Field Training/Workshops
Site and Soils Evaluation Field Days
Site and Soils Evaluation Field Days will be held for those interested in learning more about performing detailed site visits and designing systems for difficult situations and soils. This training workshop will provide information on assessing soil structure and texture, assessing site conditions and constraints, logging information and applying that knowledge to the design of onsite systems.
May 17, 2012 (9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Lethbridge, AB
June 14, 2012 (9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Prince George, BC
Advanced Soils Training Session
The objective of this course is twofold. Firstly, introduce the learner to information currently not taught or known, which will be required to be known in the future and secondly, cover the current soil requirements needed to meet the criteria outlined in SPM 2. This site was specifically chosen for its ability to demonstrate parent materials, soils structures and difficult soils features such as redoximorphic soils.
Day 1
Lecture 1: Introduction to WCOWMA course materials.
Lecture 2: Introduction to Soil Orders, Horizons and Limiting layers.
Exercise 1: Identification of soil orders from photographs.
Lecture 3: Describing Soils in the Field, what is the minimum required to meet SPM 2.
Exercise 2: Given soil profile examples determine the limiting layers and the loading rate from Table 2 – 8 from SPM 2.
Lecture 4: Soil Texture, sample preparation for hand texture, jar tests, COLE Tests, wet consistence and plasticity.
Exercise 3: Hand and jar texture, use of textural triangle. Calculate COLE results from sample data from actual soil test pits.
Lecture 5: Soil structure, grade, kind and class.
Exercise 4: Identify structure kind and class and correctly fill in soil log form.
Lecture 6: Consistence
Exercise 5: determine dry, moist, wet consistence and plasticity.
Lecture 7: Roots.Lecture 8: Munsell soil colour and mottles.
Exercise 6: Use Munsell soil colour book to determine soil colour.
Lecture 9: Video 1, how water moves through soil. Video 2, how cemented horizons creates a perched water table.
All exercises to be turned in by all participants at the end of this section for checking by the instructor.
Lecture 10: Parent materials
Field Exercise 1: Examine, identify and describe parent materials in the field. Landform associations will also be discussed.
Field Exercise 2: Instructor will demonstrate how to describe at least 1, possibly 2 profiles, in the field and learners will record the field data on a soil description form.
Day 2
Participants, working in pairs, will describe a minimum of two soil profiles in the field. From the field data the loading rate from Table 2 – 8 of SPM 2 will be determined.All soil logs will be examined for accuracy, completeness and discussed.There will be a great deal of material covered and all participants are expected to participate fully throughout the course. Credit will not be given to anyone who does not participate.
Expect to put in two long days.
Anyone who has a copy of Soils Illustrated; please bring it along as how to use it will also be covered.
June 15 & 16, 2012 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Barriere, BC
Mound Installation Demo
Mound Installation Field Days provide instruction for those interested in learning more about designing and installing mounds. Registrants participating in this training session will focus on the following outcomes:
- Understand the basic principles of how mounds work – treatment in sand layer and dispersal horizontally. Apply soil evaluation information. Understand ground water mounding.
- Learn mound design configurations and materials; sand layer, fill, gravel, chambers.
- Basic knowledge of utilizing topography of installation site.
- Know factors in locating the mound – slope vs. level, clearance separations, vertical separations, fill materials for raised bed.
- Ability to design pressure distribution laterals for mound, orientation of orifices, spacing, preferred vs. cost.
- Knowledge of and ability to apply requirements of Standard of Practice:
- Ability to interpret mound design worksheet
- Ability to complete mound design worksheet
- Ability to describe construction practices.
- Ability to perform clarity test on sand.
- Identify typical mound failure.
- Ability to apply soil characteristics at site to mound design, identify key material requirements and calculate mound size.
Please note this workshop runs 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Dates to be Announced
Pumps and Controls Workshops
Pumps and Controls workshops provide training in how to size pumps for onsite wastewater design and installation. Students will learn how to read pump curves, calculate friction loss and pressure head.
Dates to be Announced
Pressure Distribution Workshops
Pressure Distribution workshops provide instruction on how to plan a pressure distribution system. Students will learn how different sizes and types of pipes and pumps affect the pressure distribution system, how to calculate friction loss and pressure head and how to plan a system that takes into account the loading constraints of the site it will be installed on.
Dates to be Announced
Pressure Distribution Refresher Training
With the installation season right around the corner, it is time to dust off your design and calculation skills for pressure distribution systems! This half day training course is designed for those who have completed the Onsite Wastewater Practitioner training and wish to review the process and calculations for designing pressure distribution.
Dates to be Announced
SOP Update Class
The Standard of Practice update is required for all PSDS ticket holders who completed their training prior to December 31, 2009 who wish to maintain their ticket.
Dates to be Announced
Treatment Field Installation Field Day
Participants in this field day will review the design for a pressure distributed field and then apply that design in a field situation. The training takes place on a live site for a residence that is having a replacement field installed. Participants will excavate the field, set the pump, build and test the pressure distribution system, install the chamber system and complete the system to complete cover and commissioning.
Dates to be Announced
Upon receipt of your completed registration form, you will be sent the information on the location of the training site along with any other information required.