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"Diagram
A" shows the typical lot arrangement. The Town of South Prairie
will work with your builder in determining the best location for
the STEP tank and control panel.
For new construction
it will be the owner's responsibility to install the STEP equipment.
Specifications are available at Town Hall. All homeowners are responsible
to supply electrical power to the control panel. The control panel
shall be supplied by a 115 volt, single phase, 20 amp circuit which,
in most cases, will be direct from the house's main electrical distribution
panel. |
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| On the control
panel, located on the side of your house, you will notice there is
a red light, see "Diagram B". The red light is part of an
audio-visual high water alarm. Should the STEP System malfunction,
the red light will come on and an audible alarm will sound. If this
happens, you should press the audible alarm silence button (red light)
located at the bottom of the panel, and call the Town immediately.
The phone number for the Town Sewer Department is (360) 897-8969. |
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| "Diagram
C" shows a tank similar to the one used in the Town's system.
Wastewater from the house travels through a pipe into the STEP tank.
In the tank, the wastewater is treated anaerobically. When the liquid
level in the tank reaches the proper height, the control system turns
on the pump which pumps a set volume of liquid out of the tank through
the service line to the pressure main, and on to the Wastewater Treatment
Plant. |
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| The following are typical questions asked by
users of the STEP System: |
| What
Is The STEP System? |
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Who
Maintains The STEP System? |
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Will
I Hear The Pump Run? |
| What
happens if there is a power failure? |
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Pumping
The STEP Tank When Selling Your Property. |
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DO'S
AND DON'Ts FOR STEP USERS |
DO
Call (360) 897-8969 whenever the alarm comes on.
It sounds like a smoke alarm. The audible alarm can be silenced by
pushing the illuminated light located directly above the PUSH TO SILENCE
label on the front of the electrical control panel. With normal use
the tank has a reserve storage capacity good for approximately 24
hours.
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DO
Call the Town if your drains are running slow.
The problem may be in either the STEP tank or in your household
plumbing. A Town representative will check and correct any problems
in the pretreatment tank. If it is found to be in your household
plumbing, you will be advised to call a plumber.
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| DO
feel free to place a bird bath, potted plant or other yard decoration
on the tank riser lid, as long as it can be readily removed for the
sake of maintenance. Landscaping or permanent structures should be
planned prior to installation in order to ensure that the integrity
of the system is not jeopardized. |
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DO
practice water conservation.
By reducing the amount of water going into your system, you can extend
the life of the system and reduce the power consumption. A toilet
float can hang up and result in over 2000 gallons per day of wasted
water. Normal household usage ranges from 100 to 200 gallons per day.
Use water-saving devices in the toilet tank, and don't flush unnecessarily. |
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DON'T
connect rain gutters or storm drains or allow other surface
water to get into the new pressure sewer.
This additional water will increase pumping costs, deplete the available
capacity of the collection system and add needlessly to the daily
volume of water the treatment facility has to process. |
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DON'T
flush undesirable substances into the sewer.
DO NOT FLUSH flammable materials, plastics, cigarette butts, sanitary
napkins, contraceptives, excessive grease, coffee grounds, excessive
hair or garbage disposal waste. |
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DON'T
use special additives that claim they will enhance the performance
of your tank.
Additives DO NOT improve the performance of the septic tank and can
cause major damage to your drainfield or other areas in the collection
system. The natural micro-organisms and bacteria that form in your
system are sufficient. They generate their own enzymes for breaking
down and digesting nutrients.
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DON'T
enter your tank.
Any work to the tank should be done from the outside by authorized
personnel. Gases that can be generated in the tank and/or the lack
of oxygen can be fatal. Call your Town Sewer Department for assistance.
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For
any problems or questions regarding your STEP System, call the
Town Sewer Department at (360) 897-8969.
You may also wish to take a tour of the Town's Wastewater
Treatment Plant.
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