Tools of the TradeTools of the Trade

Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceTexas AgriLife Extension Service

Overview of PresentationOverview of Presentation

Several tools assist in providing operation, Several tools assist in providing operation, maintenance and monitoring of onsite maintenance and monitoring of onsite wastewater treatment systems.wastewater treatment systems.

Tools and equipment need to match Tools and equipment need to match service to be provided.service to be provided.

ToolsTools

An assortment of tools will assist in An assortment of tools will assist in conducting operation and maintenance conducting operation and maintenance service. A listing of potential items will be service. A listing of potential items will be presented with regard to testing and presented with regard to testing and diagnosis, manufacturer required specialty diagnosis, manufacturer required specialty tools, common hand tools, and cleanup tools, common hand tools, and cleanup equipment.equipment.

Testing and DiagnosisTesting and Diagnosis

Scum hookScum hook Measuring tapeMeasuring tape Dissolved oxygen meter Dissolved oxygen meter

or test kitor test kit pH meter or test kitpH meter or test kit ThermometerThermometer

Pressure/vacuum Pressure/vacuum gauge for air flowgauge for air flow

Chlorine DPD field test Chlorine DPD field test kit (Not a swimming kit (Not a swimming pool kit. It must be able pool kit. It must be able to measure down to 0.1 to measure down to 0.1 mg/L total chlorine)mg/L total chlorine)

Testing and Diagnosis ContinuedTesting and Diagnosis Continued

Graduated container for Graduated container for solids sampling testssolids sampling tests

Laboratory samplesLaboratory samples Sample containersSample containers Sample labelsSample labels Cooler to transport Cooler to transport

samplessamples

Profile probe – common Profile probe – common brand name products are brand name products are marketed as a Sludge marketed as a Sludge judge or a Dip Stickjudge or a Dip Stick

Float hookFloat hook Hand mirror for viewing Hand mirror for viewing

tank interiorstank interiors Timing device (watch or Timing device (watch or

stop watch)stop watch)

Manufacturer Required Specialty Manufacturer Required Specialty ToolsTools

The manufacturer may require certain The manufacturer may require certain tools that must be used to maintain their tools that must be used to maintain their system. If you are certified to maintain a system. If you are certified to maintain a proprietary device, please be familiar with proprietary device, please be familiar with all guidelines.all guidelines.

Common Hand ToolsCommon Hand Tools

ScrewdriversScrewdrivers Cordless drill and bit setCordless drill and bit set Shovel with insulated handlesShovel with insulated handles Specialized tools for safety Specialized tools for safety

screwsscrews

Cleanup EquipmentCleanup Equipment

Portable pumps (such as Portable pumps (such as a small utility sump a small utility sump pump)pump)

Small nylon broom with Small nylon broom with long handlelong handle

BroomBroom Open 5 gallon BucketsOpen 5 gallon Buckets Tarp for placing soil on, Tarp for placing soil on,

collecting debriscollecting debris

Plastic trash can for Plastic trash can for storing/collecting storing/collecting contaminated debriscontaminated debris

Spare trash bagsSpare trash bags Hose with backflow Hose with backflow

prevention device and prevention device and nozzlenozzle

Skimmer net for removing Skimmer net for removing floating solidsfloating solids

SuppliesSupplies An assortment of supplies will assist in conducting operation An assortment of supplies will assist in conducting operation

and maintenance service. A listing of potential supplies and maintenance service. A listing of potential supplies needed to perform the duties includes:needed to perform the duties includes:

Permit/as-built Permit/as-built plans/specsplans/specs

Clip board/O&M Clip board/O&M forms/pencilforms/pencil

Pen and notebookPen and notebook CalculatorCalculator Flash lightFlash light Digital CameraDigital Camera

Supplies ContinuedSupplies Continued Safety and personal protection:Safety and personal protection:

Rubber glovesRubber gloves Leather glovesLeather gloves Safety glasses, Safety glasses,

goggles, face shieldsgoggles, face shields Bucket/chlorineBucket/chlorine Wash waterWash water CoverallsCoveralls

Waterless hand cleanerWaterless hand cleaner Disinfecting wipesDisinfecting wipes Chlorine in spray Chlorine in spray

containercontainer First-aid kitFirst-aid kit Rubber bootsRubber boots Rubber or plastic apronRubber or plastic apron

PartsParts

The service provider must be able to The service provider must be able to perform the necessary service that is perform the necessary service that is needed at the time of the visit. An needed at the time of the visit. An assortment of parts will assist in assortment of parts will assist in conducting maintenance and repair conducting maintenance and repair service and they are listed below. service and they are listed below.

Manufacturer Specified Parts for Manufacturer Specified Parts for

Field ServiceField Service Each manufacturer’s products have components Each manufacturer’s products have components

that need maintenance when conducting a service that need maintenance when conducting a service call. When working through the certification call. When working through the certification process with a manufacturer you will need to process with a manufacturer you will need to identify the specific items that need to be carried for identify the specific items that need to be carried for these products. In general you need to identify the these products. In general you need to identify the items that fall into these two categories:items that fall into these two categories: Miscellaneous component parts for unit being Miscellaneous component parts for unit being

servicedserviced Appropriate replacement parts for specific Appropriate replacement parts for specific

technologies and proprietary devices that are technologies and proprietary devices that are regularly servicedregularly serviced

Manufacturer Specific SuppliesManufacturer Specific Supplies

Miscellaneous Electrical FittingsMiscellaneous Electrical Fittings

Electrical tapeElectrical tape Spare fuses or Spare fuses or

breakersbreakers Spare light bulbsSpare light bulbs Watertight wire nutsWatertight wire nuts Nylon wire tiesNylon wire ties Multi-meterMulti-meter Wire soap for Wire soap for

lubricating wire during lubricating wire during replacementreplacement

Duct seal Duct seal Liquid tape for sealing Liquid tape for sealing

connectionsconnections Anti-oxidizing Anti-oxidizing

compound for compound for application to electrical application to electrical connectionsconnections

GFCI drop cordGFCI drop cord Electrical wireElectrical wire Junction boxJunction box BreakersBreakers

Please check local electrical code. The parts needed may Please check local electrical code. The parts needed may include the following:include the following:

Plastic Pipe Fittings and Plastic Pipe Fittings and Miscellaneous PartsMiscellaneous Parts

PVC glue and primerPVC glue and primer PVC adapters and PVC adapters and

common fittingscommon fittings Silicone sealantSilicone sealant Miscellaneous screws Miscellaneous screws

and washersand washers WD-40WD-40 Brakes cleaner/ Brakes cleaner/

Electronics cleanerElectronics cleaner Ram neckRam neck

Petroleum jelly to Petroleum jelly to lubricate O-rings and lubricate O-rings and grommetsgrommets

Duct tape Duct tape Schrader valveSchrader valve

Organizing Tools for the JobOrganizing Tools for the Job

How much will you do as a How much will you do as a homeowner?homeowner?

ProbablyProbably ToolsTools Testing & DiagnosticTesting & Diagnostic

DPD chlorine & sludge DPD chlorine & sludge judgejudge

Manufacturer specific Manufacturer specific tools & suppliestools & supplies

Common hand toolsCommon hand tools Clean up equipmentClean up equipment Supplies & partsSupplies & parts

Not ProbableNot Probable

Electrical SuppliesElectrical Supplies Plastic pipe fittings Plastic pipe fittings Miscellaneous PartsMiscellaneous Parts

SummarySummary

These tools will assist you in performing These tools will assist you in performing your maintenance activities.your maintenance activities.

Having the right tools for the job will save Having the right tools for the job will save you time.you time.

Safety is importantSafety is important