Hughes News

Are you a septic system contractor in Jacksonville looking for information on sewage treatment systems that meet the latest requirements presented by the Department of Environmental Protection?

During the 2023 legislative session, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1379, Laws of Florida Chapter No. 2023-169. This statute specifies areas (impacted areas) in the state where Enhanced Nutrient-Reducing Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (ENR-OSTDS) are required instead of conventional septic systems.  (source: Florida DEP)

In this post, we’ll explore the new enhanced nutrient reducing onsite sewage treatment and disposal system laws in Florida, (also known as Aerobic Treatment Systems – ATS, or Aerobic Treatment Units – ATU) explain why you must be certified to install these systems, and how Hughes Supply Jacksonville can help your business be in compliance.

Understanding the Enhanced Nutrient Reduction Septic System Laws

In recent years, Florida has taken significant steps to address the environmental concerns associated with conventional septic systems. The state has introduced new regulations to reduce the impact of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus on the environment. These nutrients, when released into the ground and surface waters, can cause water quality issues such as algae blooms and contamination.

The enhanced nutrient reduction laws in Florida aim to mitigate these issues by requiring homeowners to upgrade their existing septic systems to more efficient and eco-friendly models. These systems are designed to reduce nutrient discharge, ensuring cleaner water and a healthier environment for everyone.

1. Protecting Water Quality: The new regulations are designed to protect Florida’s water bodies from nutrient pollution, which can lead to algal blooms, impaired aquatic ecosystems, and compromised water quality.
2. Advanced Treatment: ENRSS systems incorporate advanced treatment technologies, such as aerobic treatment units and media filters, to remove nutrients more effectively from wastewater.
3. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Reduction: These systems focus on reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels, two key nutrients that contribute to water pollution and harm aquatic life.
4. Environmental Responsibility: By installing ENRSS septic systems, you’re contributing to the conservation of Florida’s unique environment and its delicate balance.

Why Should You Consider installing ENR-OSTDS Septic Systems soon?

As a septic contractor, you might be wondering why you should recommend ENR-OSTDS to your clients. Here are a few compelling reasons:

1. Environmental Responsibility: By installing ENR-OSTDS, you’re contributing to the preservation of Florida’s natural beauty and ecosystem health.
2. Legal Compliance: Florida’s new septic laws require the use of ENR-OSTDS in certain areas, ensuring you’re on the right side of the law. With many more areas being added, you want to make sure your customers have the most up to date system to avoid much higher replacement expenses down the road.
3. Market Demand: As awareness of environmental issues grows, more homeowners are looking for sustainable solutions. Offering ENR-OSTDS positions your business as an eco-conscious choice.

Hughes Supply: Your Partner in ENR-OSTDS Training with Infiltrator Water Technologies

If you are looking to enhance your knowledge and expertise in Enhanced Nutrient Reducing Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (ENR-OSTDS), Hughes Supply Jacksonville is here to be your trusted partner.

We understand that staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and regulations is crucial for your business success. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Infiltrator Water Technologies to offer you the training and support you need.

What is an ATU / ATS / ENR-OSTDS System?

Aerobic Treatment Unit / Aerobic Treatment System (ATU / ATS)

Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU) / Aerobic Treatment Systems (ATS) use oxygen and infuse it with the wastewater, adding nutrients to it to treat the wastewater so that is is disinfected efficiently and safely. An ATU/ATS basically processes the waste more quickly by speeding up the treatment process. installing an ATU/ATS requires state licensed bi-annual inspections.

Why Choose Hughes Supply Jacksonville for ENR-OSTDS Training?

• 1. Experience and Expertise: Hughes Supply has been serving the plumbing industry in Jacksonville for decades. We have a deep understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by septic contractors in Florida.
• 2. Partnership: Our partnership with Infiltrator Water Technologies gives us access to their cutting-edge training programs for ENR-OSTDS systems. You won’t find a more direct route to the expertise you need.
• 3. Local Presence: We’re right here in Jacksonville, making it easy for you to access the products and training you require without the hassle of long-distance travel.

How Hughes Supply Can Help You Receive ENR-OSTDS Certification:

Septic system installers MUST be certified by the product manufacturer prior to installing these systems, which is why it is so important to get certified today.

Hughes Supply Jacksonville can offer you training when and where you need it. These programs cover everything from the fundamentals of ENR-OSTDS systems to advanced installation techniques, and well as maintenance requirements. We organize and host local workshops and seminars, in partnership with Infiltrator Water Technologies. These events provide hands-on experience, certifications, and opportunities to network with fellow septic contractors.

In addition to training, Hughes Supply can offer you in-depth product knowledge. We stock a wide range of septic system products, including the Delta ECOPOD Advanced Wastewater Treatment Units from Infiltrator Water Technologies, so you can get everything needed for your projects in one place.

How to Get Started:

Contact Us by phone, email, or by visiting our local branch. Our staff will be happy to discuss your certification needs and guide you through the process.

With the expertise gained from this training & certification, you can confidently offer ENR-OSTDS solutions to your clients, ensuring compliance with Florida’s regulations and contributing to environmental conservation.

Hughes Supply is committed to supporting septic contractors like you in Jacksonville, Florida, by providing access to top-notch training in ENR-OSTDS systems. Partner with us to advance your skills, grow your business, and make a positive impact on the environment. Together, we can build a cleaner, more sustainable future for our beautiful state of Florida.

Can a bathroom faucet save lives?

Maybe not all faucets, but when your’re a Sloan Optima Smart Faucet, it’s definitely a possibility!

Reducing the stress of the unknown

Plumbing Maintenance Professional – What if you were able to find out there was going to be a plumbing problem BEFORE the problem actually happened? No more late night text, the stress of finding parts last minute, or having to free someone from other important tasks to take care of the immediate problem.

We can’t tell you how to take ALL that stress away, but we can help you start somewhere – and Sloan Valve Company is going to get you one step closer to a stress free job.

Sloan Optima Smart Faucet w/ Sloan Connect Smart Phone App

The Sloan Optima Smart Faucets with Bluetooth Technology, paired with the Sloan Connect App, “enables building owners and facility managers to collect data and adjust settings without having to disassemble the sink or spend time working on the restroom floor.” ** see below

Disney World currently uses this system to monitor bathroom traffic and water usage throughout their park and resorts. Though ideal to have in large office buildings, the hospital industry could see the greatest benefit from this technology.

First of all, it’s touchless. Need we say more?

A requirement for most hospital facilities is frequent line flushes to keep bacteria from forming in dormant water lines. Who is going to go to each bathroom and flush the lines? Hospitals are some of the busiest places to be on any given day, at any given time. The Sloan Smart System can be set to automatically flush on a schedule. Problems solved!

As you can see, the Sloan Smart Faucets will save you time, save the facility money, save the environment by monitoring water usage, and could potentially save people’s lives!

Sloan Optima Smart Faucets come in a variety of styles including deck & wall mounted, goosenecks, low & mid body heights – they really have a solution for every need.

To view an entire list of Sloan Optima faucets available with this smart technology, visit Sloan, and then contact Hughes Supply Jacksonville for pricing and availability. 904-388-8315 or email prf540@hajoca.com.

Resources:

Sloan Case Study: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

https://www.sloan.com/design/inspiration/case-studies/healthcare/vanderbilt-university-medical-center

** Health Facilities Management: Minimizing Facility Water System Risks

https://www.hfmmagazine.com/articles/3033-minimizing-facility-water-system-risks

Sloan Pres Release

https://www.sloan.com/company/news-press/press-room/press-releases/sloan-announces-groundbreaking-enhancement-its-optima

All year long, but especially during this season, we’re grateful for wonderful customers like you! Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Hughes Supply.

Just a reminder, we will be closed on Thursday, November 28th & Friday, November 29th. We will reopen on Monday, December 2 at 7:00AM.

The new Kohler Modflex Adjust-a-Bowl Top Spud Flushometer Bowl was designed with one thing in mind – turn any wall mount closet fixture into a floor mounted closet, while still using the back outlet drain in the original design.

What does this mean? No more costly redesign and tear down of a bathroom flush system in order to go from a wall hung toilet to a floor mounted toilet! In 20 minutes or less, you can make the conversion to a floor mounted toilet, and never look back.

Addressing a need

We knew this was an important issue that needed to be address, especially in commercial environments where shutting down a restroom for weeks just wasn’t an option. Schools, hospitals and many other public or private restrooms with high volume can be repaired as soon as they need to be – at a much lower price point then demolition.

Testing the product in the Jacksonville market

We brought these in so that we can see them in person, and see for ourselves the entire install process. We teamed up with our partners at Baptist Medical Center in Downtown Jacksonville in order to make that happen. They were also excited to test it out, as they would have the first Kohler Modflex Adjust-a-bowl Toilet in all of Jacksonville. See pictures of the install below.

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A few observations

There was a little hesitation by the plumbers when they saw the design. I was almost convinced that they were going to reject the idea from the beginning. Their main comments were “this is going to back up fast” and “this is going to leak”. After a bit of conversation, I convinced them to watch the Kohler install video. I believe that took away the major questions as to whether or not this would work – so off we went to the install.

The total install took about 25 minutes, including attaching the new Sloan flush valve. This did not include taking the older wall mount closet down, that was done prior to us arriving. Mike, the plumber at Baptist Hospital who did a majority of the install, believed that he could install future toilets in less than 15 minutes. He felt the install went pretty well, noting that they didn’t run into anything different with this install than they do with wall mounted closets. Every install would probably be a little different. There was a little bit of a gap between the back of the toilet and the wall, but that was more than likely because the wall had been previously repaired.

Works on Standard and ADA Height

One thing I was surprised with, was that this would work both on a standard height and an ADA height toilet. Once installed, the final result will be an ADA height of just over 17″ off the floor. The previous toilet that was removed was a standard height wall mount. Although the bathroom itself was not ADA approved, this product could help businesses convert their standard height wall mount toilets into ADA height toilets.

The final verdict?

We were all very satisfied with this new toilet from Kohler. From the looks, the water movement, the install, and the overall concept, this one looks like it is going to be a winner.

Interested in purchasing the Kohler Modflex?

SHOP NOW!

Is it time to put your trust in PEX?

“Is Uponor PEX right for my business?” As a wholesale plumbing supplier in Jacksonville, Florida – we help our customers answer this question nearly every day.

Traditional plumbers know, and usually spec out for their jobs, for one or all of the big three: copper, cpvc and pvc.

Crosslinked polyethylene, shortened as PEX, is surging in the North America, and is being requested by more and more companies for their building projects – from new residential construction to large commercial buildings. Specifically, PEX-a (Uponor) is leading the charge as the most used PEX type in the marketplace.

So, what does that mean to you, the plumber, or the home owner?

As a Northeast Florida Plumber, you probably have not heard many of your customers asking about Uponor PEX-a products. Are you asking them if they want to use it for their home? 70% of the customers decision about what to buy will come by your recommendation. Why not recommend Uponor, CPVC or copper, and let the customer decide?

Here is why they may decide to go with Uponor:

Using Uponor greatly reduces the chance of leaks within their home. Why, they may ask? Using Uponor Logic plumbing, you can reduce the number of fittings used by 83% by using Uponor products over PVC and CPVC. Plumbers, and homeowners know, that almost 100% of the leaks happen at the joints.

Uponor PEX-a vs PEX-b saves about the same amount in fittings, however, using Uponor PEX-a allows you to use 58% less tubing than Homerun plumbing using PEX-b.

Uponor PEX-a also saves you time! You can greatly reduce your time on the job by using Uponor plumbing products. On average, Uponor PEX-a is 35% faster than using PEX-B, 49% faster than CPVC, and 79% faster than copper. This means you can complete an entire job in hours instead of days!

Durable Fittings

Speaking of fittings, are you or your customers concerned about Uponor EP fittings breaking? They do look like traditional plastic which is fragile and can become brittle. However, Uponor EP fittings are an engineered polymer (EP) that are a thermoplastic polymer (polysulfone, modified polyphenylsulfone, or polyphenylsulfone). These materials have been used in medical, aerospace and plumbing for many years! Lab tests have shown that a 3” ProPEX EP Tee is able to withstand up to 4,000 lbs. of spreading force without failure. 4,000 lbs!

In video tests posted online by independent evaluators, the PEX-a or PEX-b tubing was far more likely to give out (burst) under extreme high pressure than the fittings and joints. The pressure used during these tests is also much greater (400lb+) than any commercial or residential water line is going to see (40-70psi).

When it comes to which PEX to buy, we believe Uponor PEX-a is the best option. The expansion fittings, we feel, are much stronger than crimp fittings, and the Uponor ProPEX tubing is much easier to use.

Your customers may not be asking you about Uponor today, but when they do, will you be ready? Now may just be the right time to start working with Uponor PEX-a. Contact Hughes Supply – Jacksonville today! We are one of Northeast Florida largest stocking dealers of Uponor products and tools.

Bold City on the move

Throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, Hughes Supply has one objective. Serve those who are serving the plumbing needs of the residents of our amazing and growing city. We are #DTWD, and we are proud to bring the finest plumbing products to the city’s plumbing industry leaders. We work with large companies with fleets of vehicles to smaller family owned businesses. Hughes Supply was one of first plumbing wholesalers to make roots in Duval County in the 1960’s. We plan on contributing to this robust city for many years to come.

If you are a Jacksonville plumber looking for great service and professional advice from your plumbing product wholesaler, look no further than Hughes Supply Jacksonville. Our staff knows the needs of Jacksonville plumbers and are ready to help your business grow and succeed in this thriving market.

Visit our Products Page to view the entire line of products sold by Hughes Supply. We have nearly 50,000 sq ft in warehouse space and an over 30,000 sq ft yard