Replacement parts advice for garbage disposers and grinders
Questions & answers about garbage disposers/grinders
Here is a homeowner's guide to use of garbage disposers or garbage grinders at buildings served by city or municipal sewer systems.
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SEWER SYSTEMS & GARBAGE GRINDERS - Garbage Disposal Unit Effects on Public Sewer Systems
Garbage disposal units, also called garbage grinders, food waste disposal units, or garbage disposers add to the solid load in
the septic tank. A garbage grinder is a mechanical grinder which receives food scraps, typically
down a kitchen sink drain, and grinds them into a water/debris slurry that can pass down the
building drain. Both electric and water-powered garbage grinders are available.
While garbage grinders are a convenience for the homeowner, the added waste they
place in the septic tank might mean that the septic tank needs to be pumped more often.
Photo courtesy of InSinkErator™. The garbage disposal unit shown is their Evolution Septic Assist(TM) that includes
an enzyme injector for use with private septic systems. However depending on local municipal ordinances regarding use of garbage disposal units in cities and towns, this unit and similar models might be found installed in homes served by municipal sewers as well.
While garbage grinders can cause an added loading on conventional, residential, on-site septic systems,
their use is not necessarily bad in municipal sewer systems according to some researchers, as indicated
in the article abstract quoted below. Other studies of the effects of garbage disposers on municipal
sewers have been conducted by various groups including the University of Wisconsin, Delft University Netherlands, and
the Cooperative Research Centre, in Sydney, Australia, and the New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection
Most cities served by municipal sewers `in the U.S. permit the use of garbage disposals
and some cities require their use. Using a kitchen disposer or grinder in cities served by a municipal sewer
reduce the volume of organic waste which otherwise has to be hauled to a landfill. Cities in the U.S. and
other countries are inconsistent in their view of the use of garbage disposers. New York City now (since 1977) permits
their use on residential buildings. Austin Texas has a rebate program to convert garbage disposer use in food service
businesses to a scrap bin system.
Rules for Use of Garbage Disposers in New York City
New York City, which used
to prohibit the use of these devices legalized their use in 1997, out of concern for the increasing volume
of garbage in the city, and in the face of inconclusive test results about their effect on the sewer system.
There has been episodic debate over the question of whether or not garbage disposals clog municipal sewer lines & systems. The New York Times reported in2009 that a New York City ban on residential disposals in effect from 1971 was lifted in 1997 after a two year test convinced the NYC DEP that in New York City residential garbage disposals were not causing a problem. In New York City restaurants are prohibited from using garbage grinders and disposal units, and co-ops and condominium boards are allowed to restrict their use as well.
According to Bolzonella et als., "The use of garbage grinders is not a usual practice in Europe, but it is in other countries around the world (e.g., North America, Japan and Australia). Sometimes, garbage grinders are accused of producing problems in sewers and wastewater treatment plants and are prohibited by environmental protection laws. In this study, the different impacts determined by the use of this technology were considered to show the positive impacts of its use.
In particular, it was shown that garbage grinders enable the disposal of household organic wastes with advantages for the wastewater treatment processes because of an increase in the carbon/nutrients ratio in the wastewater. This is particularly important for biological nutrients removal processes. Daily specific contributions for person equivalent (PE) due to organic waste disposal through garbage grinders were found to be equal to 75 gCODPE(-1) d(-1) for carbon (as COD), 2.5 gNPE(-1) d(-1) for nitrogen and 0.25 gPPE(-1) d(-1) for phosphorous, respectively.
Those
determined a value of 30 for the COD/N ratio. Moreover, no problems with solids settling in sewers were noted. These results were extensively compared with literature data. The economical balance showed that the use of garbage grinders allowed a global saving of some 17 Euro year(-1) for a three people family. Important benefits are also gained from an environmental point of view (e.g., organic wastes disposal nutrients removal in wastewater treatment and increase in biogas production with energy reclamation)."
Questions & Answers regarding this article
Questions & answers about garbage disposers/grinders
Question: replacing the garbage disposer upper rubber splash guard or sound baffle
What is the rubber fingered insert called that goes in the top of disposals to prevent food debris from splashing back and discourages utensils from falling in? -
Ken Zenzel
Reply:
G.D. ,
the garbage disposer part you are asking about is described as a garbage disposer upper rubber splash guard and stopper or in some repair parts lists for garbage disposers it's called the rubber sound baffle/splash guard.
If you are replacing this part you should order both the new disposer splash guard and a new disposer stopper at the same time so that both parts fit nicely with minimum leakage.
According to our own research, replacement garbage disposer stoppers cost less than $10. U.S. and are availagble to fit just about every unit including, for example: Legend, WasteKing, Sinkmaster, Bone Crusher, and Whirlaway disposals that have the "EZ mount" system, except batch feed models which need to use a different stopper. [1]
To find these parts online just search on "garbage disposer replacement parts" or take a look at the parts explosion in your own garbage disposer installation manual. If you have that document you will also find a part name, part number, and usually an 800 - telephone number for ordering OEM replacement parts from your own garbage disposer manufacturer.
Watch out: on some garbage disposers including Waste King[1], to replace the splash guard you may need to disassemble and replace the sink bottom mounting flange assembly. On other models the rubber splash guard is a press-fit part.
Watch out: the rubber splash guard is just that - a splash guard. It is not an assurance that a spoon or other utensil won't fall into and smash up the garbage disposer internals.
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Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
[1] Waste King garbage disposer product specifications, Anaheim Manufacturing
4240 E. La Palma Avenue • Anaheim, California 92807
(800) 854-3229
www.wasteking.com, and also garbage disposer replacement parts list, web search 08/11/2010, original source: Waste King disposer parts, http://www.plumbingsupply.com/disposer.html
Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for Septic Tanks: When, How, What to Watch For when pumping or cleaning septic tanks
New York Times: "Bigger Muscle for the Disposal", Jay Romano, New York Times, 2/26/2009 p. D2.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Special Issues Fact Sheet 2 EPA 625/R-00/008 - original citation: http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/625r00008/html/fs2.htm
Andress, S., and C. Jordan. 1998. Onsite Sewage Systems. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Civil Engineering, Blacksburg, VA.
Hazeltine, T.R. 1951. Addition of garbage to sewage. Water & Sewage Works, pp. 151-154. Annual compilation, 1951.
Jensen, P.D., and R.L. Siegrist. 1991. Integrated Loading Rate Determination for Wastewater Infiltration System Sizing. In Proceedings of Sixth Onsite Wastewater Treatment Symposium. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
Mancl, K.M. 1998. Septic Tank Maintenance. Ohio State University Extension publication AEX-740-98. Ohio State University, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Columbus, OH.
Rawn, A.M. 1951. Some effects of home garbage grinding upon domestic sewage. American City, March, pp.110-111.
Siegrist, R.L. 1987. Hydraulic Loading Rates for Soil Absorption Systems Based on Wastewater Quality. In Proceedings of the Fifth Onsite Wastewater Treatment Symposium. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
Siegrist, R.L., D.L. Anderson, and J.C. Convene. 1984. Commercial Wastewater Onsite Treatment Symposium. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
Stuth, W.L. 1992. Treating Commercial High-Strength Waste. In Proceedings of Seventh Northwest On-Site Wastewater Treatment Short Course. University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Tyler, E.J., and J.C. Converse. 1994. Soil Acceptance of Onsite Wastewater as Affected by Soil Morphology and Wastewater Quality. In Proceedings of Seventh Onsite Wastewater Treatment Symposium. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
University of Wisconsin. 1978. Management of Small Waste Flows. USEPA/600/2-78-73. September, 1978. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH.
"[The] under sink garbage grinder: a friendly technology for the environment",
Bolzonella D, Pavan P, Battistoni P, Cecchi F.,
Department of Science and Technology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, I-37134 Verona, Italy, Environmental Technology, 2003 Mar;24(3):349-59, abstract and article also available from the U.S. NIH at
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389
(2006), Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies.
Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going
for homeowners but is a text we recommend for professionals--DF.
Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
"International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
"Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill. Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers: * Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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