Let the Games Begin!
Today (Sunday) while hiding Easter eggs throughout the lawn, I could hear a faint humming, like a vibration or distant motor, which I could not identify. It would start, continue for around a minute, stop for maybe 5 or 10 minutes, then start again. After maybe an hour of searching, I discovered the source; my grinder pump, attempting to rid the containment vessel of unknown thousands of gallons of infiltrating groundwater for who knows how long! Since the house is not connected to the sewer, I decided to shut the grinder off at the panel, which was an event in itself since someone had locked the electrical enclosure. Fortunately it was a small lock which yielded quite easily to a pair of bolt cutters, enabling me to gain access to shut off the circuit to the pump.
Was this an oversight of whoever tested the pump? Or is this the way the WPCA is going to ensure that ample flow reaches the pump station and on to East Hampton? Either way, I am not contributing my electricity to the pump until such time that I am forced to by hookup to the sewer, and I would encourage everyone who is not tied in to the sewer to check your electrical panel and make sure the breaker to the grinder pump is switched “off”.
I wonder how many people, that are hooked up to the sewer system, are pumping ground water. I’m also concerned about the reverse, how much raw sewage is leaking into the ground from the grinder pump casing. I wonder if this consitutes a health hazard, raw sewage leaking into the ground, and not though a properly installed leech field. I guess we now know why the town didn’t want to pay for the electricity to run the grinder pumps. They didn’t want to pay to pump ground water.
Interesting……Is there backflow prevention to prevent water from the sewers from entering the pumping chamber from the street side. I would assume there should be such a valve to prevent backflow. Other than that I would think that it should be a sealed system unless there is water entering through the inlet pipe that has yet to be connected to the home.
I have a copy of the installation and maintenance book. According to it, there is a check valve inside the grinder to prevent backflow from the sewer line.
I brought the water in the containment vessel issue up in a letter to Peter Hughes last fall. I noticed the containment vessel was 3/4 full of water, with no pump inside at the time, and according to the installation instructions a stub with a cap was to have been installed in the vessel temporarily until the sewer from the house could be connected. Mr. Hughes responded that once the sewer line from the house was connected ground water would no longer be able to enter, which is probably true assuming everything else was installed correctly, but without a sealed inlet ground water will continue to enter, and with the pump energized it will pump to the sewer system. And the more I think about it, the more I am realizing that it was planned this way, as the curb box to the main sewer must be open, otherwise where would the water go when the pump comes on?
The WPCA is getting my next electric bill for reimbursement, and I will present it in person at the next meeting after I receive the bill.
And I would think that excessive running of the pumps may shorten their life….
Interestingly, I just received a letter from Peter Hughes directing me to turn on the circuit breaker for my grinder pump so the contractor could finish testing.
Guess, I’ll just leave it off.
But, Bill — don’t worry! The contractor is going to fix everything that’s wrong at everyone’s property. Peter said so, and he’s even keeping a list! It will all be a-okay, 100%. Just you wait and see!
And, they’re going to do it in the most cost effective manner, too! Like, they would never plant grass seed over an area that they have to dig back up again to repair, say — a french drain. Why, that would be absurd!
These guys know their stuff! Peter promises.
And, I seriously cannot wait to turn on my faucet and get a nice refreshing glass of sh*t juice, because everyone’s pump is leaking into the groundwater. Mmmm, mmm! Tasty!
I pray that those chambers are water tight. Otherwise not only will owners be paying for extra electricity to pump ground water but the Town will also have inflated fees from East Hampton based on the amount being pumped. Is there any documentation showing that the chambers that were installed are water tight?
I would think that the grinder pump chambers would need to be watertight just as you would expect a septic tank to keep out ground water. When septic tanks are inspected the inspector looks for any indication of ground water entering the tank. In some cases I have seen a drain plug missing at the bottom of a septic tank and the septic tank company will install a new plug to seal that hole to make sure that you are not getting ground water into your tank. I would expect that the same would hold true for the desire to keep the grinder pump casings watertight. It is just common sense.
The WPCA and it’s agents are perfect creatures who can do no wrong. How dare you assume that documentation would be necessary? Why, they are so adept at what they do, they do not even need the building inspector to sign off on their work. Shame, Ken, for speaking of such blasphemous thoughts!
Even though I thought I kinda made this point earlier — I’ve been asked by a source that wishes to remain anonymous, to post a note here that, whatever you do, don’t bust open the lock on the electrical panel on the outside of the house.
Instead, you should have a new breaker installed in your panel in your home, which controls current supply to the grinder pump. Simply switch off the breaker to disable your grinder pump.
(Bill, I know you already know this, too; just posting it for others.)
Come on David. What happened to that rebel we have all come to know and love? You are mellowing.
The next thing we will see is you organizing a sit-in in front of the pumping station……go 1969!!