2006: A water sampling plan was finalized by the PIs, and URI and Geomatrix personnel using Geomatrix equipment instrumented 6 field sites with suction lysimeters and monitoring wells. In addition, equipment was installed for sampling of septic tank effluent.
Objective D: Pre-aeration data collection
Mar. 2006: Collection of wastewater and water samples (suction lysimeters and wells) was initiated on 9 March 2006.
Progress on Tasks
All of the tasks necessary to commence monitoring of water quality parameters prior to bringing the SoilAir systems online have been completed and water quality monitoring is underway.
Difficulties
The process of drawing the plans and acquiring the required permits for installation of the test systems took longer than anticipated. This, along with the normal scheduling conflicts and weather delays have resulted in the field phase of the project being approximately two months behind schedule.
Project Objectives for Next Reporting Period
Objectives
Objective A: Pre-aeration data collection
Objective B: Installation of SoilAir Systems
Objective C: Evaluation of effects of aeration on hydraulic function and water quality
Work Plan for Next Reporting Period
Mar. - May 06: Pre-aeration water quality data collection
May 06: Installation of SoilAir systems
May/June 06: Leachfield aeration commences
June 06-Mar. 07: Monitoring of effects of aeration on leachfield water quality and hydraulic function
Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives
Aside from the normal delays caused by weather and scheduling conflicts, we anticipate no problems in meeting the project objectives listed above.
Overall Project Timeline Update
We are approximately 2 months behind schedule in the field phase of the project. We requested a 6-month, no-cost extension to complete the project, which was granted pending final approval by NOAA.
Preliminary Data
No preliminary data on the field phase of the project are currently available.
Dissemination
Publications:
Amador, J. A., D. A. Potts, E. L. Nicosia, and J. H. Gorres. 2005. Aeration to improve the water quality and hydraulic functions of septic system leachfields. Proceedings of the 13th Northwest On-Site Wastewater Treatment Short Course and Equipment Exhibition, Seattle, WA.
Amador, J. A., D. A. Potts, M. C. Savin, P. Tomlinson, J. H. Görres, and E. L. Nicosia. 2006. Mesocosm-scale evaluation of faunal and microbial communities of aerated and conventional septic system leachfield soils. Journal of Environmental Quality (In press).
Workshops: None
Conferences:
September 05: Amador (URI) gave an invited presentation entitled "Aeration to improve the water quality and hydraulic functions of septic system leachfields" at the 13th Northwest On-Site Wastewater Treatment Short Course and Equipment Exhibition, hosted by the Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA.
October 05: Potts (Geomatrix) gave an invited presentation on "Leachfield aeration for advanced treatment of domestic wastewater" at the 14th Annual Technical Education Conference and Exposition of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association in Cleveland, OH.
Manuals, Protocols: None
Outreach Activities:
8 Feb. & 8 Mar. 06: OWT 105 - Innovative & Advanced Technology Overview Course. Led by Loomis and Kalen and attended by 61 professionals. The SoilAir technology was introduced in both of these courses as an experimental system.
Contact with End Users:
We have been in frequent contact with the End User in the process of obtaining the permits necessary to install the SoilAir systems at our field sites.
Patent, Copyright, Invention Disclosure Activity: None
Expenditures
Expenditures are lower than anticipated as a result of the delay in starting the field phase of the project.
End User Feedback
Name: Brian M. Moore
Organization: RIDEM
Location: 235 Promenade Street, Providence, R.I. 02908
Phone numberL401-222-4700 ext 7713
E-mail: brian.moore@dem.ri.gov
1) At this stage, what are the potential applications for this research? Please discuss how you and others could potentially use the technology.
Renovation of existing failed drainfields with minimal site disturbance.
2) What, if anything, has changed about this project's potential applicability since the last reporting period (not applicable to the first Progress Report)?
No change.
3) Do you see any key challenges that the researchers may want to address or keep in mind?
No. Basic installation issues such as weather and siting constraints.
4) Does this report offer you enough information to adequately address the above questions?
Yes.
5) Other feedback?
Not at this time.