What is a sewage lift stations and how do they work

May 15,

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Wind River Environmental

How do sewage lift stations work?

Sewage lift stations are used for pumping wastewater or sewage from a lower to higher elevation, particularly where the elevation of the source is not sufficient for gravity flow and/or when the use of gravity conveyance will result in excessive excavation and higher construction costs. Sewage lift stations/pump stations may be used as a matter of economics or to overcome inadequate hydraulic head when it is obvious that no other solution is practical. For instance, it may be more economical to utilize a sewage pump station to pump or lift the sewage over a ridge and let it flow by gravity to a sewage treatment plant, or to elevate sewage to pass through a sewage treatment system by gravity.

What are the key components of a lift station?

Often called lift stations, units are commonly built as a factory assembled package system. Key elements of lift/pump stations include a wastewater treatment receiving well (wet-well), equipped with lift pumps and piping with valves, a junction box, and an equipment control panel with alarm system. The submersible type lift/pump station can be utilized on low flow, low head type installations. Two types of pumps are available for this application, grinder pumps and solids handling pumps. A properly designed wet well is essential for efficient and trouble-free operation of the lift/pump station. The purpose of a wet well is to provide a means of allowing automatic operation of the lift station with a simple control. Use of the wet well for any other purpose, such as a storage reservoir for sewage, is not recommended. The wet well should be as small as possible in order to minimize detention time of the sewage. Should the wastewater remain too long in the wet well, septic action may occur. Although, the wet well should be large enough so excessive starting and stopping of the lift station pump will not take place. Advantages of submersible lift/pump stations are that they typically cost less than dry-well stations and operate without frequent pump maintenance. Submersible lift/pump stations do not usually include large above ground structures and tend to blend in with their surrounding environment.

How long do sewage lift stations last?

For the most part, an engineer can anticipate a life expectancy of 15 - 20 years or more from steel lift stations. This is more than adequate in cost cases, since the anticipated flow rates are usually designed for only ten years expansion. Steel lift stations are coated with a high solids epoxy paint system and further protected by anodes to deter cathodic action.

If you are in need of maintenance, repairs, or cleaning services on your sewage lift station or require a lift station installation, contact us at Wind River Environmental. Our lift station experts are here for all your lift station needs so call today, to speak with one of our experts.

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Lift stations, otherwise known as pumping stations, play an often unseen yet critical role in our daily life. They function as key elements in waste management systems. They are especially important in regions where topography hinders the natural flow of waste via gravitation. This miraculous blend of physics and technology moves sewage from lower areas to higher grounds. Eventually leading the waste to treatment facilities. This piece is geared towards shedding light on the significant role of lift stations, their working mechanism, and the importance of their regular maintenance and cleaning.

What is a Lift Station?

A lift station, or otherwise known as a pumping station, is a crucial part of the sewage disposal process. Located at low points on the sewage piping network, they work to move the sewage from lower to higher ground. This is particularly needed in areas where the topography doesn&#;t allow for a simple, gravity-fed system. By using electricity to drive pumps and valves, lift stations ensure that waste is transported efficiently and practically through the often complex systems of pipes in a municipality.

How Do Lift Stations Work?

The working mechanism of lift stations is pretty straightforward. At the base level, a lift station primarily consists of a sewage receiving well (also known as a wet well), equipped with pumps and a junction box. The sewage flows into the wet well, the level of which is carefully monitored. When the sewage level reaches a pre-set point, a switch activates the pumps to transport the sewage to a higher level. This helps moves waste where gravity can then take over to keep it flowing to the treatment plant. It&#;s a perfect blend of simple physics and modern technology.

A lift station may be equipped with one or more pumps. This depends on the volume of sewage it needs to handle and the height (also known as head) it needs to achieve. Furthermore, to ensure safety and uniformity in the operation, the pumps are often installed with a backup in case of failure or to handle surges in the waste flow.

Management and Cleaning of Lift Stations

Just like any other mechanical and electrical system, lift stations require regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure seamless operation. The frequency of cleaning depends on the usage of the station. A heavily used lift station might require cleaning and pump servicing every 4 to 6 months. A less-used station might only need annual service. Regardless of the regularity, what&#;s important is that lift station cleaning is a key step in ensuring the longevity of the infrastructure. Additionally, it helps maintain the effectiveness of the waste disposal process.

Cleaning involves the removal of accumulated solid materials. These can hinder the path of the sewage flow or disrupt the working mechanism of the pumps and other equipment. Maintenance involves routine checks on equipment such as pumps, float switches, and alarms. It also involves making sure the control panel is in good working condition.

Maintenance can reduce the occurrence of emergency breakdowns. Also, it can prolong the life of lift station equipment, it&#;s not always simply a DIY task. Due to the complex nature of the machinery and the need for specialist knowledge, it&#;s often recommended that a professional company is contracted for these tasks.

Call Southwaste Disposal For Lift Station Maintenance

In conclusion, lift stations play a pivotal role in waste disposal. They bridge the topographical challenges of utility systems. Additionally, they ensure efficient transfer of sewage from areas of lower elevation to the treatment plants. Designed smartly, these stations employ switching mechanisms that enable them to work autonomously. They only require human intervention for routine cleaning and maintenance tasks. By investing in regular maintenance, we can ensure the longevity and reliability of these silent workhorses of waste disposal. If you have questions about your lift station, give Southwaste Disposal a call.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Basement Sewer Lift Station.