Following completion of Chapter 8, students should be able to:

1. Determine the locations of lift stations.
2. Describe the requirements of a lift station.
3. Discuss the components of a lift station.
4. Indicate the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of controllers.
5. Review lift station prints and specifications.
6. Inspect a new lift station.
7. Keep a lift station operating as intended.
8. Determine the frequency of visits to a lift station.
9. Perform necessary lift station maintenance tasks.
10. Prepare record forms for a lift station, complete them, and file them.

Lift stations or pumping stations lift wastewater to a higher elevation when the continuance of the sewer at reasonable slopes would involve excessive depths of trench, or when the wastewater must be raised from areas too low to drain into available sewers. The most desirable operation of a lift station is the situation in which all the flow and solids that discharge into the wet well from the gravity sewer are lifted to the higher elevation and continue to the wastewater treatment plant without delay.

This chapter discusses the components of a lift station, including the wet well, control systems, pumps, ventilation, and auxiliary equipment. How to inspect and place a new lift station into service is very important. After the station is placed on line, the station must be properly operated and a preventive maintenance program must be implemented. Frequency of visits to lift stations depends on operating conditions of the station; potential damage that could result from lift station failure; condition of the equipment; effectiveness of the preventive maintenance program; and type, adequacy, and reliability of the telemetry system.

Proper lift station maintenance is critical to minimizing lift station failures and odor complaints from the public. Accurate and useful records must be kept of all pertinent lift station data including costs, operating procedures, maintenance, unscheduled repairs, and modifications.

The supplement to this chapter presents a typical lift station book describing the maintenance and overhaul procedures for an actual lift station.

< Previous Next >

Close