What is a Lift Station?

A lift station is a pumping station that moves wastewater from a lower elevation to a higher elevation when the gradient of the area does not allow for a natural flow. 

There are two main elements to a lift station : the wet well and the controls. The wet well is a basin into which the inflow is discharged and where the pumps sit. The control panel is the brain of the lift station.

How does a lift station work?

Wastewater and sewage is stored and fed into a pit. Once the sewage reaches a certain level, electrical instruments recognize the pit is full and activate the pump, which will then pump the sewage out to its next destination. Most lift stations are housed underground to prevent health risks in a confined area, since the wastewater can release poisonous gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, it is essential that owners of existing lift stations consult a professional, like Cloud 9 Services, to ensure the pump is still working sufficiently.

Lift Station Maintenance

When communities are built at a low elevation, the normal systems for wastewater transport and filtration aren't going to cut it. In cases where sewage tanks or systems are lower than water treatment plants, lift stations are used to pump sewage and wastewater to a higher elevation. Because whole communities or industrial plants depend on functioning lift stations to keep their community's water clean, hiring an expert to maintain and pump them frequently is vital. Our Technicians are equipped to handle all of the service and repair needs of commercial and industrial lift stations.

Our lift station maintenance service include :

• Clearing of grease, grit, and debris
• Inflow/infiltration assessment
• Testing of check valves and pressure gauges
• Float Rising
• Removal of soap accumulation
• General Cleaning
• Testing System cycling
• Reading accuracy checks
• Grease control
• Removal of grease build-up

Lift Station Cleaning 

When change in ground elevation make proper drainage difficult, lift stations keep wastewater flowing correctly. Lift stations, like tanks and pipes, can become clogged from accumulated waste. When this occurs, the tank may begin to overflow and cause unsanitary, foul smelling puddles to form. 

How often should you clean your lift stations? 

Commercial lift stations may require more frequent cleaning but it is recommended to clean it at least once a year. ​ This process can be done by having our jet vac trucks dislodge the accumulated waste and then suck it all away. This leaves your lift station unclogged and ready for continued use. At Cloud 9, A Wind River Company we are quipped to handle all your lift station cleaning needs.