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(MG <br />TAP <br />Under^ondlng Floor Draih Systems <br />Minnesota Technical Assistancs Program ■ FACT SHEET <br />Basic utilities usiially are not diought about until <br />a problem arises. Plxunbing systems typically. <br />fvuKtion for many years without needing <br />attention. This fact sheet gives tips on <br />preventing plumbing problems. It focuses on <br />sewer traps (separators) and includes basic <br />mfonnation and single maintenaiKe ideas. <br />Whore Do Liquids GoT. <br />Many buildings have floor trench systems^ floor <br />drains, or wash and service bay areas udii^ <br />allow liquids to drain away. The Minnesota <br />Plvunbing Code provides specifications for <br />constructing and installing separators in fliese <br />buildings. These devices separate ax\d collect <br />flammable and oily waste from wastewater <br />before it enters fltc municipal sewer system. The <br />code applies to any business location where <br />flammable or oily liquid wastes are produced— <br />including: <br />1) enclo^ garages over 1,(XX) square feet; <br />2) vehicle maintenance or washing operations, or <br />3) garages housing more than four vehicles. <br />NOTE: Buildings not connected to a municipal <br />sewer system generally use on-site wastewater <br />treatment, such as a sepdc system, drainfield or <br />drywell. Contact the Minnesota Pollution <br />Control Agency (MPCA) at 612/297-7574 or 800/ <br />657-3864 for fact sheets and information on <br />regulatory requirements for discharging into <br />these kinds of systems. Generally, businesses <br />with on-site systems are permitted very limited <br />discharge. <br />How do Separators Work?. <br />A separator uses gravity to separate liquids fluit <br />float (like oils, fuels and other petroleum <br />products) and problem wastes (like sand axui <br />sludge) horn wastewater before it enters a sewer. <br />Paget <br />Sewer <br />Sjstem <br />When wastewater collects in the separator <br />petroleum products collect on top and heavy <br />materials settle to the bottom. The water is <br />discharged at a height between the outlet and <br />inlet pipes. <br />If a separator is not used, petroleum products <br />could accumulate in a sewer systeov which <br />could resxilt in a high cotKentration of explosive <br />vapors in the sewer Or the petroleum wastes or <br />other solids could plug the sewer. <br />Why Maintain Separators? <br />Sooner or later, too much oil and/or sludge <br />accumulates in the sewer trap, causing <br />contaminants to discharge with the wastewater <br />or plug die sewer trap outlet When this <br />happens, you have problems, such as full floor <br />trend\es, backed up sewer discharge or <br />authorities investigating contaminant sources. <br />To fix diis problem, you will need to: 1) identify <br />the separator location, 2) assess the problem and <br />probably hire a dean out service, and 3) arrange <br />for proper dispesaL <br />(omHmmD <br />MnlV « MM I |fM tarn M UwiiMi Offlu t( £mwn«MH <br />MfflMMti fnm Mnne AneMMMMMMlimMiMMntHMl <br />aMUMti%gtUMttaa.Scraai3iPbBlcMafl)L Oi9M MnTM <br />Mw OR iKydM Rinr ewanne 1 nAMtm or in «to. <br />MnTAP • 1313 5tb Street SE. Suite 207 • Minneapolis, • Mirresota 554144504 <br />612/6274646 • 800/247-0015 (Minnesota only) • FAX r 2'6274769 <br />i <br />■ <br />p