Northeast Sanitation Blog

Beach water quality - MA

Nothing closes a local swimming hole or beach faster than E. coli bacteria. There are hundreds of strains and certain types cause severe gastrointestinal illness. The presence of E. coli is also an indicator that other harmful microbes lurk in the water. For that reason, health officials regularly test area beaches and waterways for the bacterium and as Bostonians, we have gotten accustomed to looking for the flag on the cities beaches. Blue means okay for swimming, red means warning, no swimming, potential health risks.

The Blue Flag is an award given to beaches and marinas regarding the environment. This award was created in 1985 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Each year, this organization rewards the beaches and marinas that pursue a policy regarding a quality environment. Nowadays, the Blue Flag is a reference for all beach dwellers, especially at city beaches. Previously, only two criteria were needed to obtain the Blue Flag; nowadays, the beaches and marinas must fill the four following requirements to obtain the Blue Flag:

• Environmental Education and Information
• Water Quality
• Environmental Management
• Safety and services

Even though Boston water quality is generally good to excellent, but be sure to check the flags at each beach.  Avoid coming right after a heavy rain.

How does a cesspool work?

Well this is a commonly asked question. We have finally decided to answer it in our blog. Waste flows from you home into the cesspool where organic solids float to the top and inorganic solids sink to the bottom. Naturally occurring bacteria in the cesspool converts the organic solids into liquid. This liquid which is now clear, flows out the sides of the tank and into the surrounding soil. The grass is always greener….So, as you can see, cesspool systems fail because of the build up of solids. By not servicing and maintaining your system properly, solids build up within the tank and clog the pores of the cesspool walls. This will prevent liquid from escaping the tank into the surrounding soil. In addition, the presence of inorganic household substances in the tank, like cleaners, grease, and anti-bacterial soap will turn into solids and will also clog the cesspool walls. This can result in a system overflow. Please limit the amount of inorganic materials flowing out of your house through your pipes and into your cesspool.

When your organization hosts an outdoor charity event, you want to do your best to impress your guests with all aspects of the event. Guests may be attending your event for the first time, but they are there to potentially start a charitable giving relationship that could hopefully last for years. That is why it is important to rent outdoor portable toilets that reflect well on your organization and its image. No-flush portable toilets just won't do when it comes to impressing guests who are donating hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars to your cause.

Look into renting upscale portable toilets or restroom trailers for your outdoor charity event. These are leaps and bounds ahead of the basic no-flush restrooms. Upscale portable toilets allow you to give your guests a restroom experience as close as possible to the indoor restrooms they are used to in their homes or in upscale restaurants. Upscale portable restrooms or restroom trailers are actually located within individual trailers which are transported to your outdoor event site. Once positioned in place, guests access them via a short staircase, and your guests will be amazed at how much the ambiance and amenities resemble actual stationery restrooms with flushing porcelain toilets located within private door-enclosed stalls, sinks with running water, exterior and interior lighting, full vanities and make-up mirrors, premium quality paper products and hand soap, as well as heat and air conditioning. And do not worry; we have not forgotten the needs of your disabled or handicapped charity event guests. You can also rent handicapped accessible portable toilets which are situated at ground level for entry or can be accessed by low ramps, and are wider and larger to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.

Treating outdoor charity event guests to an upscale portable toilet shows how much you care about their comfort and convenience while they are supporting your organization or cause. Renting a restroom trailer or flushable portable toilet is the wisest investment in party planning that any charitable organization can make.

Septic Maintenance Process

According to the US Government Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Public Health Service, “A septic tank system will serve a home satisfactorily only if it is properly designed, installed and adequately maintained.”

The goal of proper septic system maintenance is to prevent the accumulation of solids. It can cost between $15,000 and $30,000 to replace the septic system, with this in mind it is easier for households to maintain a septic system than to replace one! Every household should be on a regular septic pumping maintenance schedule. The regularity of this pumping varies and depends on many factors including household size, tank size, and if there is a garbage disposal in the home. However, no matter how often a system is pumped, over time, solids will accumulate. We recommend high pressure water jetting every five years. Additionally, the use of live organic bacteria is recommended. This bacteria breaks down the presence of unnatural substances like detergents and soaps. This bacterium also keeps you pipes clear and odor free. There is a filter which prevents solids from entering your leach field and this filter needs to be replaced each time your system is serviced. It is financially much easier to maintain your septic system than to replace it.

Uses for Portable sinks

Although we often carry around hand sanitizer in our cars or purses, sometimes these just don’t cut it. Portable sinks are readily available for rent nowadays. They are useful in parks and camp grounds, as well as at festivals and outdoor catering events; or at any outdoor event that is not situated near a kitchen or restroom. Previously, portable sinks only were available with cold water, but now many are available with cold and hot running water and are much easier to transport. As we learn more and more about food born illness and sanitation, we should think more about providing portable sinks at our outdoor events. Many caterers do outdoor grilling or serve at outdoor events and it would be nice to see the cooks or wait staff use a readily available hand sink. Having access to a sink is essential in keeping food prep and serving areas sanitary, but, based on where the serving will take place, this is not always feasible.
Finally, there are all sorts of safety uses for portable sinks. In temporary lodging set up after a natural disaster is certainly a place where a portable sink is needed. Where workers are using chemicals in wide open areas is another space where you are likely to need a portable sink. Anywhere that someone can benefit from clean, running water where there is otherwise no access, a portable sink is a natural choice.  

Portable Toilets leave a lasting impression

Is there anything worse than being at the ball field, a lake, or the community beach and having to use one of those portable toilets?  I don’t think so ... at least most of the time.  As you spend more time with your kids at these municipal fields and parks you start to recognize the names on the doors of these portable restrooms ... especially the ones who don’t service their equipment and always make you cringe.

Municipalities should really take into consideration that it is their name that gets the bad reputation first before the portable toilet company. Parents in Sudbury don’t like it when we have to take our kids out of town for a game, especially when we know from previous experience that it’s a town that doesn’t have a service contract with the portable toilet company.  As parents we certainly remember that lasting impressions and feeling of cringing!

Restroom trailers for your outdoor wedding

Are you planning a big, beautiful wedding outdoors? Maybe on the ocean, on a lake or in a park. Everything is planned, the guest list, the flowers and the caterer. If so, you’ll need restrooms for the party. Even if the wedding or event is in a home, you’ll be much happier knowing guests don’t need to walk through the house to use the restroom. If there are a large number of guests at the event, this can be very hard on the homeowner’s septic system. The last thing you or the home owner needs is a plugged up septic system. Restroom trailers can be rented for the event. They are spacious, well appointed, and spacious. They have a counter for a bridal basket, or flowers, flushing toilets, and ceramic sinks. The trailers are delivered and set up at your event, and, with NSC, an attendant remains on site in case there are any issues that arise. Restroom trailers are equipped with AC and heat for use during any times of year. Additionally, these restrooms are water saving units so while providing luxury and convenience you’ll also be going green! Using a restroom trailer makes you feel as though you are in someone’s luxurious, beautifully appointed bathroom. 

Septic System Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

• Have your septic system pumped and/or inspected annually.
• Keep a record of pumping and maintenance.
• Know where you septic system and drain field are.
• Keep a sketch of the system on hand.
• Compost your garbage rather than use a disposal if you have a septic system.
• Fix dripping faucets.
• Conserve water by taking shorter showers and turning off the water when washing dishes or brushing your teeth.

Don’t:

• Flush cat litter, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, or grease.
• Pour harsh chemicals down the drain.
• Don’t drive or park over any part of the septic system.
• Don’t dump non-degradables i.e. grease, diapers, hygiene products, plastics; or  poisons, i.e. gas, oil, paint, pesticides, etc. These items can harm useful bacteria that treats waste water

How many restrooms do I need? 

If you have a construction site and you don’t know how many portable toilets you need OSHA recommends one toilet for every 10 men/women over a 40 hour work week. At an event, you should have one toilet for every 50 people attending. If access to the restrooms is limited to certain time frame with in the event, such as intermission at a concert, lines may require a smaller ratio of toilets per attendees. When considering where to place the toilet or restroom in your yard for an event or on the job site, keep in mind that a truck must be able to pull with in 15ft of the unit to be able to pump it clean, a full toilet can not be moved manually. Restroom trailers need access to electricity and a water hose, but traditional portable toilets were designed for spaces without water or electricity. There are lighting sources available for these units however, so please ask if you are in need of them.

Septic System FAQ’s

We get many calls regarding our septic tank pumping services and on these calls we answer some of the same questions. There is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation out there, so here are some FAQ about septic systems:

Q. Why should I have my home septic system serviced? 
A. The tank is just one part of the entire septic system for you home. Neglecting the tank can result in entire system failure. A very costly problem. Q. How often should the tank be serviced? A. Annually.

Q. Why do I need it pumped annually?
A. Preventative maintenance can help you keep clear of massive costs due to system failure. It keeps the system healthy.

Q. What are the signs that my system may be in trouble?
A. Slow toilets and drains, grass that grows greener or faster in the leech field, foul odor in or around the house, plumbing back ups.

Q. How much do your services cost?
A. Our prices vary on the size of the project. Please call us for any other questions or costs.