Lift Stations (or lift pump stations) normally refers to wastewater collection systems which utilize submersible or above ground pumps to help transport liquid wastewater from homes and businesses across the City through sewer mains to the wastewater treatment plant for processing.

Lift Stations

Lift station construction mainly consists of poured or prefab concrete structures, but can also be steel "can" stations. These systems are subjected to a corrosive environment due to corrosive water and gases.  Pumps, collection piping, force main piping inside the station, the concrete or steel structure itself are, more often than not, subject to substantial deterioration due to the corrosive environment.  Failures due to deterioration are common.   Downtime and subsequent repairs can be costly.     Routine maintenance is often high.   Gases can also enter into the control panel corroding control circuitry and cause premature failures.

Odors

An additional problem with lift stations is odor generation which can often be significant.  In addition to nuisances for local residents, concerns for sewer personnel exposed to accumulated, potentially legal build up of gases can be costly.

 

Aeration is an option to reduce odor to treat oxygen-deficient environments.  Other chemicals alternatives are available to help create an oxygen rich environment.  However, normally, the cost to retrofit old sewer systems with air lines or purchases large bulk containers of chemicals can be cost prohibitive and ultimately do not solve the problem.  In addition, most chemical additives dissolve grease build up (one odor causing problem) only to send the emulsified grease to the treatment plant – this simply moves the problem around and could result in potential fines.

 

Pine or Citrus Scented blocks also have been added to neutralize odors, but often simply mask the problem by emitting a stronger, more acceptable odor into the air.
  

Fats, oil and grease (FOG) have detrimental impacts on wastewater collection and treatment systems causing many of the odors and contributing to corrosion. They can also be hard to treat once entering at wastewater treatment plant.   Most collection system blockages can be traced to FOG.   Blockages in the wastewater collection system often result in sewage spills, manhole overflows, or sewage backups in homes and businesses and can be costly. With the increase in fast food restaurants, many municipalities are having problems with an increase in grease build-up in their collection lines and lift stations.  Treatments are available, but finding one that does actually treats the problem rather than masking it or moving the problem further down line can be difficult.   ESI has tried many products and have been part of many trials, and we finally have found one that we now represent and stand behind.

Grease Elimination.pdf