What Is A Wastewater Lift Station?

A wastewater lift station is a pumping station that moves wastewater from low areas of land to a higher point so it can again flow by gravity. Raw sewage makes its way underground in sloped pipelines that take advantage of gravity to keep costs down. The benefit of using a lift station in a sewage collection system is that it saves a substantial amount of money in excavation costs. Because sewer pipes live underground, digging trenches to either install them or repair them is costly. Installing a wastewater lift station at certain points in a gravity pipeline system saves money without sacrificing efficiency or functionality.

What regular maintenance is required for a wastewater lift station?

Lift stations require regular attention by the city’s sewer department to ensure all components are functioning appropriately. These include:

  • Daily checks for obstructions or build-up of material that may clog the pumps
  • Regular wet well cleaning
  • Exercising of valves
  • Hydro Jet (high-pressure water) cleaning, and a camera inspection of all collection system pipes on a 4 to 5-year cycle

What problems can arise from a poorly maintained wastewater lift station?

  • When a lift station fails, by either a force main break, power outage, or pump failure, wastewater will collect in the lift station wet well and backup into the collection system. This could result in sewer backups into homes or cause wastewater to overflow from the lift station to the surrounding environment.
  • Wastewater lift stations are also susceptible to clogs from fats, oils, and grease (FOG) generated by restaurants and businesses, as well as “flushable’ rags from households and multi-unit residential buildings.
  • Wastewater lift stations can be a source of bad odors that become a nuisance to neighboring properties. The smelly gas from the collected sewage is also highly corrosive and can damage the wet well structure, the piping, and pumps over time.
  • Wastewater lift stations are crucial for moving sewage in places where the land is flat or has lots of hills, making it cheaper and easier to manage waste. They help connect new or far-off areas to the main sewage system without a lot of digging and expense. These stations prevent sewage overflow, protect the environment and keep our water clean. They also handle changes in sewage flow, keeping the treatment process steady. Overall, lift stations are important for keeping our communities healthy, clean, and growing efficiently.

Rocket Plumbing has lots of expertise in Drain Cleaning, especially hydro jetting, and can help maintain your municipal lift station with regular cleaning and in-pipe camera inspection. If you feel you need a lift station, are concerned yours is failing, or need someone to maintain your lift station and pump system, don’t hesitate to give our experts a call at (630) 228-1440.

Hydro Jet

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