Progress 07/13/98 to 07/12/04
Outputs
Onsite wastewater treatment systems are critical for providing wastewater infrastructure in rural and suburban areas. These systems must manage the wastewater generated in a facility. Loading rate information is not readily accessible for many commercial facilities. Therefore, many current designs have challenges handling the actual organic and hydraulic loads from the facilities. A survey was conducted evaluating 28 different restaurants for operational parameters, organic loading and hydraulic loading. These data were evaluated to determine means and general trends.
Impacts
Organic and hydraulic loading information will be available to assist in designing these facilities. The average organic loading rate was generally two to three times the current design values.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Natural resource protection is critical to maintaining a viable community. Water resources are needed to meet our personal, agricultural, economic development, wildlife and recreational demands. Effective management and utilization of these resources will ensure our future.
Impacts
Develoment of guidance documents describing the effective management of our water resources. Development of materials to assist people make informed decisions regarding the selection of their wastewater management infrastructure.
Publications
- Lesikar, B. J. 2002. Plugging Abandoned Water Wells. Texas Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet Number L-5413, TWRI 0102. January 2002.
- Lesikar, B. J., R. A. Kaiser and V. Silvy. 2002. Questions about Groundwater Conservation Districts. Texas Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet Number B-2222, TWRI 1302. May 2002.
- Lesikar, B.J, R A. Persyn, and V. Weynand. 2002. Effluent distribution uniformity in a drip system. National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Annual conference and exhibition. September 19-21, 2002. Kansas City, Missouri.
- Lesikar, B. J., K. Farrell-Poe, and D. Gustafson. 2002. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems: Overview of Septic Systems. Released as Video number SP-129 in VHS Format and Video number SP-132 in DVD Format. Texas Cooperative Extension. Texas A&M University System. College Station, Texas.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
On-site wastewater treatment systems are used to remove contaminants from residential and commercial facilities. Treatment systems are being evaluated to determine effectiveness in contaminant removal.
Impacts
Best management practices will be developed for management of residential and commercial wastewater. These systems will assist in addressing wastewater treatment needs in rural and suburban areas.
Publications
- Jnad, I., B.J. Lesikar, A. L. Kenimer, and G. Sabbagh. 2001. Subsurface drip dispersal of residential effluent: I. soil chemical characteristics. Trans. of ASAE. 44(5):1149-1157.
- Jnad, I., B.J. Lesikar, A. L. Kenimer, and G. Sabbagh. 2001. Subsurface drip dispersal of residential effluent: II. soil hydraulic characteristics. Trans. of ASAE. 44(5):1159-1165.
- Weaver, R.W., J.J. Lane, M.J. Johns. and B.J. Lesikar. 2001. Uptake of 15N by macrophytes in subsurface-flow wetlands treating domestic wastewater. Environmental Technology 22:837-843.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Wastewater treatment systems were evaluated for removal of contaminants from the water before it enters the receiving environment. Constructed wetland systems were used to remove organic matter, suspeneded and dissolved solids, and pathogens from the wastewater. An evaluation of the design criteria for the constructed wetland systems was conducted. Recommendations were developed for improving the design process. The water exiting the systems will be reused for landscape irrigation.
Impacts
This program is developing information necessary for evaluating management practices for treatment of wastewater. Environmental degradation will be reduced through implementation of the best management practices developed and evaluated through this program.
Publications
- Neralla, S., R.W. Weaver, B.J. Lesikar, and R.A. Persyn. 2000. Improvement of domestic wastewater quality by subsurface flow constructed wetlands. Bioresource Technology 75(2000):19-25.
- Koutny, J. L. 2000. Evaluation of the accuracy of the EPA Model for BOD5 Prediction in various climatic regions of Texas. Master of Science Thesis. Sterling C. Evans Library. College Station, Texas 77843. May 2000.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Water treatment systems are being evaluated for improvement of water quality. The water leaving our production systems contains contaminants which can degrade the ambient water quality. Constructed wetland systems have been used to treat the wastewater from several residences across the State of Texas and process water from horticultural production systems. The wetland systems have been documented to be removing the organic matter, solids and fecal coliforms from the systems. Data is being collected related to the mass of materials being removed by the wetland system for the purpose of modeling the mass removed per unit area of treatment. Constructed wetlands used for treatment of runoff water from a nursery are being evaluated removal of contaminants and improving the quality of the water for reuse.
Impacts
Natural resources are a limited but renewable resource. Management practices are being developed to protect our soil and water resources.
Publications
- Arnold, M.A., B.J. Lesikar, A.L. Kenimer, and D.C. Wilkerson. 1999. Spring Recovery of Constructed Wetland Plants Affects Nutrient Removal from Nursery Runoff. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 17(1):5-10.
- Neralla, S., R.W. Weaver, T.W. Varvel, and B.J. Lesikar. 1999. Phytoremediation and on-site treatment of septic effluents in sub-surface flow constructed wetlands. Environmental Technology. 20:1139-1146.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
Natural resource management is a critical issue for maintaining a sustainable system. The implications of our cultural practices on our natural resources need to be considered. Management of our wastewater from human and agricultural sources is critical. Comprehensive management of the pollutant sources in our watersheds must be achieved to sustain our resources. Training facilities and decision support systems are being developed to assist in management of our practices.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Loomis, G., M. Hoover, D. Sievers, B. Lesikar, and C. Bishop. 1998. Partnership Strategies for Establishing Onsite Wastewater Training Centers, 8th National Symposium on Individual and Small Community Sewage Systems, March 8-10, Orlando, Florida.
- Lenning, D., D. Dow, B. Lesikar, D. Lindo, and R. Miles. 1998. Training Center Design and Demonstration Techniques, 8th National Symposium on Individual and Small Community Sewage Systems, March 8-10, Orlando, Florida.
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