Advanced Treatment Avoids Mammoth Lakes Groundwater Gunk

From a bone-chilling porta-potty to a comfortable commode.

In Mammoth Lakes, California, Darren Twilegar, a local contractor who excavates in the summer and does snow removal in the winter, needed to add living quarters to his business for the blizzardy nights when travel is impossible.

It’s typical during the winter for US Highway 395, the main entrance in and out of town, to get completely shut down due to hazardous driving conditions. This kind of weather is a major hassle for Twilegar’s employees, most of whom live about 40 miles south of Mammoth Lakes in Bishop, California. Hence, the need for an apartment.

Of course, the addition of a bedroom means the addition of a bathroom. But that’s okay, replacing the tiny 4′ x 4′ porta-potty they’ve been using with an actual bathroom in a heated building is like a godsend on those frigid winter mornings.

But there were two issues.

First, being just outside of town, Twilegar could not connect to the sewer system. No problem, get a septic tank.

But the second problem was a tad bit trickier.

“This particular site is in a 20 foot hole, which was part of the agreement to build the business park here, so it’s not supposed to be visible from the highway,” says Twilegar, Owner of Rock-N-Dirt Inc. “And since this location is 20 feet down, the water table is super close. So, we need an advanced treatment system because the effluent is basically treated once it gets discharged to keep from polluting any groundwater of any kind.”

This is especially critical because the business park relies on well water, which comes directly from that same groundwater. So, making sure you’re not pumping pollutants into Mother Earth is not only smart, it’s essential.

Space was another factor. The parcels in this park are small and tightly packed, so having a compact leach field is a huge plus. With an advanced treatment system, the treated water is so clean that it requires much less space to safely absorb.

Lastly, sourcing the entire system, from septic tanks to treatment units, from one supplier made installation simple and cost-effective.

“This system comes 100 percent delivered in one truck load,” says Twilegar. “As opposed to getting tanks from somewhere and hiring someone to install the bio-microbial parts, this is one shot deal. Which is just a way better deal for us.”

Learn more about the benefits of Jensen’s Advanced Treatment System and request a quote for your next onsite wastewater project.