Dec 28, 2016

CASE STUDY: TINY HILLSIDE LOT WITH VERY STEEP SLOPES

RESIDENTIAL SEPTIC REPAIR

When a Santa Cruz County couple purchased a two bedroom home on a very small hillside lot, they knew the old septic system needed to be replaced. Because of the small lot size and its proximity within a watershed, stringent County regulations required the installation of an advanced treatment system.



CLICK HERE to read more about this innovative AquaKlear installation

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®



CLICK HERE to see more Case Studies

© 2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.


Dec 16, 2016

BEFORE YOU BUY A HOME WITH A SEPTIC TANK

Here are the things to inspect if the home you want to purchase has a septic system



The first thing to do is have the septic tank PUMPED and INSPECTED


A DYE TEST should be done on the dispersal field to ensure that it is in good operating condition with no surfacing effluent

Ask your inspector whether the septic system is PROPERLY SIZED for future home additions and renovations

All MECHANICAL PARTS should be thoroughly inspected, tested and replaced if necessary


Better Than Septic offers a full range of residential and commercial septic services throughout California, including real estate inspections

Call us for more information

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®
www.BetterThanSeptic.com

Dec 9, 2016

AQUAKLEAR APPROVED IN NORTH BAY

AquaKlear treatment systems are widely available throughout California's northern Bay Area in Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties

AquaKlear septic is available throughout California including Napa, Marin, Sonoma & Mendocino counties


AquaKlear septic can help you build, renovate or solve a problem

AquaKlear adds value to small lots & difficult properties with steep slopes, poor soils & high groundwater

AquaKlear's feature packed treatment systems are more affordable to install, operate & maintain

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®
www.BetterThanSeptic.com



© 2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

Sep 26, 2016

STAY CONNECTED

Stay connected with us for regular AquaKlear updates, septic news & tips... 



LINKS




(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®
www.BetterThanSeptic.com



© 2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

Sep 20, 2016

LEED CERTIFIED HOME USES AQUAKLEAR

Stunning Northern California home is awarded *LEED Platinum Certification* for its sustainable systems that improve the environment

Renewable energy & clean water systems highlight this
LEED Certified home overlooking the ocean
This organic farm & residence features the most environmentally friendly systems designed to preserve & enhance the property's native ecology


AquaKlear transforms sewage into recycled water
AquaKlear transforms sewage into recycled water


With an emphasis on its water reuse capabilities, the owners chose AquaKlear to treat the sewage generated from multiple buildings








A restored meadow is the dispersal field
for recycled water from the AquaKlear unit


The safe, clean recycled water is then dispersed into a subsurface dripfield across a restored meadow overlooking the ocean






When your project requires the most environmentally friendly approach... choose AquaKlear wastewater treatment




AquaKlear is ideal for LEED projects




(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®



© 2016 Better Than Septic



Sep 16, 2016

LET'S DIG A HOLE & FILL IT WITH WATER

A percolation test - "perc test" - determines how quickly water is absorbed into the soil

A perc test determines the soil's ability to absorb water

Percolation tests provide crucial information that is used to design, size & locate a septic system's dispersal field

Several holes are dug in the areas of the proposed dispersal field & presoaked for a certain amount of time




The test begins by filling the holes with water to a certain level, then timing & measuring the water level drop, which determines the percolation rate

Usually expressed in "inches per minute", the soil percolation rate is the number of inches the water level dropped over time

Example: test hole #1 showed a percolation rate of 3 inches in 30 minutes






If your property's perc rate is too fast or too slow, you may need to install an AquaKlear advanced treatment unit to mitigate your soil issues




(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®



© 2016 Better Than Septic



Jul 27, 2016

DENITRIFICATION WITH AQUAKLEAR

Contamination of groundwater with nitrates is a widely documented problem



SOURCES OF NITROGEN

Nitrates in drinking water causes Blue Baby Syndrome, birth defects & cancer
While agricultural activities are significant contributors of nitrates in groundwater, improper treatment of human sewage is also a contributing factor


AQUAKLEAR PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT

Recyced water from an AquaKlear septic system (844) 224-2782
AquaKlear treatment systems produce high quality effluent that is 98.8% cleaner than when it entered the system

Oxygen from our fine air bubble diffuser creates a powerful microbial mass that breaks down organic materials and removes contaminants from the wastewater

Our amazing Skimmer automatically clears the surface of the clarifier and returns floatable waste back to the aeration zone



DENITRIFYING WASTEWATER 
AquaKlear's nitrogen reduction series recirculates skimmed effluent back to the high-carbon, low oxygen environment in the pretreatment tank, which is ideal for microbes that reduce nitrates to nitrogen gas

AquaKlear systems have been tested & certified by Gulf Coast Testing Standard 245

CERTIFIED TREATMENT

Our ANSI/NSF Standard 245 systems reliably reduce total nitrogen by more than 50% 






(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®



© 2019 Better Than Septic



Jun 20, 2016

CASE STUDY: TINY AWKWARD LOT

AquaKlear is perfect for small lots




AquaKlear AK500F being installed

Adjacent to a waterway, this steeply sloped property with very limited space uses AquaKlear treatment to protect the environment and enhance the life of the leach field




CLICK HERE to read more about this innovative AquaKlear installation

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®




CLICK HERE to see more Case Studies

© 2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

May 27, 2016

PREVENT THE SPREAD OF ZIKA

The Zika virus is most commonly spread by the bite from an infected mosquito


Things you should know about mosquitoes:

Mosquitoes require just an inch of standing water to lay its eggs
Mosquitoes need just 1" of standing
water to lay its eggs


  • Mosquito activity increases with warm weather
  • Mosquitoes rest in tall grass, weeds & brush near homes & buildings
  • Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water (and it doesn't have to be a pond!)
  • Mosquito eggs are found in:


Cans, buckets, trash cans, barrels, jars, bird baths, neglected pools, gutters, pet dishes, flower pots, old tires, irrigation control boxes, & even septic systems



You can help control mosquitoes on your property by eliminating sources of standing water:


  • Patrol your property after every period of rain & dispose of empty cans, buckets, flowerpots, old tires & trash cans
  • Clear clogged rain gutters 
  • Change bird bath & fountain water weekly
  • Empty wading pools when not in use
  • Clean & chlorinate pools & hot tubs
  • Drain water from atop swimming pool covers
  • Change pet water daily
  • Clip tall grass & weeds from near the house or where people use the yard
  • Secure all lids to the septic tank & screen roof plumbing vents


How to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes:

  • Check & repair all screens
  • Avoid mosquito habitats (heavy brush or standing water)
  • Wear long sleeved shirts & pants
  • Use mosquito repellent with DEET
  • Limit time outdoors when mosquitoes are present



© 2018 Better Than Septic

May 9, 2016

CASE STUDY: MODERN HOME IN RIVER FLOODPLAIN

AquaKlear protects the environment




This property's fast percolating soils and proximity within a floodplain required an AquaKlear septic upgrade to protect the environment

The property abuts the Carmel River and features sandy, gravelly soils with high permeability and an unknown water table





CLICK HERE to read more about this innovative AquaKlear installation

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
Better Than Septic
Use Your Water Twice®



CLICK HERE to see another AquaKlear Case Study

© 2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

Apr 21, 2016

PROTECTING CORAL REEFS

Hawaii has enacted a law prohibiting new cesspools to protect the island's water resources & coral reefs

Cesspools are"substandard systems" when it comes to sewage treatment


CESSPOOLS:

  • do not treat wastewater - they merely dispose of it
  • discharge raw, untreated human waste 
  • contaminate groundwater which then impacts drinking water sources, streams, lagoons & oceans 
  • discharge disease-causing pathogens & algae-causing nutrients 




ATU's (Aerobic Treatment Units):

  • are better for the environment than standard septic systems
  • remove more than 95% of nutrients & solids
  • reduce Nitrogen by more than 50%
  • produce clear, odorless recycled water


Let AquaKlear's innovative wastewater treatment help you achieve total environmental protection 


(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)



Mar 24, 2016

AQUAKLEAR HEADWORKS

"ALL-IN-ONE" SOLUTION

AquaKlear's headworks combines filtration, flushing & flow metering into a single preassembled unit


FILTERS RECYCLED WATER

Our headworks includes a filter, flow meter, solenoid & several valves

AquaKlear's headworks manifold is a feature packed preassembled unit
AquaKlear's 24"D headworks manifold
It is installed between the pump tank & the dispersal field, most commonly a subsurface drip field




Netafim Disc Filter operation
How it works: Netafim disc filter
DISC FILTER
Grooves in the disc "rings" criss-cross forming a network that collects debris between & on the outside of the discs

As treated water is pumped into the filter, pressure increases & the rings compress.

The water is forced through the ring grooves where debris is trapped, sending only CLEAN WATER to the drip field dispersal area

FLOW METER
Before entering the dripfield, the filtered water passes through a flow meter that measures the quantity of water passing through the system

SOLENOID
Our electronically activated solenoid valve is installed on the dripfield return line & automatically backflushes debris from the drip system

VALVES
Our sophisticated headworks also features several valves:

  • Air Relief Valves - allow air to escape from the pipes to prevent dirt from being sucked into the dripfield emitters - they also include a schrader valve to check water pressure when the pump is on
  • Sample Valve - allows technicians to easily collect water samples
  • Throttle Valve - allows technicians to easily adjust the volume of water passing into the dripfield


CLICK HERE to see the technical schematic



(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)

www.BetterThanSeptic.com




© 2005-2017 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.


Mar 23, 2016

GENERATIONS OF EXPERIENCE

Our founder is a third generation family member in the water & wastewater industries


"I am proud to follow in my father's and grandfather's footsteps as an advocate for protecting our most precious resource, WATER" ~Jacqueline Sommers

Robert M. Morgan, PE, author, irrigation advocate
Grandfather Robert Morgan
Grandfather Robert Morgan majored in agricultural engineering at Oregon State University and developed a life long interest in irrigation and water

A registered professional engineer, his experience and knowledge in irrigation design, layout and optimization took him all over the world

He served as president of the Irrigation Association and was later commissioned by their board of directors to research and write a history of irrigation


Water and the Land, 1993 by Robert M. Morgan
Chapter 6 addresses Wastewater Reuse

Mr. Morgan's landmark book, Water and the Land, was published in 1993 

Commemorating the history that irrigators played in developing and using water resources, the book is a useful guide for industry professionals, even today




"In 2007 I was working on a small commercial septic project and found out that the consulting engineer knew my dad and grandfather! He even had a copy of grandpa's book!"

John Morgan, mfrs rep, water advocate, irrigation, turf
Father John Morgan

Father John Morgan followed his father into the irrigation, turf and ag industries

A salesman and manufacturer's rep for more than 40 years, he has broad knowledge and experience in the water use and reuse applications 



Better Than Septic founder Jacqueline Sommers is a 3rd generation family member in the water and wastewater industries
Jacqueline Sommers

"I never imagined that I would end up in the 'family business', but I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in a flat orchard!"






© 2005-2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.


Mar 22, 2016

WORLD WATER DAY: MARCH 22, 2016

Today is World Water Day, an annual celebration started as part of a United Nations campaign to raise awareness about water scarcity & safety issues around the world


Clean water is something that so many of us take for granted



1 in 10 people lack access to safe water
1 in 10 people lack access to safe water
While water covers almost 3/4 of the Earth's surface, less than 1% of it is usable for humans

Water, sanitation & hygiene related disease kills nearly 1 million people each year


1 in 3 people lack access to a toilet
More than 1/3 of people worldwide
lack access to a toilet (more than
the number who have a cell phone)

Every $1 invested in water & sanitation provides a $4 economic return

The amount of safe water could drop by 40 percent in 15 years if people do not change their habits & the way they use water






References:
World Health Organization & UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program: Progress on Drinking Water & Sanitation, 2015 Update

© 2005-2019 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

Mar 21, 2016

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT... CAN I STILL FLUSH?

Power outages can happen at any time for any reason & it can impact your advanced treatment septic system


If your septic system requires electricity to operate, it WILL NOT work correctly until power is restored



BE WATER WISE


Protect your septic system & limit water usage when power goes outLIMIT water usage, especially if you're unsure when power will be restored - only flush when necessary

STOP all water usage if sewage backs up into the house of or if you notice sewage surfacing near your system


WHEN POWER RETURNS


When power is restored, also check that power to your system has been restored - check for any tripped circuit breakers

If the High Water Alarm sounds, it means that sewage has filled the reserve storage area - your system will automatically attempt to clear the high water setting by entering an override mode


Contact your service provider if your alarm remains activated for more than 24 hours


Click here to learn more about power outages & your advanced treatment septic system


(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
www.BetterThanSeptic.com 

© 2005-2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

Mar 18, 2016

IT'S FIX-A-LEAK WEEK!

Fix-a-Leak Week is celebrated every March as a time to remind everyone to check their household fixtures (& irrigation systems) for LEAKS






Common household leaks include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets & other leaking valves


Better Than Septic (844) 224-2782 www.BetterThanSeptic.com



THESE VIDEOS can help you quickly & cost effectively detect & fix water leaks in YOUR HOME

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)

www.BetterThanSeptic.com




© 2005-2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.



Feb 25, 2016

TWO OUTLETS ARE BETTER THAN ONE!

The "Compressor with a Brain" is smart enough to know when and where to send air



AquaKlear's intelligent Dual Outlet Compressor is the brain behind the system


The Compressor with a Brain: AquaKlear's Dual Outlet Compressor

AquaKlear's programmable Dual Outlet Compressor (blower) is a key component of our amazing Clarifying Trio


The above ground compressor quietly and efficiently supplies oxygen to:





1. AK Fine Air Bubble Diffuser which injects millions of oxygen bubbles into the aeration zone


2. AK Skimmer that creates a powerful vortex to skim and clean the surface of the clarifier
AquaKlear's amazing Clarifying Trio is "powered" by the dual outlet compressor


A programmable timer automatically switches the airflow between the  Diffuser & the Skimmer





AquaKlear's blower is so quiet it can be placed beneath a bedroom window

FEATURES & BENEFITS



  • Energy efficient blower consumes less electricity than a 75 watt incandescent lightbulb
  • Quiet operation allows the blower to be placed beneath a bedroom window without disruption
  • Easy to service and maintain with no moving parts inside the tank
  • AquaKlear is the only residential system with a patented skimmer


(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)

www.BetterThanSeptic.com



© 2005-2017 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.


Feb 4, 2016

AQUAKLEAR MAKES A SPLASH IN HAWAII

Better Than Septic® successfully debuts the innovative AquaKlear system to Hawaiian residents at February's Pacific Water Conference



"Designers, installers and service providers are impressed with the simplicity and performance of the AquaKlear system", says Jacqueline Sommers, principle of Better Than Septic, "We're extremely proud to offer a quality product at a very affordable price"

AquaKlear treatment systems are approved by the Department of Health and are now available on all islands of Hawaii

AquaKlear treatment systems are approved for use in Hawaii by the Dept of Health





© 2005-2016 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.