Maintaining Lift Stations
by Fred Hand
CRWA Wastewater Technician
There are two really good reasons for the operator to provide good quality preventative maintenance on lift stations.
First- A totally neglected lift station will probably fail at the worst time, (during time off) and with the stinky and slimiest conditions possible. Also, it is usually the operator who neglected the lift station who has the responsibility of finding the problem and fixing it.
Second- If there's a sanitary sewer overflow or a flooded basement with irritated customers howling for retribution, it is you, the operator, who has to explain why and how to do the emergency repairs faster than superman, submit reports, and try to soothe everyone's nerves. Then after it's over, you get to live with the embarrassment and blame game that usually follow.
The solution to these problems, of course, is preventative maintenance with the appropriate spare parts available.
An operator who performs frequent preventative maintenance checks will rest easy knowing things are in the best condition possible. They may still receive an emergency call now and then, but at least he or she is working with familiar equipment in good repair, recently exercised, in the cleanest possible environment.
What is appropriate preventative maintenance for a lift station? Here are some suggestions from several different utilities.
Daily or at least three times a week
Make a quick check
Run both pumps testing check valve closures
Record the hour meters and determine normal or abnormal run times
(long run times can indicate plugging, worn pumps or increased infiltration)
Clean floats or sensors
Make sure pumps are back on auto when you leave
Ouarterly
A thorough deep cleaning of everything
Test each float or sensor
Check electronics for moisture or corrosion and electrical connections for tightness.
Test alarm systems and perform amperage reading on each pump.
(Abnormal amp readings will reveal a plugged, semi-plugged or worn out condition).
Annually to bi-annuallv
Pull up and inspect submersible pumps
Check for impeller wear or damage
Check lift cable for chain corrosion
Apply any lubrication needed
Clean and inspect check valves if possible
Inspect the wet well construction material for corrosion and leakage
Operators are wise to record every action performed and all pump hour reading in a permament log book for proof of what was done, indications of trends or changes in operations, and help in maintenance scheduling.
An inventory of spare parts or the ability to get spare parts, within hours on a hoilday or weekend, is essential. An emergency generator and portable pump with adequate capacity are highly recommended to have on hand or on a pre-arranged emergency rental or borrow basis.
Some system owners don't insist on preventative maintenance, leaving it optional for the operator. These operators would be wise to initiate it themselves, because it's only a matter of time for a big and unpleasant mess if they don't.