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SEPTIC, WATER & EXCAVATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Our company is dedicated to educating our clients to leave them feeling informed about their septic system, water system or excavation project. For any unanswered questions, please reach out and provide us with the opportunity to help you. With over 30+ years in septic, water and excavation, we have a knowledgeable team at your service!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Septic Systems . Excavation . Water Storage Tanks . Hook Ups

Got more questions? You can reach our office at 780-719-9000.

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  • What is a septic tank?

    A septic tank is a concrete container or storage tank used to collect septic waste and wastewater for the purposes of treating it for safe release back into the soil. The bacterial microorganisms within the tank break down waste into sludge and effluent. Effluent is moved through the tank system before moving towards the soil treatment system for release. 

  • Is installing a septic tank the right choice for my private septic system?

    Private septic systems are required as part of rural living and working in Alberta. Without access to tie into the county or municipal wastewater treatment systems, a property owner must manage the safe disposal of septic waste and wastewater. A septic tank provides a property to treat and manage their own septic waste safely. At Ground Effects Septic & Excavation Ltd., we install septic tank systems to assist our neighbours in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain & Parkland County with these treatment requirements.  

  • What is a holding tank?

    A holding tank, similar to a septic tank, is used to collect and store waste from a residence or commercial property. It is a contained tank that requires pumping services to be emptied. It does not self-release and must be vacuum pumped when the holding tank alarm goes off.  

  • Why install a packaged sewage treatment plant?

    Packaged sewage treatment plants are multi-tank septic systems that consist of three or more compartments. The additional compartments are more thoroughly able to separate the septic waste and wastewater. As the effluent passes through each compartment more and more sludge settles to the bottom. With less sludge present in the effluent that is released into the soil makes this an environmentally friendly solution to treat septic waste. 

  • What is soil-based treatment?

    Soil based treatment systems are used to release effluent back into the environment after moving through a septic waste system. Alberta communities, like ours in Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, and Parkland County, most commonly use an at-grade, mound, leach field or drain field for this slow release. This is the last step in the septic system after moving from your home, through the septic tank to its final release into the earth.  

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  • Why is AT-Grade the preferred option on acreages in Alberta?

    At-grade soil-based treatment fields require a larger area of clearance to meet regulatory requirements, however, are the most cost-effective solution. They are easier to install and maintain than other styles of drainage fields.  

  • What does a leach or drainage field system consist of?

    Used to release liquid wastewater, also known as effluent, back into the ground is called a leach field. We are often asked about the difference between a drain field and a leach field, well, they are one in the same. In an excavated section of land, pipes, trenches and gravel, effluent from a septic tank or packaged sewage treatment plant is released back into the environment. This step is an important part of safe septic treatment and management to protect the environment and local wildlife. 

  • What is the purpose of a septic pump and how does it work?

    The septic pumps we install are used to push wastewater through the system. It uses a small impeller to create the force needed to push the effluent upward to a higher level. Septic pumps are also referred to as sewer pumps. They are used in septic tanks or sewage treatment plant septic tanks. It is a submersible pump that is capable of moving septic wastewater. Ground Effects Septic & Excavation knows how to properly size a pump, replace and install pumps for all your septic needs.  

  • What are the signs my septic pump needs to be replaced?

    The first major sign your pump may need replacement is the septic alarm going off. If the alarm is ringing, give us a call right away to avoid possible property damage, flooding or costly septic system repairs. Additional signs include pooling water above or near your septic system, foul smells outside, slow draining sinks and appliances, or sewage is backing up. 

  • What turns my septic pump on and off?

    Septic or sewer pumps have a float mechanism that turns the pump on and off when the effluent wastewater level rises. If the float isn’t working, you may need to replace the whole pump. Our team focuses on repairs before replacement services, but sometimes it's unavoidable.  

  • Is my cistern at risk of freezing in the winter?

    Cisterns are strategically designed to store water year-round and in Alberta that means they are always installed below the freezing point to avoid damage caused from freezing lines. A cistern system includes the water pipes, tank, and access point, all of which must be protected from our harsh weather. As a result of this protection from freezing, it effectively keeps your water cool in the hot summer months. 

  • What can I collect and store in my cistern?

    It’s recommended to use your cistern for collecting rainwater, well water or having potable water delivered for storage in your cistern tank. Collecting rainwater or water harvesting is an environmentally friendly option that uses natural water resources to convert into drinking water. Water collected from a well provides consistent water and effectively reduces the demand on your water pump and pressure system.  

  • Does Ground Effects Septic & Excavation Ltd. follow all safety guidelines?

    We always put safety first! With no unnecessary risks taken, we promote safe work techniques and safety procedures on all worksites.  

  • Is channeling an effective solution to improve drainage on my property?

    While water is a necessary resource for Albertan rural living and working, it can be a detriment to your property if it’s pooling or collecting where we don’t want it. Channeling is a technique we use to direct the flow of water away from a specific area. We dig a trench with the slope and grade needed to move the water from point A to point B. In some cases, a channel is used to redirect water to an area where you need water from an area with an abundance of it. For drainage or irrigation questions surrounding water movement on your property, reach out to Ground Effects Septic & Excavation today. 

  • Parkland County

    Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Spring Lake, Betula Beach, Kapasiwin, Lakeview, Point Alison, Seba Beach, Carvel, Duffield, Entwistle, Fallis, Gainford, Keephills, Tomahawk, Wabamun, Acheson, Alpine Acres, Amisk Acres, Annaliesa Estates, Anne Dale Acres, Arrowhead Estates, Ascot Beach, Ashwood Meadows, Aspen Estates, Aspen Hills, Avondale Acres, Avondale Estates, Banksiana Ranch, Beach Corner, Beach Corner Heights, Beau Rand Estates, Beaver Brook Park, Beaverbrook, Bell Acres, Bergman Estates, Birch Estates, Birch Hill Park, Birch Hills, Birch Street Estates, Bonnie Acres, Bowen Lake Estates, Bridgewater Properties, Brightbank, Brightbank Estates, Broken Wheel Ranches, Brookside Estates, Burtonsville, Cameron Heights, Cameron Lake Estates, Canterbury Estates, Carvel Corner, Cedar Heights, Central Heights, Chateau Heights, Chelsea Estates, Cherlyn Heights, Cheryl Heights, Chickadoo Estates, Chickakoo Estates, Clear Lake Estates, Clearwater Estates, Cole Anne Heights, Cottage Lake Heights, Country Lane Estates, Crystal Meadows, Dartmoor Meadow, Dawn Valley, Deer Lake Estates, Deer Park, Delta Estates, Devon Ridge Estates, Devonshire Grove, Devonshire Meadows, Double You Ranch, Douglas Meadows, Duffield Downs, East Eighty Estates, Eden Park Estates, Edgemont Ridge, Edgewood Acres, Edinburgh Park, Erin Estates, Eureka Beach, Exelsior Park, Falcon Hills, Fernwood Estates, Fleming Park, Forest Heights, Freeman, Garden Grove Estates, Gardner's Cove, Genesse Park, Glenwood Estates, Glory Hills Estates, Golden Acres, Golden Spike, Graminia, Grand River Valley, Grandmuir Estates, Green Acre Estates, Greenfield Acres, Grove Acres, Hacienda Estates, Happy Acres, Harder Acres, Harris Acres, Heatherlea, Helenslea Estates, Hennic Acres, Highland Acres, Highvale, Hillside Estates, Hilltop Acres, Hillview Estates, Holborn, Horen, Horizon West, Hubbles Lake or Hubble Lake Subdivision, Huntington Heights, Hycrest Place, J. C.'s Ranch, Jay Haven, Jesperview Heights, Johnny's Estates, Johnny's Lake Estates, Kathmarcan Estates, Kilini Ridge, Kolba Estates, Kolga Estates, Lake Country Estates, Lake Crest, Lake Isle Estates, Lakeside Park, Lamorr Landing Estates, Landmark Estates, Langford Park, Lincolnshire Downs, Linden Acres, Magnolia, Magnolia Bridge, Mallard Park, Manly, Manly Corner, Manuan Lake, Marine Drive Estates, Marra Kesh Estates, Maude West, Mayatan Lake Estates, Mayfair Heights, Meadow Crest, Meadow Grove Estates, Meadow Ridge, Meadow Run, Meadowview Park, Meridian Estates, Meso West or Messo West, Mewassin, Michael Park, Michel Park, Millham Gardens, Moon Lake, Neutral Valley, Norris Acres, North Side Acres, Northleigh, Northridge Meadows, Oakwood Estates, Old Entwistle, Osborne Acres, Panorama Heights, Paramac Cove, Paramac Point, Park Ridge Heights, Parkland Heights, Parkland Village, Parkland Village Trailer Ct. North, Parkland Village Trailer Ct. South, Parklane Acres, Parkview Estates, Parmac Cove, Parmac Point, Partridge Heights, Partridge Place, Patricia Hills, Peter Burn Estate, Pine Valley Acres Subdivision, Pinewood Subdivision, Poplar Grove, Prestige Heights, Princess Estates, Richie's Point, Ridgewood Estates, Riverview Acres, Rizzie's Point, Rolling Heights, Rolling Hills, Rolling Meadows, Rolling View Estates, Rosewood Beach, Roslaire Estates, Royal Park, Sandy Heights, Sandy Ridge, Scenic View Estates, Shady Acres, Shannon Meadows, Sherwin, Silver Bell Estates, Silver Bell Heights, Silver Diamond Estates, Silver Sands Estates, Singer Acres, Singing Hill Estates, Skyline Gardens, Smithfield, Sorensens Park, South Parkdale, South Seba Beach, South Woodland Acres, Spanish Oaks, Spring Hills, Spruce Bluff, Spruce Ridge, Spruce Valley Estates, Sprucehill Park, Star Lake, Star Lake Estates, Stony Brook Gardens, Stonybrook Gardens, Summer View Heights, Sundance Power Plant, Sundance, Sundance Meadows, Sundown Estates, Sunnyside Park, Sunset View Acres, Surrey Lane Acreages, Swiss Valley, Terralta Estates, Tower Acres, Trafalgar Heights, Tranquility Hills, Twin Ravines, Valaspen Place, Viewpoint Estates, Warnock Acres, Weekend Estates, Wendel Heights, Wendel Place, Wendel Place Park, West Country Estates, West Eighty Estates, West Gentry Estates, West Hill Acres, West Lake Estates, West Parkdale, West Thirty-Five Estates, Westbrooke Crescents, Westering Heights, Westland Park, Westward Acres, Whispering Pines, Whitewood Sands, Wild Rose Park, Willow Park, Willow Ridge, Willow Ridge Estates, Winfield Heights, Woodbend Crescent, Woodbend Place, Woodland Acres, Woodland Park, Woodridge, Woodridge Estates, Yellowhead Estates, Westlake Estates

  • Stony Plain

    Brickyard, Brookview, Country Plains Estates, Downtown, Forest Green, Genesis On The Lakes, Graybriar, Heritage Estates, High Park, Jutland Ridge, Lake Westerra, Meridian Cove, Meridian Heights, Old Town, Old Town North, Rosenthal Estates, Silverstone, South Creek, Southridge, St. Andrews, Stonycreek, The Fairways, The Glens, Willow Park, Woodlands

  • Spruce Grove

    Aspen Glen, Brookwood, Broxton Park, City Centre, Creekside, Deer Park, Fieldstone, Greenbury, Grove Meadows, Harvest Ridge, Hawthorne, Heatherglen, Hilldowns, Jesperdale, Kenton, Lakewood, Legacy Park, Linkside, Mclaughlin, Millgrove, None, Prescott, Spruce Ridge, Spruce Village, Spruce Woods, Stoneshire, Tonewood, West Grove, Woodhaven, Woodside

  • St. Albert

    Akinsdale, Braeside, Cherot, Deer Ridge, Downtown, Erin Ridge, Erin Ridge North, Forest Lawn, Grandin, Heritage Lakes, Inglewood, Jensen Lakes, Kingswood, Lacombe Park, Mission, North Ridge, Oakmont, Pineview, Riverside, Sturgeon Heights, Woodlands

  • Edmonton

    Northwest Edmonton:

    Athlone, Baranow, Baturyn, Beaumaris, Britannia, Youngstown, Caernarvon, Calder, Canora, Canossa, Carlisle, Carlton, Chambery, Cumberland, Dovercourt, Dunluce, Elsinore, Glenora, Griesbach, Grovenor, High Park, Hudson, Inglewood, Kensington, Kinokamau Plains Area, Lauderdale, Lorelei, Mayfield, Mcqueen, North Glenora, Oxford, Pembina, Prince Charles, Rosslyn, Sherbrooke, The Palisades, Trumpeter Area, Wellington, Westmount, Woodcrof


    Northeast Edmonton:

    Abbottsfield, Balwin, Beacon Heights, Belle Rive, Bannerman, Bellevue, Belmont, Belvedere, Bergman, Beverly Heights, Brintnell, Canon Ridge, Casselman, Clareview, Cromdale, Delwood, Eaux Claires, Evansdale, Evergreen, Fraser, Glengarry, Gorman, Hairsine, Highlands, Hollick Kenyon, Homesteader, Kernohan, Kildare, Kilkenny, Killarney, Kirkness, Klarvatten, Lago Lindo, Matt Berry, Mayliewan, McConachie, McLeod, Miller, Montrose, Newton, Northmount, Overlanders, Ozerna, Rundle Heights, Schonsee, Sifton Park, Virginia Park, York


    Central Edmonton:

    Alberta Avenue, Boyle Street, Central McDougall, Delton, Downtown, Eastwood, Elmwood Park, McCauley, Oliver, Parkdale, Prince Rupert, Queen Mary Park, Riverdale, Rossdale, Spruce Avenue, Westwood


    West Edmonton:

    Aldergrove, Belmead, Callingwood, Cameron Heights, Crestwood, Dechene, Donsdale, Gariepy, Glastonbury, Glenwood, Granville, Jamieson Place, La Perle, Laurier Heights, Lewis Estates, Lymburn, Lynnwood, Meadowlark Park, Oleskiw, Ormsby, Parkview, Patricia Heights, Quesnell Heights, Rio Terrace, Secord, Sherwood, Summerlea, Terra Losa, The Hamptons, Thorncliffe, Wedgewood Heights, West Jasper Place, West Meadowlark Park, Westridge


    Southwest Edmonton:

    Allard, Allendale, Ambleside, Aspen Gardens, Bearspaw, Belgravia, Blackburne, Blackmud Creek, Blue Quill, Blue Quill Estates, Brander Gardens, Brookside, Bulyea Heights, Callaghan, Carter Crest, Chapelle, Duggan, Empire Park, Ermineskin, Falconer Heights, Garneau, Grandview Heights, Greenfield, Haddow, Henderson Estates, Heritage Valley, Hodgson, Keheewin, Lansdowne, Leger, Lendrum Place, MacEwan, MacTaggart, Magrath Heights, Malmo Plains, McKernan, Ogilvie Ridge, Parkallen, Pleasantview, Queen Alexandra, Ramsay Heights, Rhatigan Ridge, Richford, Rideau Park, Royal Gardens, Rutherford, Skyrattler, Steinhauer, Strathcona, Sweet Grass, Terwillegar South, Terwillegar Towne, Twin Brooks, Westbrook Estates, Windermere, Windsor Park


    Southeast Edmonton:

    Argyll, Avonmore, Bonnie Doon, Capilano, Charlesworth, Clover Bar, Cloverdale, Ellerslie, Forest Heights, Fulton Place, Gold Bar, Hazeldean, Holyrood, Idylwylde, Kenilworth, King Edward Park, Larkspur, Laurel, Maple Ridge, Millwoods, Ottewell, Ritchie, Silver Berry, Strathearn, Summerside, Tamarack, Terrace Heights, The Meadows, Town Centre, Walker, Wild Rose, Whyte Ave


    Millwoods:

    Bisset, Crawford Plains, Daly Grove, Ekota, Greenview, Hillview, Jackson Heights, Kameyosek, Kiniski Gardens, Lee Ridge, Menisa, Meyokumin, Meyonohk, Michaels Park, Minchau, Pollard Meadows, Richfield, Sakaw, Satoo, Tawa, Tipaskan, Tweddle Place, Weinlos


    Winterburn: 

    Winterburn Industrial Area West, Winterburn Industrial Area East, Westview Village

  • Acheson

    Parkland Business Park, Ellis Industrial Park, Beacon Industrial Park, Acheson Industrial, Wild Estate, Osborne Acres, Spring Meadows Estates, Enoch

  • Leduc

    Alexandra Park, Black Stone, Bridgeport, Caledonia, Central Business District, Corinthia Park, Deer Valley, Lakeside Estates, Leduc Estates, Linsford Park, Meadowview Park, Robinson, South Park, South Telford, Southfork, Suntree, Tribute, West Haven, Willow Park, Windrose

  • Nisku

    Nisku Industrial Park, East Vistas, Sparrow Drive, Airport Road, Edmonton International Airport

  • Devon

    Devon Voyageur Park, Athabasca Ave, Athabasca Drive, St. Lawrence Ave, Devonian Way, Devon Lions Campground, Halicz-Gildehurst Road, Michigan Street, Devonian Trail, Miquelon Ave

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Septic & Wastewater Treatment Systems . Water Systems . Excavating & Trenching

WATER SYSTEMS

Get the most out of your water by choosing Ground Effects water system services.

GROUND SERVICES

Dig with confidence by hiring our excavation company to do the groundwork for you.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS

See our septic line, holding tank, septic tank, pump, and drain field install services.

Do you have more questions?

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