Frequently Asked Questions

Q-1      How affordable is SludgeHammer?

Q-1a     Our product is relatively inexpensive to begin with.  Compared to shoreline repairs (which may exceed $30,000) the SludgeHammer S-46 is a bargain at $3,950 + installation + tax & permit (suggested list price, installation can be as low as $500).

Q-1b     Visa & MasterCard are accepted by NET Septic as a payment option.  If you are collecting frequent flyer miles this is a great way to go.

Q-2     How is SludgeHammer different?

A-2a     We use the Complex Biology of Nature's Ecosystem Process, instead of Complex Technology.  There is only one moving part in our product - the economical diaphragm air pump that supplies the growing unit with oxygen.  Our biology is so effective we don't need to rely on expensive-to-maintain gadgets.  Drain-field failure is a biological problem, not a mechanical problem.  Now we have a biological solution.

Another important difference is our device fits into your existing septic tank.  You don't need a series of new tanks, pumps and blowers to do the job.  This is why we can keep your costs low and still have such a good result.  We retro-fit your existing tank and save you the heartache & expense of having to re-landscape your yard.  Think of SludgeHammer as a "companion technology" for your existing septic system which will improve your system's performance.

Q-3     Has SludgeHammer been tested?

A-3a     YES!  SludgeHammer (originally called Pirana) was tested by IAPMO R&T which tests, Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) devices and fixtures.  UPC Listing is an important consumer protection safeguard!  The Standard to which our product was tested is the IGC 180-2003 Standard for the Aerobic Bacteria Generator (the technical name for our product).  The manufacturer had to prove that it was better at restoring a drain-field compared to an Aerobic Treatment Unit (which uses old NSF-40 Standard).

Unlike the NSF-40 test, our product was tested to see if would recover a failed drainfield more quickly than just using the aerobic-mode only, and it did!  Drainfield recovery has never been written into a Standard until now.  You can purchase our product with confidence.  Look for the UPC seal on any product claiming to be able to recover you drain-field.

Visit http://www.ansi.org/ and click "E-Standards Store"  Next, type in "IGC 180-2003" into the "Search Standards" box.  You can purchase a copy of the new bioremediation standard from ANSI.  Or View the current listing on the Official IAPMO Site

A-3b     Look for the UPC Seal   There are copy-cat products that are not UPC listed.  The UPC Seal means SludgeHammer is tested and meets the performance criteria set down in the IGC 180-2003 Standard.  Any other product which meets the same criteria will also be listed in the same manner.  If a product is NOT UPC-listed, it has no valid claim that they are "just another version of SludgeHammer".  Don't fall victim to false advertising.

A-3c     SludgeHammer Blend (formally Pirana Blend) meets all the requirements of WAC 246-272 (Additive Regulations) for sale in Washington State.  The State of Washington does not endorse any additive product or verify any product claims but it does evaluate additive products and their method of product application to block harmful product from sale in WA State.  Alaska's code recognizes the UPC for septic systems (Washington does not).  Oregon does not regulate "additives" and SludgeHammer does not come under any code requirements applicable to repair or alterations.  Local or regional Health Jurisdictions may interpret their codes differently or add their own requirements.

Q-4     What happens when the power goes out?

A-4     SludgeHammer microbes will do just fine.  Our "bugs" will survive the power outage without difficult.  When the power comes back on they jump right in and continue their cleaning job.  As a matter of fact, when the power goes out and the air pump is off, they switch to a natural fermentation way of digesting drain-field slime.  Practically nothing will stop them!

Q-5     Why do you call SludgeHammer a FISH FRIENDLY solution?

A-5a     Scientifically Tested.  The State of Florida required the manufacturer (when we were known as Pirana) to run a Scientific Test know commonly as the flathead minnow assay.  Normally the test results in 1/2 of the test fish dying, in order to calculate the Lethal Dose - 50% (the LD-50).  When the third-party testing firm ran the test they called up Dr. Dan Wickham (the inventor) and said "we have a problem, we haven't seen any of the fish die."  Dan's response was "you call that a problem?!"  They kind of got the point and simply reported zero fish mortality in their report:

A-5b     Union, WA 2005 - We put SludgeHammer to the Ultimate FISH FRIENDLY test!  In 2005 at our first SludgeHammer installed on a residence, I kept a goldfish inside the "septic" tank for a two-month ad hoc "fish friendly test."  That fish is still alive in 2008, and is as happy as ever in my backyard pond.  We are not the first SludgeHammer example of growing fish in unusual places (septic tanks or sludge ponds) but we are proud to be the first in the North West and in our very first installation in Union, WA.

A-5c     There are many additional FISH FRIENDLY aspect to SludgeHammer.

1. Remarkable Denitrification.

2. Prevents & Reverses septic Biomat Drain-field Failures.

3. Fits your existing septic tank (no new tanks needed).

4. No landscape damage means no erosion from heavy equipment damaging your property.

5. Effective fecal coliform elimination, without harsh chemicals.

Links:

The Manufacturer's web site www.SludgeHammer.net

New Mexico SludgeHammer Dealer  www.earthwrights.com/links.html

Subsurface Drip Systems by Geoflow  http://www.geoflow.com

Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen http://www.hoodcanal.washington.edu/

Puget Sound Partnership http://www.psp.wa.gov/pugetsound.html

WA Department of Ecology (TMDL) http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/index.html

Henderson Inlet (Thurston Co.) TMDL info http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehrp/henderson.html

• SludgeHammer Blend (originally Pirana Blend) has been approved for sale, use and distribution in WA State since 2004 http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/ww/pubs-ww-products.htm

• Use of SludgeHammer's Aerobic Bacteria Generator is authorized under the Department of Health Remediation RS&G Document http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/ww/pubs-ww-rsg.htm

• SludgeHammer is a Listed Plumbing Fixture View the current listing on the Official IAPMO Site

Downloads:

Product Spec Sheets images/TechSheet-Oct07Final1.pdf AND images/TechSheet-Oct07Final2.pdf

Engineers Resource List  Eng Resource List

New Mexico Gov's Report    images/Paper NM Gov's project.pdf

Fecal coliform reductions  images/fecal colif spreadsheet Buzzards Bay.xls

fecal coliform data used for WI State approval Mar-08  images/Wisconsin fecal for S-86.xls

High-Strength photos/High Strength Santa Rosa Synopsis.xls AND photos/High Strength Grayland 6 19 07.xls

Power Consumption Comparison  photos/treatment unit comparison watts.xls

Wastewater Harvesting    Wastewater Harvesting

Don't see an answer to your question? 

Call 360-923-1080 for more information. 

New email is morse.remediation@gmail.com

Updated 3-9-10