Planning and Installing Sustainable Onsite Wastewater Systems Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I used this book for projects in southern Africa including an ecolodge, low-cost housing, and general consulting. It is exceptional because it includes both technical guidelines for the environmental engineer as well as photos and CAD sketches for the builder. Various products are also mentioned. This book would serve anyone working in remote areas of the world, where limited skills, tools and materials are available, but I think it could also be valuable to people practicing in industrialized countries too.
-Chris Rollins, PE (Alaska and Colorado, USA)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Planning and Installing Sustainable Onsite Wastewater Systems


A detailed Guide to Sustainable Decentralized Wastewater Systems
Covering technical principles and practical applications, this comprehensive resource explains how to design and construct sound and sustainable decentralized wastewater systems of varying sizes and in differing geophysical conditions. Planning and Installing Sustainable Onsite Wastewater Systems covers state-of-the-art techniques, materials, and industry practices, and provides detailed explanations for why certain approaches result in more sustainable projects.A rational approach is presented for assessing assimilative capabilities of soils, and selecting methods of wastewater treatment and dispersal that make optimal use of natural treatment processes and site conditions.
In-depth design and construction information highlights nonproprietary methods proven to be very sustainable and cost effective on a long-term basis for many geographic settings.Step-by-step illustrations and project examples featuring real-world implementations of onsite wastewater systems are included in this definitive volume.
Planning and Installing Sustainable Wastewater Systems covers:
Sustainability factors and planning considerations for decentralized wastewater systems
Project planning and site evaluation
Wastewater collection and conveyance methods
Design and installation of primary treatment units
Comparisons of secondary and advanced treatment methods
Sand filter construction
Subsurface flow wetland performance and construction
Effluent dispersal methods
Design and installation of low-pressure dosed effluent dispersal systems

Click here for more information about Planning and Installing Sustainable Onsite Wastewater Systems

Read More...

HM Digital Handheld TDS Tester Model TDS-3 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review is on both the meter and the calibration fluid designed to calibrate the meter.
I bought the TDS-3 from Amazon as a check on the efficacy of my Brita filters. Shortly after I bought it I misplaced it (don't ask, it's a lesson in applied stupidity) so I bought another. You guessed it; I found the first one immediately after the second one arrived.
Having the two meters did provide one benefit though, I could compare the two. I was quite disappointed to note that there was a significant difference between readings for the two meters.
However...
If you have this meter, be sure to go to the web site for the manufacturer (Google TDS-3). They have an excellent discussion on how to use the meter to take measurements, what the meter's limitations are, i.e., what it measures, and how to calibrate it.
Using their instructions, i.e., taking measurements correctly, the two meters were much closer in their measurements. There was from 2 to 3% difference in the numerical readings for tap water, Brita-filtered water and distilled water. Both read zero for distilled water. Not too bad for home use. It's really important to do it right, though.
Since there was a difference between the two meters, however small, I decided to calibrate them using TDS's own calibration fluid. This is a mixture of water and NaCl to a known concentration. They offer 1000 ppm and 342 ppm. The TDS-3 is supposed to be calibrated against the 342 ppm fluid.
Amazon offers TDS calibration fluid. The product is pictured with two bottles, one at 342 ppm and behind it in the picture, 1000 ppm. Since the 342 ppm was in front and much larger, I assumed that's what would be sent. Well...we all know about assumptions.
The fluid I received was the 1000 ppm. When I contacted the company the representative said 1000 ppm was all they offered. This disagrees with their web site but I didn't press it; it's not that expensive (shipping was almost as much as the fluid itself) and I made some 333 ppm fluid by diluting what I had 3-to-1 with distilled water. The meters read low with my jury-rigged calibration fluid, 304 rather than 333. Not tremendously scientific but good enough for my purposes. The company did offer to take the fluid back - with me paying for shipping.
So I have rated this meter 3 because of the misleading approach to selling calibration fluid, the claim that they only offer 1000 ppm, and the discrepancy between the two meters when their web site says "no need to calibrate out of the box".
The meter is OK for my purposes. I can measure filter efficiency relatively rather than absolutely. I don't need precision; it's good enough to note that the filter reduces TDS without actually knowing the precise value of the reduction. In short, if I lose both of these (not inconceivable) I'd buy another.


Click Here to see more reviews about: HM Digital Handheld TDS Tester Model TDS-3

Click here for more information about HM Digital Handheld TDS Tester Model TDS-3

Read More...