Patent Abstract:
A portable and relocateable pump attachment interface provides a fixed link between a first line in communication with a fluid reservoir, and a second line in communication with a mobile storage tank via a pump of a pump truck. The interface includes an interface body that supports a fixed conduit entirely above ground. The front end of the conduit is for coupling to the first line, and the back end of the conduit is for coupling to the second line. The interface body has a fitting access space and a spill containment catch basin disposed under the fitting access space, and the second end of the conduit is located within the fitting access space and over the spill containment basin to catch any spillage from the second line when it is coupled to and uncoupled from the conduit. The interface body can be a concrete block, or be molded plastic filled with sand or water and is massive enough to substantially isolate line one from line  2.  A metal conduit cover controls access to the front end of the conduit by enclosing the fixture access space.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part, and claims the benefit of and priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/013,343 entitled “PUMP ATTACHMENT INTERFACE PROVIDING A FIXED LINK BETWEEN A PUMP LINE COUPLED TO A MOBILE TANK AND A LINE DISPOSED IN A RESERVOIR,” filed Jan. 25, 2011 and which application is fully incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to providing water at remote locations for purposes such as drilling oil and gas wells and fighting forest fires, and more particularly to facilitating the transport of the water to and from temporary storage ponds or drill pits located at the remote locations by way of pump trucks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Very large quantities of water are required to support oil and gas well drilling operations. Because the drilling sites are often located in remote and dry areas, water must be transported to the drilling sites at significant expense. The water is typically brought to a location that is near or central to a number of drilling sites using several pump trucks, and then stored in man-made ponds often referred to as drill pits. Pump trucks are then used to pump water from the drill pit and to transport the water to a particular drill site as needed to support the drilling operation. To minimize expense, the water is typically recovered during the drilling operation and returned by the pump truck back to the drill pit for future use at that or other drilling sites. The water from one drill pit may even be moved to another drill pit when, for example, operations are winding down at one location but are ramping up at another. 
         [0004]    Drilling operations are very dirty, and the recovered water is typically contaminated with chemical byproducts and hydrocarbons associated with the drilling process. Drill pits therefore have recently fallen under severe scrutiny by various environmental regulatory agencies. A number of precautionary measures must be taken to comply with environmental regulations established by those agencies, and to ensure that the recycled water does not contaminate the surrounding ecosystem or otherwise harm wildlife. 
         [0005]    One requirement is that the drill pits be lined to prevent the contaminated water from seeping into the ground and eventually contaminating the groundwater. Another requirement is that the drill pits be covered with netting to prevent wildlife from attempting to access the water either for drinking, bathing, or especially in the case of waterfowl, just landing. 
         [0006]    Typically, a pump truck is dispatched to either deliver water to a drill pit or to draw water therefrom. The operator backs the truck up to the drill pit, pulls out a line (usually a hose or some form of flexible tubing) that is in communication with the tank of the pump truck through a pump, and the operator casts the free end of the line into the drill pit. This process is often made more difficult in that the line must be first disposed through the protective netting. This makes access to the water more difficult and can cause damage to the netting. 
         [0007]    The end of the line also tends to be dragged across the bottom of the pond, especially during withdrawal of the line by the operator. This can cause further damage to the netting, and to the protective liner at the bottom of the pit. As the line is removed from the pit and refracted for transport, it is dragged across the ground and water remaining in and on the line can contaminate the ground surrounding the pit. Sometimes the operator forgets that the line is still in the drill pit and starts to drive off without first removing the line, causing the end of the line to drag along the pit liner, as well as to spill water remaining in the line onto the ground as it emerges from the pond or drill pit. 
         [0008]    Lines are sometimes left at the drill pit on a semi-permanent basis, one end disposed through the netting and into the drill pit, the other end left lying on the ground to which the pump truck lines can be coupled. This eliminates having operators constantly deploying and withdrawing their pump lines into and out of the drill pits. These lines are not, however, secure and as a result, persons looking to dump waste water could access the drill pit for unauthorized dumping of waste water, or to draw contaminated water for unauthorized purposes. 
         [0009]    Moreover, an operator does not always position a truck with enough slack, because it is hard to tell where the end of the line is and how much slack is available in that line from inside the truck. Thus, the operator is sometimes tempted to pull on the line disposed in the drill pit to create the necessary slack to facilitate the coupling of the pump truck line to the end left on the ground. Operators also can and still do forget to decouple their truck&#39;s pump line from the line disposed in the pit and start to pull away. The end of the line in the pit can be dragged across the pond liner, potentially causing damage to the pit liner and therefore leaks of the contaminated water. 
         [0010]    Finally, there is still a significant likelihood that spillage of contaminated water, remaining in the hoses after the pumping process is complete, will occur when the operator connects or disconnects the pump truck line from the line disposed in the pond or drill pit. This can and does lead to environmental contamination of the area around the pond or drill pit in violation of environmental regulations. 
         [0011]    Known prior art implementations of attachment links made to bodies of water for purposes such as fire-fighting, are not concerned with the environmental issues of contaminated water. Moreover, those bodies of water are typically permanent rather than temporary as in the case of drill pits. Thus, known attachment links are typically at least partially if not wholly buried and anchored underground and thus not easily re-located. Such known attachment links are therefore not a suitable solution for drill pits that are created for temporary use, or for which operations are commonly rotated among a plurality of remote sites. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A pump attachment interface provides a fixed link between a line having one of its ends permanently or semi-permanently disposed in a pond or drill pit and a pump line through which water can be pumped into or out of a mobile reservoir, such as a tank mounted on a pump truck. The pump attachment interface provides a fixed connection target for the operator of a pump truck to back up to and to which to connect and disconnect the pump line. This is accomplished by disposing a conduit on or within a rectangular shaped interface body that can be either horizontal or at an angle so that the upper connection to which the pump truck line is to be connected is elevated up off of the ground and at height that is easy to see from the cab and easy to reach. The lower connection of both the horizontal and the angled conduit is also elevated from the ground for easy connection to the line disposed in the pit or pond. 
         [0013]    The interface body provides enough mass and weight to render the elevated connection point substantially stable in the environment in which the interface is deployed, yet remains portable such that it may be easily relocated to other sites. The mass and weight of the interface body also resists movement if bumped by pump trucks backing up to it, or if pulled by operators attempting to pull away before the pump truck line has been disengaged from the conduit of the interface. These features help to reduce, if not eliminate, any breaches in the required netting over the drill pit, and/or in the liner at the bottom of the drill pit or pond. 
         [0014]    The pump attachment interface can further include a spill containment catch basin that is disposed in a manner at the upper connection end of the fixed link such that any spillage of contaminated water that may occur when the operator is coupling or decoupling the pump truck hose from the elevated connection is spilled into the catch basin. This feature significantly reduces, if not eliminates the possibility of environmental contamination of the ground area near the perimeter of the drill pit or pond. An automated vacuum mechanism is provided that permits spillage in the catch basin to be vacuumed into the conduit as fluid flows through the conduit. 
         [0015]    The conduit is protected by a hinged metal cover and a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to the link. The rectangular shape permits easy stacking when not in use. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, a portable pump attachment interface provides a relocateable fixed link between a first line in communication with a fluid reservoir and a second line in communication with a mobile storage tank via a pumping mechanism. The attachment interface includes an interface body having a substantially rectangular shape and has a bottom surface for resting upon the surface of the ground, a conduit supported by the interface body to elevate and support the entire conduit above the ground, a back end of the conduit configured to be coupled to the first line, and a front end of the conduit configured to be coupled to the second line. The attachment interface also includes a spill containment catch basin formed under a fitting access space formed in a top surface of the interface body, the front end of the conduit being disposed over the spill containment catch basin and disposed within the fitting access space. The interface body is configured to substantially isolate the first line from pulling forces exerted on the second line. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the interface body is made of solid concrete so that it has sufficient weight to substantially isolate the first line from pulling forces exerted on the second line. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the pump attachment interface also includes a vacuum mechanism coupled between the conduit and the catch basin for removing spillage from the catch basin. 
         [0019]    In a further embodiment, the vacuum mechanism includes a vacuum valve coupled between the conduit and a vacuum line disposed in the catch basin, the flow of liquid through the conduit causing a vacuum within the vacuum line when the vacuum valve is open. 
         [0020]    In yet another embodiment, the conduit is angled and supported by a sloping surface within a conduit space integrally formed within the sloping surface so that the front end of the conduit is at a higher level above the ground than the back end of the conduit. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, the interface body is made of hollow molded plastic and is configured to be filled with a weighting material such that the interface body has sufficient weight to substantially isolate the first line from pulling forces exerted on the second line. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the conduit is substantially straight and supported by a conduit channel formed within a top surface of the interface body so that the front end of the conduit is at substantially the same height above the ground as the back end of the conduit. 
         [0023]    In other embodiments, the spill containment catch basin is integrally formed with the interface body. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the pump attachment interface includes a conduit cover that encloses the fitting access space when closed. The conduit cover can include a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to the fitting access space and the front end of the conduit. The conduit cover may also include a hinge between a first and a second plate, the first plate and second plate capable of being hingedly opened independently of the other. 
         [0025]    In yet another embodiment, the bottom surface of the interface body includes lift channels for receiving fork lift blades on each side of the interface body. A front surface of the interface body can also include at least one recess for receiving a bollard that is disposed in the ground upon which the bottom surface of the interface body rests. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The invention will be more fully understood with reference to the Detailed 
           [0027]    Description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a pond or drill pit having one end of a line disposed therein, a first embodiment of the invention providing a fixed link thereto coupled to the other end of the line, and further providing a coupling to a pump line of a pump truck; 
           [0029]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a pond or drill pit having one end of a line disposed therein, a second embodiment of the invention providing a fixed link thereto coupled to the other end of the line, and further providing a coupling to a pump line of a pump truck; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2A  is an oblique view of the front end of an embodiment of the invention when it is closed and locked up; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2B  is an oblique view of the back end of an embodiment of the invention when it is closed and locked up; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3B  is a plan view of the top of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3C  is a front view of the first embodiment of the invention as viewed from the perspective of a pump truck operator; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3D  is a backside view of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3E  is a plan view of the bottom surface of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4B  is a plan view of the top of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4C  is a front view of the second embodiment of the invention as viewed from the perspective of a pump truck operator; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view showing a pump truck backing up to an embodiment of the invention that is closed and locked; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view showing a pump truck that has been coupled to an embodiment of the invention that has been unlocked and opened. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a typical environment in which a second embodiment of the pump attachment interface  300  might be deployed. A cross-sectional view of a pond or drill pit  102  is shown, containing water  110  and covered by protective net  108  as supported by support members  112 . Pond or drill pit  102  has a protective liner  106  that lines the bottom of drill pit  102  to prevent the water  110  from escaping into the ground. One end of a first line  104  is semi-permanently disposed through the netting (not shown) and into the pit  102 , the other end being coupled to a back end  310  of a conduit  306  of the portable attachment interface  300  at coupling  308 . 
         [0043]    In an embodiment, the conduit  306  is shown supported by a substantially horizontal elevated surface of interface body  304 . The front end  312  of conduit  306  is shown having a coupling  314  disposed above a spill containment catch basin  302 . The sloped surface  320  of the interface body  304  stops before reaching the ground, thereby elevating conduit  306  off of the ground  100  as well. Attachment interface  300  rests upon the surface of the ground  100 , and is easily elevated for relocation using a fork lift and lift channels  321 . 
         [0044]    A second line, pump line  103  of pump truck  101 , is coupled to the upper coupling  314  of the fixed link of the invention  300 . The pump line  103  is typically connected to tank  105  of pump truck  101  through a pumping mechanism (not shown). Water  110  can be pumped from the drill pit  102  and into tank  105  of pump truck  101 , or from the tank  105  and back into drill pit  102 , all through the fixed link of the invention  300 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the same environment as  FIG. 1A , in which a second embodiment of the pump attachment interface  400  might be deployed. One end of a first line  104  is semi-permanently disposed through the netting  108  and into the pit  102 , the other end being coupled to a back end  410  of a conduit  406  of the portable attachment interface  400  at coupling  408 . In an embodiment, the conduit  406  is shown supported by a sloped surface internal to interface body  404 . The front end  412  of conduit  306  is elevated by the sloped surface to a level substantially above the back end  410  and is shown having a coupling  414  disposed above a spill containment catch basin  402 . The sloped surface of the interface body  404  stops before reaching the ground, thereby elevating the back end  410 , and coupling  408  of the conduit  406  off of the ground  100  as well. Attachment interface  400  is completely above and resting on ground  100 , and is easily lifted therefrom for relocation by way of lift channels  421 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 2A  is a view showing an oblique view of the front of attachment interface  300  when it is in a closed and locked configuration. Those of skill in the art will recognize that attachment interface  300  will have the same appearance as for attachment interface  400  from this perspective. Access to the front end  312  of conduit  306  is completely prevented by conduit cover  350 , which can be locked using any known locking mechanism  358 , such as a keyed entry, a combination entry, padlock or the like. Those of skill in the art will recognize that that any well-known locking mechanism can be used in combination with cover  350  to prevent unauthorized access to the front end  312  of conduit  306 . Conduit cover  350  may be made of any appropriate material, including metal such as stainless steel or non-corrosive aluminum. It can be fixedly secured to the top surface  334  of interface body  304  at hinge point  356   
         [0047]    Conduit cover  350  may be hinged at  356 , so that front plate  352  and guard plate  356  may be hingedly rotated away from the top surface  334  of interface body  304  when access is required. Interface body  304  is substantially rectangular in shape, having a front surface  330 , a back surface  332  ( FIG. 2B ), two side surfaces  336 , a bottom surface  338  and top surface  334 . The rectangular shape of interface body  304  permits easy stacking of interface attachments  300 ,  400  when they are not in use. Lift channels  321 ,  421  make for easy lifting and relocation of attachment interface  300 ,  400  by a fork lift. Recesses  322  are located vertically in front surface  330  to receive bollards (not shown) that may be installed at a site to protect attachment interface  300 ,  400  from tanker trucks that may otherwise inadvertently back into the attachment interface  300 ,  400 , or which may attempt to pull away with line  103  ( FIG. 1A ,  1 B) still attached. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2B  is a view showing an oblique view of the back of attachment interface  300  when it is in a closed and locked configuration. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the back of attachment interface  300  will have the same appearance as for the back of attachment interface  400  from this perspective, except that the exit opening for the coupling  408  at the back end  412  of conduit  406  from the back surface of interface body  404  will be at a lower point above ground  100  than that of interface body  304  of the first embodiment attachment interface  300 . Strap  370  can be attached to the back surface  332  of interface body  304  and coupled to the back end  310  of conduit  306  to hold conduit  306  in place. The back half of conduit  306  is covered by back plate  354  of conduit cover  350 .  FIG. 2B  shows a check valve coupling  500 , which can prevent the back-flow of water through conduit  306  in the event that the line a failure occurs that would otherwise cause such back-flow to occur. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other such devices can also be used, such as a back-flow preventer, and the like. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing a side view of the first embodiment of the invention  300 . Various internal components have been revealed in this view for illustrative purposes. Interface body  304  has a substantially horizontal surface formed by channel  320  that can be rounded to fit conduit  306 . In an embodiment, the interface body  304  can be a cement block consisting of approximately one cubic yard of six sack concrete with fibermesh and can weigh approximately 3400 pounds. The weight and mass of the attachment interface  300  therefore provides a stable platform that can serve to isolate the semi-permanently disposed first line  104  ( FIG. 1 ) from being pulled by the operator or the operator&#39;s truck. Attachment interface  300  therefore also provides a stable and elevated target for the pump truck operator to back up to. The front end  312  of the conduit  306  is also at a height that provides easy access to the operator. 
         [0050]    In an alternate embodiment, the interface body  304  can be made of a substantially non-reactive molded plastic or other suitable material that is corrosion resistant or substantially non-reactive. Because plastic does not provide the weight of concrete, the interface body  304  of such an embodiment can be hollow and filled with a weighting material such as water, sand, or any other suitable material by which to provide sufficient weight for stability of the attachment interface  300 . In an embodiment, a fill plug (not shown) can be located in the top surface  334  that can be opened and used to introduce the weighting material interface to the body  304 . A drain plug (not shown) located near the bottom of the interface body can be opened to drain the weighting material from the interface body  304  to make it easier to move. It will be obvious to those of skill in the art that additional plugs or other well-known means can be employed to fill and drain the interface body  304  of suitable weighting material. 
         [0051]    Conduit  306  is at least partially supported by the horizontal channel surface  320  and can be secured thereto by strap  370 . In an embodiment, the conduit  306  can be disposed inside of channel  320  such that the conduit  306  is substantially recessed inside of channel  320  as illustrated. This permits the back plate  354  to completely cover conduit  306  and lie flush and even with top surface  334 . 
         [0052]    In an embodiment, the conduit  306  can be made of a non-corrosive material such as aluminum. The conduit can be of a suitable diameter, such as four inches. In an embodiment, the width of the channel  320  can be just larger than the diameter of conduit  306  so that once conduit  306  is seated within channel  320  through slight deformation of the diameter of the conduit  306 , the sides of channel  320  provide additional gripping force to help clamping means  370  retain the conduit  306  in channel  320 . Clamping means  370  can be any suitable structure that might be employed to retain conduit  306  within channel  230 , including a strap bolted to the back surface  332  of interface body  304  as shown, or brackets, ties, clamps, etc. 
         [0053]    In an embodiment, the front end  312  of conduit  306  extends from channel  320  into fitting access space  315  and over a spill containment space  302 . Fitting access space  315  is deep enough to permit easy access to fitting  308  to facilitate coupling thereto decoupling therefrom, and allows front plate  352  of cover  350  to be flush and substantially even with top surface  334  when closed. Guard plate  356  extends perpendicularly to the front surface  330  from front plate  352  by a distance that is substantially equal to the depth of the fitting access space  315 . Guard plate  356  thereby encloses the front of the fitting access space  315  that extends into the front surface  330  of interface body  304 . 
         [0054]    Spill containment space  302  is integrally formed within interface body  304  and is of sufficient size to either form a spill containment catch basin itself, or to receive a spill containment catch basin component therein (not shown) that can be removably disposed under fitting  314  and within spill containment space  302 . Spill containment space/basin  302  is disposed to catch any water that may spill from the pump line  103  as it is coupled and/or decoupled from the fitting  314 . A catch basin component can be of any design, such as the “Pumpkin” spill containment system manufactured by Renegade Oilfield Products, LLC in Beaumont, Tex. Those of skill in the art will recognize that for embodiments where the spill containment space serves as the spill containment basin, it may be lined with a non-reactive material such as aluminum or stainless steel. 
         [0055]    A vacuum line  502  is disposed into the catch basin  302  and is coupled to conduit  306  through a control valve  504 . A truck operator can open the control valve  504  while pumping water through the conduit  306 , into or out of pit  102 , to create a vacuum that will vacuum out any spilled water that has been collected into the basin through line  502  and into conduit  306 . Thus, spillage of contaminated water into the catch basin  302  can be easily removed without it being necessary to handle the water in any way manually. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3B  shows a plan view of the top of an embodiment of the pump attachment interface  300 . The cover  350  has been removed for convenience of illustrating the components therein. Interface body  304  is shown, having top surface  334 . The conduit channel  320  starts at the back surface  332  of the interface body  304  and runs toward the front surface  330 , widening into fitting access space  315 . The spill containment space/basin  302  is formed within the fitting access space  315 . Rebar lifting rings  328  are provided in the top surface  334  so that the attachment interface  300  can be more easily lifted and placed into position by, for example, a fork-lift truck. Concave recesses  322  are integrally formed in interface body  304  by which to receive bollards ( 600 ,  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) that can be installed in the ground at a site to provide additional protection and stability to attachment interface  300 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 3C  is a front view of an embodiment of the pump attachment interface  300  as viewed from the perspective of a pumping truck operator. This view shows a front surface  330  that extends from the ground to the top surface  334 , and shows coupling  314  of the upper end  312  of conduit  306  as it would appear to a pump truck operator. The cover  350  (not shown) is unlocked, opened and hingedly rotated away from the top surface  334  to reveal the fitting  314  and the vacuum mechanism that can include vacuum control valve  504  and vacuum line  502 . Spill containment space  325  is deep enough to permit easy access to fitting  314 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 3D  shows a backside view of attachment interface  300  that shows the back end  310  of conduit  306 , and fitting  308  which is coupled to the line  104  that is disposed in the pit  102 . Strap  370  is bolted to the back surface  332  and holds the conduit in place. Cover  350  is not shown for simplicity of illustration. 
         [0059]      FIG. 3E  shows the bottom surface  338  of interface body  304 . Lift channels  321  are integrally formed in bottom surface  338  to facilitate lifting of the attachment interface, such as by fork lift from all sides of the interface body. The lifting channels are dimensioned to receive standard sizes of fork lift blades. 
         [0060]      FIG. 4A  is a diagram showing a side view of the second embodiment of the invention  400  ( FIG. 1B ). Interface body  404  has a conduit space  420  formed integrally therein that has a width that is just slightly wider than the diameter of conduit  406  and extends from approximately where the conduit becomes horizontal at the front end  412 , to approximately where the conduit  406  becomes horizontal and exits the back surface of the interface body  404 . The conduit space can be substantially rectangular in shape, or it can follow the angle of the conduit  406  as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0061]    In an embodiment, the interface body  404  can be a cement block consisting of approximately 1 cubic yard of six sack concrete with fibermesh and can weigh approximately 3300 pounds. The weight and mass of the attachment interface  400  therefore provides a stable platform that can serve to isolate the semi-permanently disposed first line  104  ( FIG. 1 ) from being pulled by the operator or the operator&#39;s truck. Attachment interface  400  therefore also provides a stable and elevated target for the pump truck operator to back up to. The front end  412  of the conduit  406  is also at a height that provides easy access to the operator. 
         [0062]    The sloping surface of conduit space  420  can be formed to support conduit  406  and is disposed inside of space  420  such that the conduit  406  is substantially located inside of interface body  404  as illustrated. This permits cover  450  to completely cover conduit  306  and to lie flush with top surface  334 . In an embodiment, the conduit  406  can be made of a non-corrosive material such as aluminum. The conduit  406  can be of any suitable diameter, such as four inches for example. 
         [0063]    In an embodiment, the width of the channel  420  can be just larger than the diameter of conduit  406  and the interface body  404  can be formed with the conduit  406  positioned therein. Clamping means  370  can be used to provide additional support at the back end  410  of conduit  406  ( FIG. 4C ). Thus, clamping means  370  can be any suitable structure that can be employed to retain conduit  406  within space  420 , including a strap bolted to the back surface  432  of interface body  404 , or brackets, ties, clamps, etc. 
         [0064]    The benefit of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  is that the back end  410  of conduit  406  exits back surface  432  at a lower position above the ground. This will place less stress on the coupling  408  when the line  104  is coupled thereto. As can be seen, the exit point of the back end  410  does not reach all the way to the ground  100 , but ends at a point that is just above the ground  100 . The exit point is of a height sufficient to elevate the back end  410  of conduit  406  above the ground  100  to make it easy to couple line  104  to fitting  408 . 
         [0065]    In an embodiment, the conduit  406  can have an elbow bend at an angle substantially equivalent to the angle of the sloping surface of space  420  such that the portion of back end  410  of conduit  406 , after the elbow bend, is roughly parallel to the ground  100  as illustrated. This makes adapter fitting  408  more easily accessible for coupling to the first line  104 , the other end of which is disposed in a pond or drill pit  102 . This also ensures that the coupling is not at or too near the ground  100  upon which the interface body  404  rests. 
         [0066]    In an embodiment, the front end  412  of conduit  406  extends from channel  420  into fitting access space  415  and over a spill containment space  402 . Fitting access space  415  is deep enough to permit easy access to fitting  408  to facilitate coupling thereto, and allows front plate  452  of cover  450  to be flush and substantially even with top surface  434  when closed. Guard plate  456  is substantially the same length as the depth of the fitting access space  415  to thereby enclose the front of the fitting access space  415 . 
         [0067]    Spill containment space  402  is of sufficient size to either form a spill containment catch basin itself that is integrally formed within interface body  404 , or to receive a spill containment catch component therein (not shown) that can be removably disposed under fitting  414  and within spill containment space  402  to catch any water that may spill from the pump line  103  as it is coupled and/or decoupled from the fitting  414 . A catch basin component can be of any design, such as the “Pumpkin” spill containment system manufactured by Renegade Oilfield Products, LLC in Beaumont, Tex. 
         [0068]    A vacuum line  502  is disposed into the catch basin  402  and is coupled to conduit  306  through a control valve  504 . A truck operator can open the control valve  504  while pumping water through the conduit  406 , into or out of pit  102 , to create a vacuum that will vacuum out any water that has been collected into the basin through line  502  and into conduit  406 . Thus, spillage of contaminated water into the catch basin  402  can be easily removed without it being necessary to handle the water in any way manually. 
         [0069]      FIG. 4B  is a plan view of the top of attachment interface  400 . The cover  450  has been removed for convenience of illustrating the components therein. Interface body  404  is shown, having top surface  434 . The conduit space  420  starts at the back surface  432  of the interface body  404  and runs toward the front surface  430 , widening into fitting access space  415 . The spill containment space/basin  402  is formed within the fitting access space  415 . Rebar lifting rings  428  are provided in the top surface  434  so that the attachment interface  400  can be more easily lifted and placed into position by, for example, a fork-lift truck. Concave recesses  422  are integrally formed in interface body  404  by which to receive bollards ( 600 ,  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) that can be installed in the ground at a site to provide additional protection and stability to attachment interface  400 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 4C  shows a backside view of attachment interface  400  that shows the back end  410  of conduit  406 , and fitting  408  which is coupled to the line  104  that is disposed in the pit  102 . Strap  470  is bolted to the back surface  432  and holds the conduit  406  in place. Cover  450  is not shown for simplicity of illustration. 
         [0071]    It should be noted that the front view of attachment interface  400  is virtually identical to that of attachment interface  300  as illustrated in  FIG. 3C . Further, the bottom surface of attachment interface  400  is virtually identical to the bottom surface of attachment interface  300  as illustrated in  FIG. 3E . 
         [0072]      FIG. 5A  shows a scenario where a pump truck is backing up to attachment interface  300 , which is closed and locked. Bollards  600  are disposed in the ground  100  and attachment interface body  304  is placed against bollards  600 , which are received by concave recesses  322  (hidden, but shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D). It will be appreciated that attachment interface embodiment  400  is completely interchangeable with attachment interface embodiment  300  as shown. 
         [0073]      FIG. 5B  shows a scenario where a truck operator has opened cover  350  by unlocking the locking mechanism  358 , and rotating open front plate  552  and front guard  358  to expose the front end  312  of conduit  306 . Pump line  103  is attached to fitting  314 . It will be appreciated that attachment interface embodiment  400  is completely interchangeable with attachment interface embodiment  300  as shown. 
         [0074]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8