Recently
Fripp Island faced a significant environmental problem. Many of the
homes on the island were served by leaky, ineffective septic tanks
that were allowing untreated sewage to pollute groundwater and local
shell fishing areas. Poor soil conditions resulted in county and state
officials prohibiting septic tanks on a number of properties.
Like many seaside communities, Fripp Island has
flat topography, sandy soil and a water table that is only a few feet
below the surface. These circumstances can make gravity sewer installation
very expensive. This is especially true on Fripp Island, an exclusive
gated community with high property values.
The expense of gravity sewers led the engineering
firm of Hussy, Gay, Bell and DeYoung to look very closely at other
alternatives. The engineers did a 20-year life cycle analysis that
took into account not only capital costs but annual operation and maintenance
costs, as well. Their conclusion: the clear choice was AIRVAC vacuum
sewer technology.
The
installation of Fripp Island’s vacuum sewer system created very
little disruption for the residents of the island. Only one vacuum station
was required to serve approximately 770 homes in the area. There was
no loss of service during installation, no interference with emergency
services and very little inconvenience to island residents.
Oceanfront
communities like Fripp Island are subjected to hurricanes and fierce
storms from time to time, so they sometimes lose electrical power. The
Fripp Island vacuum station is equipped with a backup generator that
will keep the sewer system operational even during power outages.
Fripp
Island’s vacuum sewer provides several important benefits to the
community aside from just sewer conveyance. The new sewer protects the
environment, for both the shell fishermen and those who enjoy recreational
water sports. It also protects property values. Homeowners replaced ineffective
septic tanks with a modern sewer system that is environmentally friendly,
quiet, non-disruptive and easy to maintain. From every standpoint, Fripp
Island got excellent value for their sewer investment.
This article appeared in the January-February, 2008 issue of Government
Engineering. If you would like to read the entire story as it appeared
in the magazine, you can download
a pdf, or you may request
hard copies.
Oceanfront
communities like Fripp Island are subjected to hurricanes and fierce
storms from time to time, so they sometimes lose electrical power. The
Fripp Island vacuum station is equipped with a backup generator that
will keep the sewer system operational even during power outages.