Lift Stations
Pumping stations in wastewater collection systems, also called lift stations, are normally designed to handle raw wastewater fed from underground gravity pipelines (pipes laid at an angle so that a liquid can flow in one direction under gravity). Wastewater is fed into and stored in a concrete structure underground, commonly known as a wet well. The well is equipped with electrical instrumentation to detect the level of wastewater present. When the wastewater level rises to a predetermined point, a pump will automatically start to lift the wastewater upward through a pressurized pipe system called a force main or rising main, from where the wastewater is discharged into a gravity manhole. From here, the cycle starts all over again until the wastewater reaches its point of destination– usually a treatment plant. This method uses pumping stations to move waste to higher elevations. In case high volumes of wastewater flow into the well (for example, during peak flow periods and wet weather), additional pumps will start. If this is insufficient, or in the case of failure of the pumping station, a backup in the sewer system can occur, leading to a sanitary sewer overflow (the discharge of raw wastewater into the environment).
