Wastewater management system

• US 20020148781A1
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jan D. Graves
• Original Assignee: Jan D. Graves
• Inventors: Graves, Jan D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,764,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/620
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/688 Devices in which the water progressively dissolves a solid compound
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/76 with halogens or compounds of halogens C02F1/4674 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/288 comprising septic tanks combined with a filter
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/30 Aerobic and anaerobic processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/903 Corrugated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band

Abstract

A method of and an apparatus for rejuvenating a wastewater treatment system of the type including a septic tank, an aerobic treatment unit or the like connected by a pipe to a plugged downstream soil absorption system includes a wastewater treatment unit which is interposed between the septic unit/aerobic treatment unit and the downstream soil absorption system. The wastewater treatment unit includes a single piece or a multiple piece solids settling and retention basin within which is suspendingly supported a wastewater treatment mechanism essentially of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,120. The wastewater treatment mechanism includes filters for filtering and settling solids from wastewater and flow equalization ports for effecting flow equalization thereby eliminating flow surges to the downstream plugged soil absorption system. By utilizing an extremely compact solids settling and retention basin and its attendant operative components, solids are prevented from passing beyond the wastewater treatment unit to the failed soil absorption system. In this fashion the wastewater treatment unit of the present invention can rejuvenate wastewater treatment systems which have failed, and if installed prior to such failure, can extend the life thereof substantially indefinitely. The latter and other advantages are achieved at relatively low cost, absent destruction of existing sod or lawn, moving fencing, trees, etc., and absent creating a hazard for individuals, particularly small children.

Claims

1. A method of “

rejuvenating”

a wastewater treatment system of the type including a septic unit, an aerobic treatment unit or the like connected by a pipe to a “

plugged”

downstream soil absorption system comprising the steps of excavating a volume of soil to expose the pipe, removing at least a section of the pipe, housing a solids settling and retention basin in the excavated volume, connecting an upstream pipe to the basin for effecting wastewater flow into the basin, housing a filtration and flow equalization unit in the basin for effecting wastewater filtration and flow equalization thereby eliminating flow surges, and connecting an outlet of the filtration and flow equalization unit to the soil absorption system whereby substantially solid-free wastewater is delivered to the “

plugged”

soil absorption system while filtered and settled solid can be subsequently removed from the basin and the filtration and flow equalization unit.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 including the step of peripherally suspendingly supporting the filtration and flow equalization unit internally of the basin.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 including the step of seating a radially outwardly directed flange of the filtration and flow equalization unit upon a radially inwardly directed flange of the basin thereby suspendingly supporting the filtration and flow equalization unit from the basin.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 including reconditioning and cleaning the filtration and flow equalization unit by performing the steps of removing the filtration and flow equalization unit through an open upper end of the basin, spanning the basin open upper end with an apertured support, supporting the filtration and flow equalization unit upon the apertured support, and directing water upon and into the filtration and flow equalization unit while supported upon the apertured support whereby removed solids are flushed through the apertured support into the basin.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 including reconditioning and cleaning the filtration and flow equalization unit by performing the steps of removing the filtration and flow equalization unit through an open upper end of the basin, spanning the basin open upper end with an apertured upwardly concavely facing support, supporting the filtration and flow equalization unit upon the apertured upwardly concavely facing support, and directing water upon and into the filtration and flow equalization unit while supported upon the apertured upwardly concavely facing support whereby removed solids are flushed through the apertured upwardly concavely facing support into the basin.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 including reconditioning and cleaning the filtration and flow equalization unit by performing the steps of removing the filtration and flow equalization unit through an open upper end of the basin, spanning the basin open upper end with an upwardly concavely facing centrally apertured cover, supporting the filtration and flow equalization unit upon the upwardly concavely facing centrally apertured cover, and directing water upon and into the filtration and flow equalization unit while supported upon the upwardly concavely facing centrally apertured cover whereby removed solids are flushed through the upwardly concavely facing centrally apertured cover into the basin.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of adding one of a riser and a ring respectively above and below a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, and exteriorly clamping the one riser and ring to the basin section.

8. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one riser and ring, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

9. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one riser and ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

10. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one riser and ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends.

11. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one riser and ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

12. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one riser and ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends and a clamp effecting the clamping.

13. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

14. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

15. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of exc avation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends.

17. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends and a clamp effecting the clamping.

19. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

20. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends.

21. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

22. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends and a clamp effecting the clamping.

23. The method as defined in claim 1 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin by performing the steps of providing a tubular section of predetermined axial length and having a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of the basin, peripherally severing the basin between a closed bottom thereof and a point at which the pipe ends are connected to the basin, telescopically uniting ends of the tubular section with severed ends of the basin, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united ends together.

24. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the basin is defined at least in part by an upper tubular section, a lower tubular section having a closed bottom and a medial tubular section to which the pipe ends are connected and including the steps of telescopically uniting upper and lower peripheral ends of the medial tubular section with respective lower and upper peripheral ends of the respective lower and upper tubular sections, and exteriorly clamping each of the united peripheral ends to each other.

26. The wastewater treatment unit as defined in claim 25 wherein said wastewater treatment suspendingly supporting means includes a radially outwardly directed rib.

27. The wastewater treatment unit as described in claim 25 wherein said wastewater treatment suspendingly supporting means includes a radially outwardly directed rib in overlying supporting relationship upon said at least one internal peripheral rib.

28. The wastewater treatment unit as described in claim 25 wherein said wastewater treatment suspendingly supporting means includes a radially outwardly directed circumferential rib in overlying supporting relationship upon said at least one internal peripheral rib.

29. The wastewater treatment unit as defined in claim 25 wherein all internal peripheral ribs located above said at least one internal peripheral rib each have an internal diameter greater than the internal diameter of said at least one internal peripheral rib thereby permitting axial downward movement of said wastewater treatment means through said open upper end until said suspendingly supporting means seats upon said at least one internal peripheral rib.

30. The wastewater treatment unit as defined in claim 27 wherein all internal peripheral ribs located above said at least one internal peripheral rib each have an internal diameter greater than the internal diameter of said at least one internal peripheral rib thereby permitting axial downward movement of said wastewater treatment means through said open upper end until said radially outwardly directed rib seats upon said at least one internal peripheral rib.

31. The wastewater treatment unit as defined in claim 28 wherein all internal peripheral ribs located above said at least one internal peripheral rib each have an internal diameter greater than the internal diameter of said at least one internal peripheral rib thereby permitting axial downward movement of said wastewater treatment means through said open upper end until said radially outwardly directed circumferential rib seats upon said at least one internal peripheral rib.

16. The method as defined in claim I including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

18. The method as defined in claim I including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of the pipe ends and/or the depth of excavation and/or the position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the pipe ends are connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

25. A wastewater treatment unit comprising a solids settling and retention basin defined by a one-piece body molded from polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material, said body including a tubular wall having an open upper end and a lower end closed by a bottom wall, a plurality of alternating internal and external peripheral ribs and valleys disposed substantially along the axial length of said body between said open upper end and said lower end, at least one of said internal peripheral ribs having a substantially lesser internal diameter than the diameter of internal peripheral ribs located below said one internal peripheral rib, means for introducing wastewater into said body, means for discharging wastewater from said body, wastewater treatment means in said body for treating wastewater during its flow from said introducing means to said discharging means, and means for suspendingly supporting said wastewater treatment means from said at least one internal peripheral rib.

32. A settling and retention basin comprising a body including a tubular wall having an open upper end and a lower end closed by a bottom wall, rib means adjacent said open upper end for underlyingly supporting a safety cover, a safety cover having a peripheral edge underlyingly supported by said rib means, an access cover closing said open upper end, and clamping means for clampingly securing said cover relative to said upper end.

33. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 including retainer means for securing said safety cover to said upper end while permitting total removal of said safety cover from said upper end.

34. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 including retainer means for securing said safety cover to said upper end while permitting total removal of said safety cover from said upper end, and said retainer means is a flexible element connected to said safety cover and to said upper end.

35. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 including retainer means for securing said safety cover to said upper end while permitting total removal of said safety cover from said upper end, and said retainer means is a retainer cable connected to said safety cover and to said upper end.

36. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 wherein said rib means is a radially inwardly directed circumferentially extending rib defined by upper and lower annular walls and an innermost circumferentially wall therebetween, said upper annular wall being a common wall of an inwardly opening channel;

said inwardly opening channel being defined by said common wall, an outermost circumferential wall and an upper annular wall; and

said safety cover peripheral edge being supported by said common wall which in part defines said rib means.

37. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 wherein said access cover includes a radially outwardly directed circumferential extending rib received in a radially inwardly opening circumferentially extending valley of said upper end.

38. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 wherein said access cover includes a radially outwardly directed circumferential extending rib received in a radially inwardly opening circumferentially extending valley of said upper end, and said rib means includes an annular wall common to said valley.

39. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 wherein said access cover includes a radially outwardly directed circumferential extending rib received in a radially inwardly opening circumferentially extending valley of said upper end, said rib means includes an annular wall common to said valley, and said safety cover peripheral edge seats upon said common wall.

40. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 wherein said clamping means is a one-piece band of a substantially U-shaped configuration over a major portion of the length thereof with a minor portion being a tongue having a plurality of spaced slots, an end of said major portion including an upstanding wall having a slot for slidably receiving said tongue and a depending latching projection for entry into a selected one of said tongue slots, and a plurality of spaced slots along said major portion adjacent said end whereby a tool can be inserted in select ones of the major portion and tongue slots to effect leverage tightening of said band.

41. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 wherein said clamping means is a one-piece band of a substantially U-shaped configuration over a major portion of the length thereof with a minor portion being a tongue having a plurality of spaced slots, an end of said major portion including an upstanding wall having a slot for slidably receiving said tongue and a depending latching projection for entry into a selected one of said tongue slots, a plurality of spaced slots along said major portion adjacent said end whereby a tool can be inserted in select ones of the major portion and tongue slots to effect leverage tightening of said band, and an upstanding apertured locking tab of said major portion end being adapted for receipt into a selected one of said tongue slots.

42. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 wherein said safety cover is of an upwardly concavely curved configuration.

43. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 32 wherein said safety cover is of an upwardly concavely curved configuration, and aperture means in said safety cover for effecting fluid flow therethrough.

44. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 37 wherein said clamping means is a one-piece band of a substantially U-shaped configuration over a major portion of the length thereof with a minor portion being a tongue having a plurality of spaced slots, an end of said major portion including an upstanding wall having a slot for slidably receiving said tongue and a depending latching projection for entry into a selected one of said tongue slots, and a plurality of spaced slots along said major portion adjacent said end whereby a tool can be inserted in select ones of the major portion and tongue slots to effect leverage tightening of said band.

46. The container as defined in claim 45 including clamping means for exteriorly clamping together said telescopically mated tubular wall portions.

47. The container as defined in claim 45 including a cover portion integrally united to an upper end of said tubular wall at an outwardly projecting circumferential rib defined by upper and lower annular walls and a circumferential wall therebetween, said upper annular wall merging with a circumferential wall having a diameter no greater than the diameter of an immediately adjacent next lowermost inwardly projecting circumferential rib whereby upon the removal of a band of waste material of said circumferential wall said cover portion can be removed, inverted and inserted into said upper end to function as a cover therefor.

49. The method as defined in claim 48 including reconditioning and cleaning the filtration and flow equalization unit by performing the steps of removing the filtration and flow equalization unit through an open upper end of the basin, spanning the basin open upper end with an apertured support, supporting the filtration and flow equalization unit upon the apertured support, and directing water upon and into the filtration and flow equalization unit while supported upon the apertured support whereby removed solids are flushed through the apertured support into the basin.

50. The method as defined in claim 48 including reconditioning and cleaning the filtration and flow equalization unit by performing the steps of removing the filtration and flow equalization unit through an open upper end of the basin, spanning the basin open upper end with an apertured upwardly concavely facing support, supporting the filtration and flow equalization unit upon the apertured upwardly concavely facing support, and directing water upon and into the filtration and flow equalization unit while supported upon the apertured upwardly concavely facing support whereby removed solids are flushed through the apertured upwardly concavely facing support into the basin.

51. The method as defined in claim 48 including reconditioning and cleaning the filtration and flow equalization unit by performing the steps of removing the filtration and flow equalization unit through an open upper end of the basin, spanning the basin open upper end with an upwardly concavely facing centrally apertured cover, supporting the filtration and flow equalization unit upon the upwardly concavely facing centrally apertured cover, and directing water upon and into the filtration and flow equalization unit while supported upon the upwardly concavely facing centrally apertured cover whereby removed solids are flushed through the upwardly concavely facing centrally apertured cover into the basin.

52. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of adding one of a riser and a ring respectively above and below a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, and exteriorly clamping the one added riser and ring to the basin section.

53. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one added riser and ring, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

54. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one added riser and ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

55. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one added riser and ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends.

56. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one added riser and ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

57. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing one of a riser and a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe ends is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the one added riser and ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends and a clamp effecting the clamping.

58. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

59. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

60. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends.

61. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

62. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a riser of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the riser, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends and a clamp effecting the clamping.

63. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

64. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

65. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends.

66. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together.

67. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin to the location of an outlet of the wastewater treatment device and/or the depth of excavation and/or its position relative to ground level by performing the steps of providing a ring of a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of a section of the basin to which the upstream pipe is to be connected, telescopically uniting an axial end of the basin section with a substantially matching axial end of the ring, sandwiching an annular seal between the telescopically united axial ends and outboard of the exteriormost of the axial ends, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united axial ends together in the area of the annular seal to compress the same between the telescopically united axial ends and a clamp effecting the clamping.

68. The method as defined in claim 48 including “

customizing”

the height of the basin by performing the steps of providing a tubular section of predetermined axial length and having a peripheral profile substantially matching the peripheral profile of the basin, peripherally severing the basin between a closed bottom thereof and a point at which the upstream pipe is to be connected to the basin, telescopically uniting ends of the tubular section with severed ends of the basin, and exteriorly clamping the telescopically united ends together.

69. The method as defined in claim 48 wherein the basin is defined at least in part by an upper tubular section, a lower tubular section having a closed bottom and a medial tubular section to which the downstream pipe is to be connected, and including the steps of telescopically uniting upper and lower peripheral ends of the medial tubular section with respective lower and upper peripheral ends of the respective upper and lower tubular sections, and exteriorly clamping each of the united peripheral ends to each other.

45. A container particularly adapted to be selectively changed in axial length comprising a body including a tubular wall, said tubular wall including a plurality of alternating radially outwardly projecting circumferential ribs and radially outwardly opening circumferential valleys defining respective inwardly opening circumferential valleys and inwardly projecting circumferential ribs, at least two substantially axially spaced pairs of inwardly and outwardly projecting ribs defined by a common wall therebetween, at least one inwardly directed circumferential rib and an adjacent outwardly directed circumferential rib being located between said two pairs of ribs, and the exterior diameter of said at least one outwardly directed circumferential rib corresponds substantially to the internal diameter of the inwardly opening circumferential valleys whereby upon the removal of said common wall and a circumferential wall of an adjacent inwardly projecting circumferential rib a band of waste material can be discarded and remaining at least two tubular wall portions of said tubular wall can be telescopically mated with said at least one outwardly directed circumferential rib being seated within and upon a remaining wall portion of one of said inwardly opening circumferential valleys.

48. A method of installing a new wastewater treatment system of the type including a septic unit, an aerobic treatment unit or like wastewater treatment device comprising the steps of excavating a volume of soil, housing a wastewater treatment device in the excavated volume, housing a solids settling and retention basin in the excavated volume downstream of the wastewater treatment device, connecting an upstream pipe between the wastewater treatment device and the basin for effecting wastewater flow into the basin, housing a filtration and flow equalization unit in the basin for effecting wastewater filtration and flow equalization thereby eliminating flow surges, and connecting the filtration and flow equalization unit to a downstream soil absorption system whereby substantially solid-free wastewater is delivered to the soil absorption system while filtered and settled solid can be subsequently removed form the basin and the filtration and flow equalization unit.

70. A settling and retention basin comprising a molded one-piece body of polymeric/copolymeric material including a tubular body wall and axially opposite ends, a pair of openings, said openings being located in substantially diametrically opposite wall portions of said tubular body wall, each said openings having an axis, and said axes being in spaced offset relationship to each other.

71. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 70 wherein said tubular body wall includes inwardly projecting rib means for suspendingly supporting thereupon a wastewater treatment mechanism.

72. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 70 wherein both of said tubular body wall ends are closed.

73. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 70 wherein at least one of said tubular body wall ends is open.

74. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 71 wherein said tubular body wall includes an open upper end and a closed bottom end, and said openings are located greater distances from said open end than the distance of said rib means from said open end.

75. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 71 wherein said rib means includes at least one substantially radially inwardly directed rib in turn defining a radially outwardly opening valley.

76. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 71 wherein said rib means includes at least one substantially radially inwardly directed substantially cylindrically extending rib in turn defining a radially outwardly opening valley.

77. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 71 wherein said rib means includes at least one substantially radially inwardly directed substantially cylindrically extending continuous rib in turn defining a radially outwardly opening valley.

78. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 74 wherein said rib means includes at least one substantially radially inwardly directed rib in turn defining a radially outwardly opening valley.

79. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 74 wherein said rib means includes at least one substantially radially inwardly directed substantially cylindrically extending rib in turn defining a radially outwardly opening valley.

80. The settling and retention basin as defined in claim 74 wherein said rib means includes at least one substantially radially inwardly directed substantially cylindrically extending continuous rib in turn defining a radially outwardly opening valley.