Can suction trucks be used to collect dry waste as well as liquid waste? Suction trucks are most commonly associated with liquid waste but can remove dry waste too. Read below to learn more.
Suction trucks are most commonly used to remove sewage, clear septic tanks, and clean up spillages. However, what a lot of people don’t realise is that they can often be used to handle dry waste too.
Safe, Hygenic and Rapid Waste Removal
Suction trucks are used to remove liquid waste in a safe, hygienic fashion. They are useful because they can handle waste quickly and even minimise (but not completely stop) odours too.
Often, these trucks can be parked some distance away from the area that the waste is to be removed from. This is handy in areas where direct access to the site is not possible or would be inconvenient for other local residents.
Vacuum trucks offer an economical solution for waste management, and since the trucks are sealed and robust they allow for the safe transport of waste.
What Can Vacuum Trucks Transport
The most common things that these trucks transport are:
- Sludge
- Oils
- Liquids
- Caustics
- Other dangerous liquid chemicals
However, they can also be used to extract and transport other substances. They are particularly efficient at the transport of solids that ‘behave like liquids’ such as powders, dust, and grains:
- Sawdust
- Polluted soil
- Fine dust or ash
- Dry bulk powders
- Grains
- Grits
- Cement dust
- Sand, gravel or blasting grit
How Suction Trucks Can Help With Cleanup
Suction trucks are useful because they allow for the collection of contaminants without excessive disturbance. If you ‘sweep up’ dry waste then there is the risk that dust will be kicked up into the air.
While that will still happen to some extent with vacuum trucks, it is less of a problem.
You can remove gravel, dust, sand, and powders from a site and comprehensively remove these particles without fear of kicking up too much dust.
As a result, the environmental impact of the cleanup operation is greatly reduced. This makes suction waste removal much better from a health and safety perspective compared to more traditional waste removal methods.
When removing water or liquid waste, hundreds of litres can be collected in a matter of minutes. The rate of suction may be slightly reduced for dry waste, depending on the size and shape of the waste, but it is generally rapid and safe.
Once the waste is in the container, it can travel along normal highways and be taken to a safe disposal site. Liquid waste should be treated before it is released, especially if the waste is a form of faecal sludge.
There are strict regulations dictating how much sludge should be collected, transported, stored and treated. The same is true for dry waste management.
Depending on the nature of the waste that you are trying to dispose of you may need to work with a specialist waste management company to ensure that it is treated appropriately.
Contaminated soil and potentially hazardous waste products should not be sent to landfill, or simply tipped into an open area.
The waste could break down and contaminate groundwater or have a significant negative impact on local wildlife.
When choosing a waste management company, look for one that is properly certified and insured, that pays attention to health and safety and to environmental safety too.
Pressure Works have many years of experience in hydro excavation and in suction/vacuum extraction and can advise you on the best options for safe waste removal.
We also provide non-destructive digging services so that you can manage your operation safely and efficiently with minimal impact on those around you, and on the environment.