Phoenix Arizona Dewatering Business

[jameswgesell]

I'm studying the feasibility of operating a successful septage, greasetrap (etc.) dewatering business in the Metro Phoenix Arizona area. I'm not planning on providing any pumping services but would intend to serve established pumpers by processing their septage at a cost that is lower than what their current municipality or processor(s) charge. I'd like some feedback from pumpers in the Phoenix Metro area on the perceived viability of this plan before I burn up considerable time and money investigating a plan which has no chance of succeeding or on the otherhand be worth further investigation.

Jim

[Stephen]

Are you currently dewatering Septic and Grease Trap waste? If so, what technology are you using?

[jameswgesell]

No I'm not processing any wastes. I've been checking out the market potential for doing so and have learned that there are many constraints. I wanted to operate a facility North of the Phoenix metro area as I felt there was a market serving septic haulers in the Northern Maricopa County/Southern Yavapai county area who apparently must haul their septic waste into central Phoenix for processing by independent companies who it turns out are also their competitors. The problem with this plan is the lack of industrial zoned real estate in the aforementioned area along with the lack of a disposal source (i.e. municipal sewer) for the liquid component seperated from the solids. Since land application of the seperated liquid waste is not a viable option in an area with no agricultural land the options are pretty slim. The golf course option is only viable for new construction as established courses have their recycled water sources locked in already. I'm still looking for some type of solution but now understand why this has yet to be done.

[Stephen]

I've been dewatering grease trap waste for almost 4 years now. Luckily I'm able to discharge into the municipal sewer system. For now, I landfill the solids at a reduced rate as compared to slurry. I'm currently working toward composting and water reuse. I am by no means in an area as big as Phoenix though. Well, good luck with all that!

[Pete Morici]

Instead of diposing the effluent into a sewer (which isn't available), how about a private disposal system? Something like a commercial septic setup. You set it up with chambers in the leachfield for maximum field capacity. Have an aeration pump in the secondary tank to scrub the effluent leaving an almost-clear water leaving the tank.

[Stephen]

Peter,

My next step is going to be treating the effluent to meet type 2 reuse standards and reusing it in some of my processes. The way I'm going to do so is still in the development stage but it involves technologies used in onsite systems.

[jameswgesell]

Pete:

Sounds like the only way to go if a site can be found with suitable soil structure versus the all too common rock and colleche.

[iowa pumper]

wy dont u use a mounds or biuld a lagoon both ways it comes out clear

[Stephen]

It will have to do more than come out clear. It will have to have significant Nitrogen reduction. A single pass mound system wouldn't do it. Maybe a recirculating sand filter that feeds the lagoon would?