Septic Systems Project Showcase

History
The Boulder Junction School septic system served the school since 1970. The school had undergone several expansions. Increased student population had not been matched with additional septic system capacity. School district administration and maintenance staff were aware of the septic system operational problems. The septic fields were ponded with effluent and the tanks had to be pumped and hauled by trucks to keep the system operational.

Preliminary Engineering

• Existing septic system evaluation
• Developed/implemented a flow monitoring program
• Replacement system soil evaluation

Owner's Criteria

• System capacity should be based on 260 students to allow for a small increase from the existing student population of 242 students
• Existing school playground space could not be decreased
• A construction budget of $128,200.00 was established
• Construction could not disrupt school activities
• All old system tanks, manholes and the lift station were to be abandoned

Design

• 260 student replacement system design
• Septic system designed under playground
• Playground did not have any manholes or pipe above ground grade
• Playground use minimized tree removal
• Alternative designs provided bid options that increased contractor interest and increased competition between material suppliers
  

Bidding

• State plan approvals were received in December 2000
• Bids were opened in February of 2001
• The low bid was $101,800.00
• Contracts were signed based on construction beginning in June of 2001 after school closed for the summer

Construction

• Construction was completed in the summer of 2001 before school reopened in the fall
• Baudhuin Incorporated provided construction control for the contractor's placement of system components
• Baudhuin Incorporated served as the school district's representative during construction
• Baudhuin Incorporated conducted start-up and testing of the system prior to placing it in operation

Post Construction

• Baudhuin Incorporated provided operation and maintenance forms and procedures to the school
• School maintenance staff was trained in routine maintenance procedures

Summary

• The Boulder Junction School has a new septic system
• It has new septic tanks, a grease interceptor for kitchen wastewater, a septic system dose tank, pumps, control panels, sewers and disposal field
• Monitoring allowed the disposal field to be decreased in size by 28% from state code requirements while still having capacity for an increase in student enrollment
• Construction change orders totaled 2.3% of the original contract
• Construction was completed at 18.8% below the construction budget

"Baudhuin Incorporated did what it said it was going to do at less than what it said it was going to cost." * School Board Member

For additional septic system information contact wbaudhuin@baudhuin.com