AMERICAN STSF DRIP

Secondary Effluent Quality with Nitrogen Reduction > 50%
1,2 or 3 ZONE SIMPLEX or DUPLEX
PATENT NOS. 5,200,065 - 5,766,475

MANUFACTURED BY:
AMERICAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY INC.
5517 WELLINGTON ROAD, GAINESVILLE, VA. 20155
1-800-345-3132
Copyright 2000

AMERICAN MANUFACTURING LIMITED WARRANTY

For one year (12 months) after the date of purchase, American Manufacturing Company, Inc. will repair or replace any product or portion thereof which proves to be defective due to materials or workmanship of American Manufacturing. We reserve the right to repair or replace defective materials at our discretion.

This warranty does not cover the following conditions:

1. Defects or problems caused by improper installation or maintenance of materials.
2. Abuse, neglect or accidental damage of products.
3. Normal maintenance or upkeep of products.
4. Lightning, war, floods, or other acts beyond our control.
5. Misapplication of our products for their designed purpose, or misapplication according to local, state or national codes when in effect.

Defective or warranty materials must be returned to us or a place designated by American Manufacturing. All returns must be accompanied by a return authorization number supplied by American Manufacturing.

American Manufacturing will in no way be responsible for any losses or damages incurred by failure of equipment, parts or service. NOTE: Some states do not allow exclusion of damages so this may not apply to you. There are no other warranties written or implied.

Introduction Congratulations! You are now the owner of a state of the art wastewater treatment and recycling system by American Manufacturing Company, Inc. We have been in business for over 20 years and are considered one of the leaders in the On-Site Wastewater industry. With a staff having over 100 years collective experience in providing solutions to new sites and sites in need of repair, we are able to deliver an ecological, economical, easy to install and off-the-shelf AMERICAN SINGLE TANK SAND FILTER DRIP to owners like you.

When and How to use manual This owner's manual should be read cover to cover initially, and then as needed to answer any questions or assist the owner in fulfilling their maintenance and inspection responsibilities.

When and Where to call for assistance or get additional information If at any time you have a question about the AMERICAN SINGLE TANK SAND FILTER DRIP or observe any alarm or unusual condition, you should call your qualified service representative or installing contractor as soon as possible. The owner should record in the back of this manual, the contact name and telephone number of the qualified service representative and installing contractor. If further assistance is needed, call American Manufacturing Company, Inc. at 800-345-3132.

Overview of Manual The manual is organized to cover safety precautions and warnings, an overview of the AMERICAN SINGLE TANK SAND FILTER DRIP components, and the owner's responsibility. A startup log and limited warranty are in the back of this manual.

Safety Precautions and Warnings The owner or operator of the AMERICAN SINGLE TANK SAND FILTER DRIP should take precautions consistent with operators working with sewage and electricity when working with, or around any of the system components.

Electrical Hazards The AMERICAN SINGLE TANK SAND FILTER DRIP incorporates pump(s), float switches, relays and many electrical components that use 230 volts, 120 volts or 24 volts AC. Improper use of equipment can cause an electrical shock and may lead to serious injury or death.

Sewage Hazards Proper attention should be given to cleanup when working in and around the septic and pump tanks and wastewater handling equipment to insure that disease causing bacteria are not transmitted to persons or contact surfaces. The septic and pump tanks can allow for a toxic buildup of poisonous gasses that can lead to serious injury or death if inhaled.

Heavy Lifting Hazards The owner and/or operator should exercise proper caution when lifting heavy system components, such as pump tank lids. Improper lifting of heavy components can lead to loss of limb and/or mobility.

Overview of American SINGLE TANK SAND FILTER Drip

The system is a pretreatment and fluid dispersal system providing recirculating sand filter aggregate treatment of septic tank effluent with no splitting device or final pump tank. The pretreatment is followed by slow rate, equal distribution over an absorption area by way of subsurface drip irrigation tubing. Disc filtration is utilized during the dosing process, filtering the fluid from the tank before dosing either the sand filter or the lead zone. The system uses one (simplex system) or two (duplex system) pumps to manage the system, as required by local regulations.

The dosing pump, disc filtration, and distribution systems are all managed by a single controller. The control allows reprogramming of the time and volume of dose to different individual zones (absorption areas) or sand filter. In addition, the system water meter allows for the retrieval of water use information. The system provides for treatment and disposal on a time dose basis as opposed to typical conventional demand dosing. The dosing tank volume provides equalization and dilution for the accommodation of peak flows. The control unit insures time interval dosing of the treatment and absorption areas at the design loading.

If the design flow is exceeded for any extended period a high water alarm will sound. If flows are less than designed, the control will continue to dose the sand filter in order to provide enhanced treatment of the water left in the pump tank. The dosing time may be altered to accommodate observed variance of historic water use as obtained from the flow meter. The system can be "tuned" for sewage flows at the site to insure that the absorption area is dosed at the proper interval. If use is considerably less than as designed, one zone maybe removed from service to rest the unused area.

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

The pump control panel is equipped with four float switches, which control the timed doses to pretreatment and discharge. The four float switches, "Redundant Off", "Standard Dose Enable", Peak Dose Enable", and "High Level" function as follows:

• Redundant Off - The water level must be high enough to overcome the "Redundant Off" (first & bottom) float in order for the pump to be permitted to run, and pump to the sand filter when the time clock has timed out the preset time delay of 90 minutes (rest between sand filter dosing cycles).
• Standard Dose Enable - When the water level rises high enough to overcome the "Standard Dose Enable" (second) float and the sand filter and/or drip disposal time clock has timed out the "Standard Dose Enable" preset time delay(s) (90 minutes for the sand filter and 180 minutes for the drip disposal), the pump will dose the sand filter and/or the lead zone. The pump will remain off until the internal time clocks again time out the preset time delay, and if the "Standard Dose Enable" float is still up, the sand filter and drip dosing process will repeat itself. The sand filter will be dosed at a 4:1 ratio and the drip zones will be dosed a total gallons per day equal to 60% of the design flow when the "Standard Dose Enable" float is in the up position.
• Peak Dose Enable - The control system will be equipped with a "Peak Dose Enable" circuit to manage peak flows and excess water use. If the rising water level activates the "Peak Dose Enable" (third) float, the "Pump - Off - Pump & Alarm" switch is set to "Pump", and the preset time delay has exceeded the "Peak Dose Enable" preset time delay(s) (54 minutes for the sand filter and 108 minutes for the drip disposal), the pump will dose the sand filter and/or the lead zone. When the "Peak Dose Enable" float returns to the down position, the normal pumping cycle will resume. If the rising water level activates the "Peak Dose Enable" (third) float, the "Pump - Off - Pump & Alarm" switch is set to "Pump & Alarm", and the preset time delay has exceeded the "Peak Dose Enable" preset time delay(s), the pump will dose the sand filter and/or the lead zone, and the "Peak Dose Enable" alarm will be activated. The audio portion of the alarm may be silenced by pressing the Test-Normal-Silence switch to the silence position. When the "Peak Dose Enable" float has returned to the down position the alarm will be deactivated and the normal pumping cycle will resume. The sand filter will be dosed at a 4:1 ratio and the drip zones will be dosed a total gallons per day equal to 100% of the design flow when the "Peak Dose Enable" float is in the up position.
• High Level-Alarm - If the water level rises enough to overcome the "High Level" (fourth) float, the audio/visual alarm will activate. The audio portion of the alarm may be silenced by pressing the Test-Normal-Silence switch (located on the outside of the control panel) to the silence position. The alarm circuit will latch until manually reset after the "High Level" float returns to its normal (down) position. The alarm circuit is manually reset by switching the High Level Reset/Off-Normal switch (located inside the control panel on the inner door) to the Reset position then back to normal.

Drip Tubing

The drip field supply line conveys the effluent to the drip absorption zone that is being dosed where it is discharged below the soil surface through a patented chemical-resisting pressure compensating self cleaning "drip" poly-tubing emitter. The emitters or "drippers" are located every two feet in the tubing and emit 0.65 gallons per hour per emitter. The dripper lines are automatically scoured (forward flushed) every 50 dosing cycles. This function is activated by the controller which opens the field flush valve, thus allowing the flushed effluent to be returned to the pretreatment tank. The duration of this cycle is approximately three minutes. The flushing cycle produces a high velocity cleansing/scouring action by the effluent along the inside walls of the dripper tubing, P.V.C. manifolds and emitters.

The construction of the "RAM" drip tubing is unique in that the internal diaphragm and labyrinth provide for an exact amount of effluent to be discharged from each of its emitters which are spaced at two foot intervals along the entire length of the RAM drip tubing. Each emitter maintains a constant flow over pressure ranges of 7 to 70 psi. Because the effluent is distributed at an ultra low rate, large quantities of effluent may be economically distributed over large areas during controlled periods of time without saturating the surrounding soil.

Air Release Valves

The drip field return line conveys the effluent from the drip absorption zone (used to "flush" or clean the tubing) back to the pretreatment device. Each zone will have an air release valve housed in a small valve box at the highest point of the return manifold pipe in each zone. The valve will close when the water pressure arrives at the valve during each dose. The air release valve allows air to reenter the tubing after each dose to allow the tubing to drain. This also prevents the uphill tubing from draining water into the downhill tubing and overloading downhill tubing.

In the event of damage to the air release valve, effluent may leak from the system. This condition should be fixed immediately by replacing damaged parts. Air release valves should not be covered with soil or other material and should always be accessible to the service personnel.

Owner's Responsibility

Preventative Maintenance

The drip field area should receive only the most passive type yard uses. No use is recommended when conditions are wet. Under no conditions are any autos or heavy machinery to be allowed on the site.

In order to prevent erosion, the site should be established and maintained as a healthy lawn, or if wooded, mulched and stabilized. Erosion of the site and the adjacent areas should be controlled and eliminated. Surface flows should be diverted away from all components of the system.

The recirculating sand filter must be checked periodically to see that the dosing equipment is operating properly. The recirculating sand filter must be checked every 3 to 4 months. Any vegetation found growing on the surface should be removed. At higher loading rates (maximum usage) clogging of the filter surface will occur, slowing infiltration. If the surface remains ponded between doses, insufficient aeration of the media will occur, lowering the effluent quality. If the filter surface remains ponded between doses, the filter should be taken out of service for rejuvenation.

Resting or raking of the surface and sand replacement are common rejuvenation techniques (EPA 1980). Raking may be sufficient to break up the clogged surface to allow continued loading, but raking combined with 3 or 4 months resting seems to prolong filter runs (Univ. of Wis. 1978). Eventually, however, removal of some of the sand becomes necessary.

Scheduled Inspections

The drip field should be walked & inspected at least once a month for the first six months of operation. After six months of operation without showing symptoms of failure, the drip field should be walked & inspected annually. Symptoms to look for on the walk through inspection are patches of wetness. If symptoms are identified, notify your service provider immediately.

The septic tank and pump chambers should be inspected at least once a year by a trained professional service provider, your American Dealer. The septic tank should be pumped when the sludge level reaches 25% or approximately 12 inches, or when the scum layer on top is excessive.

Alarms - Notifying Service Provider of alarm events

The system controller is equipped with an audio/visual alarm to alarm high water level conditions. The high level alarm may be silenced by pressing the "silence" button on the side of the control. Since a high water level condition can be caused by pump failure, excessive infiltration, or an unusually large peak flow, the owner should call the service provider to determine the cause of the alarm prior to requesting service.

If at any time there are any indications of failure, such as the flow meter not moving during a dose or wetness in the area of the drip field, notify your service provider immediately.

Monitor & Regulate waste input to septic tanks

Since all processes in this sewage disposal system use biological activity to treat the wastewater, only typical biodegradable household wastes are to be disposed of in drains leading to the septic tank. Never dispose of pesticides, oil or grease based products, or solids (especially feminine hygiene products) into the system. Minimize disposal of high strength over-the-counter type products such as bleach, and don't use colored toilet tissue.

• To silence alarm - On outside of control push "Test-Off-Silence" switch to "silence" and release.
• To Reset alarm - After alarm float goes down, on inner door place "Reset/Off - normal" switch to "Reset/Off" position then back to "normal".
• Manual Operation - Place "H-O-A" (hand-off-auto) switch to "Hand". This position is like an "on switch" and should operate the individual component regardless of other conditions.

Controller

The "state of the art" controller is enclosed in an outdoor electrical control box located near and connected to the hydraulic unit. The control panel uses 230 volt power and the microprocessor has 120V and 24V AC inputs and relay outputs for automatic operation of the American SINGLE TANK SAND FILTER Drip. When in the "Hand" or "Off" position, the manual switches (Hand-Off-Auto) on the door of the control panel completely bypass the microprocessor. The "Hand" position will allow manual operation of the entire system in the event of a microprocessor failure. NOTE: THE HOMEOWNER ASSUMES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONDITIONS OR MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO MANUAL OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM BY ANYONE OTHER THAN A QUALIFIED SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. LEAVING THE PUMP CONTROL IN THE "HAND" POSITION WILL FORCE THE PUMP TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY AND MAY RESULT IN PUMP FAILURE.

Hydraulic Unit

The submersible pump delivers unfiltered effluent to each disc filter. The filter backflushing schedule is triggered at the beginning of each dose cycle. One filter valve closes, thus blocking the flow of unfiltered effluent to that filter. After a short delay, the other flushing valve opens, thereby backflushing the unused filter. The accumulated impurities discharge back into the pretreatment unit. The closing and opening procedure of the filter and back flush valves causes a change of flow within the unit to provide filtered water from one filter to backflush the other filter. The backflush procedure lasts approximately fifteen seconds then the back flushing valve closes. Only after the first filter has completed its backflushing cycle, will the second filter begin its cycle of backflushing in the same manner as the first. Effluent will then be pumped through clean disc filters, then through the flow meter and finally through the outlet manifold to the drip field or sand filter supply line. During extended dose times the disc filters are re-backwashed to assure optimum operation.

System Parameters of American SINGLE TANK SAND FILTER (STSF) DRIP

Simplex System w/ 2 Zones & 2 Disc Filters- Zone 1 is for Sand filter

1. System Fail indicated by high level alarm, sandfilter ponding or unusual wetness in the field.
2. Standard Rest time between: Drip doses = 180 minutes, 8 doses per day. SF doses = 90 minutes, 16 doses per day.
3. Peak Rest time between: Drip doses = 108 minutes, 13.3 doses per day. SF doses = 54 minutes, 26 doses per day.
4. High level alarm counter (record periodically to monitor activity).
5. Peak enable counter (record periodically to monitor activity).
6. Flow meter in hydraulic unit and sand filter (record periodically to monitor activity).
7. To remove pump or zone from service place its control switch to "off".

Simplex System w/ 4 Zones & 2 Disc Filters - Zone 1 is for Sandfilter

1. System Fail indicated by high level alarm or unusual wetness in the field.
2. Standard Rest time between: Drip doses = 180 minutes, 2.6 doses per day per zone. SF doses = 90 minutes, 16 doses per day.
3. Peak Rest time between: Drip doses = 108 minutes, 4.4 doses per day per zone. SF doses = 54 minutes, 26 doses per day.
4. High level alarm counter (record periodically to monitor activity).
5. Peak enable counter (record periodically to monitor activity).
6. Flow meter in hydraulic unit and sand filter (record periodically to monitor activity).
7. To remove pump or zone from service place its control switch to "off".

Note: When two drip zones are in use the rest time is the same so the doses per day change to 4 doses per zone per day at standard rest, and 6.6 doses per day per zone for peak enable rest time.

Duplex System w/ 4 Zones & 2 Disc Filters - Zone 1 is for Sandfilter

1. System Fail indicator by high level alarm or unusual wetness in the field or by pump current sensor relay. In the event of a pump failure, no current or low current will cause relay to activate "Pump Fail" alarm.
2. Standard Rest time between: Drip doses = 90 minutes, 5.3 doses per day per zone. SF doses = 90 minutes, 16 doses per day.
3. Peak Rest time between: Drip doses = 54 minutes, 8.8 doses per day per zone. SF doses = 54 minutes, 26 doses per day.
4. High level alarm counter (record periodically to monitor activity).
5. Peak enable counter (record periodically to monitor activity).
6. Flow meter in hydraulic unit and sand filter (record periodically to monitor activity).
7. To remove pump or zone from service place its control switch to "off".

Note: When two drip zones are in use the rest time is the same so the doses per day change to 4 doses per zone per day at standard rest, and 6.6 doses per day per zone for peak enable rest time.

MICROPROCESSOR
INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

LETTER OF AGREEMENT FOR MONITORING - RETAIN FOR RECORDS

The System controller monitors the liquid level in the pump tank. In the event of a high level alarm or peak dose enable condition, an alarm will sound.

The owner understands that as a condition of the warranty, the Manufacturer will monitor the system during the warranty period for flow, peak dose enable conditions, high level alarm conditions, and other mechanical functions which result in a high level alarm.

The Owner shall provide American or its dealer/representative with such access to the property and system as is reasonably necessary for American to comply with the terms of this Agreement. As soon as an alarm condition occurs, the owner shall notify the installer which condition occurred, the nature of the condition, and where the system is located. The owner understands and will hold the installer and manufacturer harmless for alarm conditions and other events beyond their control. Please reference the American Manufacturing Company, Inc. warranty policy. American Manufacturing Company, Inc. shall not be responsible for damages caused by any type of system failure or for soil suitability, damage due to construction, use, acts of god, or other events.

Note: In the event of a power, pump, or other mechanical failure, the system should be designed to provide at least an additional 1/4 day of storage capacity.

Letter of Agreement for MONITORING - RETURN FOR WARRANTY

The System controller monitors the liquid level in the pump tank. In the event of a high level alarm or peak dose enable condition, an alarm will sound.

The owner understands that as a condition of the warranty, the Manufacturer will monitor the system during the warranty period for flow, peak dose enable conditions, high level alarm conditions, and other mechanical functions which result in a high level alarm.

The Owner shall provide American or its representative with such access to the property and system as is reasonably necessary for American to comply with the terms of this Agreement. As soon as an alarm condition occurs, the owner shall notify the installer which condition occurred, the nature of the condition, and where the system is located. The owner understands and will hold the installer and manufacturer harmless for alarm conditions and other events beyond their control. Please reference the American Manufacturing Company, Inc. warranty policy. American Manufacturing Company, Inc. shall not be responsible for damages caused by any type of system failure or for soil suitability, damage due to construction, use, acts of god, or other events.

Note: In the event of a power, pump, or other mechanical failure, the system should be designed to provide at least an additional 1/4 day of storage capacity.