Agenda - 05-22-1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Actually, restoration is less of a up,the STEP pump should operate problem than with installing a 4" up to 10-15 years before major over- or 6" gravity service line due to haul will be required (replace seals, the narrow and shallow trenches bearings,motor).During the interim required. some pumps will require service but this should be in the range of 1%of E. Operating Problems - Once a pressure sewer system is started units in operation per year. This up and any initial problems are means that if you have 1,000 units in corrected,the system will require a given project you could expect ongoing service as with any other approximately 10 service calls per sewer system.Occasionally a pump year on the pump. This percentage will plug when some large solid would increase accordingly as you object such as a propylactic gets approached 10 years of operation_ by the septic tank baffle.However, this is a rare occurance. Grease In addition to the pump, there will does not present a potential prob- be service requirements for other tern of fouling controls as in the problems, such as control failures, case of grinder pressure sewers occasional pump plugging, pump air since most of the grease remains lock, etc. These types of nuisance in the septic tank. It must be problems can usually be corrected remembered that the septic tank at the installation site and will ac- of a STEP pressure sewer will count for another 3% of service calls continue to accumulate solids_ per year. This, in conjunction with This will require that the septic - pump failure service calls, would add tank be pumped periodically. up to 4% service calls per year for Based on past experience the pump systems in operation. pump-out cycle should be 10 years or greater using a 1000 It is a general consensus of opinion gallon septic tank. The septage that a once a year preventive main- can be used as a soil conditioner tenance program is helpful to reduc- or fertilizer under proper treat- ing potential service problems. This ment and control. would include removing cover, oper- 1 ate pump manually, exercise shutoff 1 OPERATION & valve,check alarm system and meas- MAINTENANCE ure sludge level of septic tank. One important step to reduce poten- The most important consideration in tial service calls is the education of installing a STEP pressure sewer the homeowners. It is very helpful system, aside from capital costs, is to distribute a pamphlet to the public the effect and cost of ongoing main- describing how a pressure sewer tenance. It is generally recognized works and what the homeowner that pressure sewers will require should do in case of a failure. A list more maintenance than a convention- of "Do's and Don'ts" will reduce the al sewer system due to the large possibility of the user discharging amount of mechanical equipment on unwanted items into the drain system, 'hand. This is especially true if you such as towels,panty hose and cloth- • are installing a pump system at each ing articles. Although the STEP individual home.which would be the • pump is designed to handle small • case in over 80%of pressure sewers solids within reasonable limits, it is installed to date. better to keep such articles out of either conventional gravity sewers or Since.the industry has over 14 years • pressure sewers whenever possible of field experience with STEP pres- In the case of a STEP pressure sure sewer operation, it is possible ' sewer, most of the heavy solids will to offer some observations on their settle to the bottom of the septic tank. operation and sewer requirements. . Experience has indicated that the If a pressure sewer is designed prop- maintenance cost to maintain the erly, installed correctly and quality service lines and force mains is negli- • pump equipment is utilized,the sys- gible. Occasionally a pipe is frozen tem will perform satisfactorily. The or a pipe broken due to excavation submersible centrifugal STEP pump , work in the area. is the most reliable component with- in the pump system.Once any bugs are worked out of system on start 6 _ °"""�— . CRAIG B.MORGAN AND ASSOCIATES,P.A.