Mr.

J Cunningham

Drain Testing
Drains should be tested for water tightness before being
backfilled. There are three tests that can be carried out
to check for leaks in the system.

Pressure test

Pressure Test
This test is carried out to
determine if there is a leak in the
system.
Both ends of the drain are sealed,
air is pumped into the drain to a
certain pressure as indicated on a
pressure gauge
The pump is turned off and the
pressure gauge is monitored
If the pressure drops, there is a leak in the drain

Water Test
This test is carried out to determine the amount of a leak in
the system...Both ends of the drain are sealed.

Water Test
Water is pumped in to completely fill the drain and a stand
pipe is attached to the drain.

Water Test
The level of the water in the stand pipe is topped up after 2
hours and then monitored.

Water Test
If the level drops further, the volume of water leaking can
be read.

Water Test
Leakage should not exceed 0.05l per meter run of 100mm.

Smoke Test
This test is carried out to determine the location of a leak in the
system.

Smoke Test
Both ends of the drain are sealed, Coloured smoke is pumped into drain
under pressure & the smoke emerges from the drain where the leak is.

Underground Drainage
The purpose Underground drainage is to
transport wastewater from a building to a
treatment facility. This can be either:

Local Authority Treatment Facility- Urban

(Main Sewer)
OR
Private Residence Treatment System-Rural
(i.e. Septic Tank & Percolation Area)

Local Authority Treatment Facility

Private Residence Treatment System

Ground Level Percolation Area

Elevated Percolation Area

Percolation Area

Raised Percolation Bed

Percolation Area

Percolation
Bed

Percolation Area

These pipes have three 8mm perforations every 75mm along

the length of the pipe to allow the wastewater to seep out

Percolation Area

7m
10m

3m

Perforated Pipe

4 Percolation Pipe

Perforated Pipe

4 Slotted
Percolation
Pipe

Perforated Pipe

Perforated Pipe

Perforated Pipe

Roll Packed

Perforated Pipe

Slots

Percolation Test
This test is to be carried out before planning
permission can be granted in order to examine the
drainage potential of the soil in the site.

Percolation Test
It measures how long it takes for a specific volume
of water to be absorbed by the soil at a certain
depth

Percolation Test
If the water is absorbed either too slowly or too
quickly, it indicates that a standard drainage system
might not be sufficient to fully purify the waste.

Percolation Test
T Test tests the suitability of the subsoil at depths
greater than 400mm below the ground level

Percolation Test
P test is carried out at ground level

Percolation Test

A hole is dug on site, should measure 300mmx300mmx400mm

deep & filled with clean water until the surrounding soil is
saturated
The water level should then be topped up and time recorded for
the level to drop by 100mm

Percolation Test
The water level should be topped up twice more and the
time for it to drop by 100mm recorded again and then an
average time can then be determined

Percolation Test
The average time recorded should be divided by 4 to
determine how long it takes for the level to drop by 25mm
This is recorded as the percolation value & if it is less
than 4 or greater than 60 the result is a fail

Percolation Test

Flooded Trial Hole

Wetland Wastewater Treatment

In sites where a conventional percolation area would be insufficient to

purify the contaminated water from a septic tank, a wetland treatment
system can be constructed.

Wetland Wastewater Treatment

This consists of an area of reeds planted in a gravel pit. The waste water
flows from the tank into the reed bed where the aerobic bacteria break
down the contaminates.

Wetland Wastewater Treatment

Reeds release oxygen through their roots,
promoting the growth of aerobic bacteria.

Wetland Wastewater Treatment

The reed beds should be inspected regularly Over time, the gravel becomes
clogged with solids from the waste water and will have to be replaced.

Wetland Wastewater Treatment

Wetland Wastewater Treatment

Intermittent Filter System

The PurafloTM system developed by Bord na Mona is an intermittent filter
system. It is a plastic tank about 700mm deep filled with compressed peat.
The holes at the bottom allow the purified water drain out onto the
hardcore base.
The peat filter has to be replaced every few years as the peat becomes
clogged.
These systems are expensive and energy dependent but clean the waste
water very effectively.

Intermittent Filter System

Because
wetland
systems require a lot
of
space,
an
intermittent
filter
system can be used
instead.
These are filters
made of soil, peat or
sand through which
contaminated water
percolates slowly.

Intermittent Filter System

Bacteria in the filter
material break down any
waste particles.
The waste water is
stored in a pumping
chamber and is pumped
to the filter 3-4 times a
day.
Sensors are used in the
pumping chamber to
switch on and off the
pump as required.

PurafloTM System

Waste water enters the top of the tank through the perforated pipes
to allow the water to drain down through the peat.

PurafloTM System

Intermittent pumping chamber

Intermittent Filter System

Exam Questions 2004 HL

Exam Questions 2005 HL

Exam Questions 2006 HL