It’s been a problem that has been with man ever since he began forming communities in order to live closer to other humans. That is simply, how to most efficiently transport sewage from homes to treatment facilities.
Gravity-dependent systems can’t cope with modern sewage disposal demands. And compounding the problem in recent years have been developments such as small communities being forced to convert from septic tank systems to a system using central treatment plants.
Also, housing developments are being set up on low-lying land that was considered to have marginal value in the past because sewage would have to be pumped uphill from the homes. Lakeside home sites are more and more popular, and these locations are often prohibited from having septic tanks in order to preserve the quality of the water in the lake. Government parks may be located in a variety of terrains requiring all sorts of special sewage transport systems. Mobile home parks are being constructed on all types of sites which may have uneven land areas with their own particular wastewater needs.
The answer to the above mentioned problems can be found in the form of the centrifugal-type grinder pump in a low-pressure sewer line system.
The new generation of grinder pumps is superior because of its recessed impeller design, superior bearing design, superior bearing design, corrosion protection, large throat openings, more powerful motor and the lack of adjustments required once the unit is in operation…The motors are available by Underwriter’s Laboratory for Class 1 Group D Explosion Proof applications and has grinder cutters that are easy to service.
A report presented by Frees and Nichols, Inc. of Austin to a sectional meeting of the American Society of Civil Engineers in ElPaso some years ago, describes an installation of the grinder pump system in Kingsland, Texas.
The engineers said that a conventional gravity sewage system would cost the Kingsland Municipal Water District about $10.4 million. However, the low pressure system using grinder pumps cost less than half of that figure or $5 million.
The engineers summed up the economic aspects of the systems as follows: “It has been well demonstrated by the increasing numbers of new projects that low-pressure sewer system offer attractive capital cost for new developments, especially those on waterfront property and or in difficult soil conditions. However, the Kingsland experience shows that in particularly difficult installation circumstances, low-pressure systems can be superior in total project cost, even for existing developments.”
The Gulf States Utilities ran some test on the cost of having a grinder pump system. Those test found that in a family of four, composed of a father, a wife who is was at home all day, and two teenage sons, the system cost an additional just pennies a day on the electric bill. However, the main savings realized from the grinder system is due to the fact that the grinder system uses such a small diameter pipe compared to conventional systems. This greatly eases the task to laying the pipe and lessens the amount of destruction to the ground.
To further save cost several homes can be connected into one sewage pumping station. Infiltration is no problem with this system because the lines are under constant pressure and the main treatment plant doesn’t waste its time treating rainwater.
The sewage in the grinder system is also more finely ground than that in conventional systems, thus making it easier for the treatment plant to process the sewage. No collection screen are therefore needed at the plant.
Sewage Grinder Stations are attractive for cities hoping to expand their existing utility service area. Thus, attract more industry and better accommodate the expanding housing market. Grinder Pump Units will also attract more attention from individuals interested in acquiring lots to build homes on because such systems will make sewage transportation feasible where it once wasn’t!