Pump package relieves solids buildup

Problem

A South Carolina homeowner installed a 1,000-gallon septic tank atop a former gravel pit. The soils had limited absorption and solids buildup required frequent clean-outs. Adding a conventional grinder pump reduced the volume of solids, but hydrogen sulfide gas ruined the pump in four years. When the fourth replacement pump began making bearing noise, the homeowner looked for another option.

Solution

The pre-engineered low-pressure sewage system from Flygt was recommended. It has a fiberglass-reinforced polyester wet well with either a progressive cavity or centrifugal grinder pump. The impeller's hardened cutting rings macerate solids. The package includes a level indicator, panel display, alarm, and waterproof control box isolated from possible sump flooding.

Result

The system installed easily and solved the homeowner's problem. 704/409-9700; www.flygtus.com.

STEP system survives hurricane

Problem

The Pearlington (Miss.) Wastewater Treatment Facility needed a way to transport wastewater from homes and businesses to the plant.

Solution

Engineer Nick Mignone of Compton Engineering in Bay St. Louis designed a septic tank effluent pump system using components from Quanics. Each of 600 locations received a septic tank with cast-in-place risers, a STEP package with a filtered pump vault and P-TE-10P high-head effluent pump, and a control panel with emergency generator hookup. The pump discharged to small-diameter pressure lines running to the plant.

Result

In August 2012, Hurricane Isaac hit Pearlington and did only minor damage to its wastewater collection system. 877/782-6427; www.quanics.net.

Linear air compressor eliminates odors

Problem

Tom Cook, sales manager of Southwestern Controls in Dallas, Texas, had a customer complain of a foul odor from surface irrigation. Cook found the air compressor was working on the 500-gallon aerobic treatment unit, but the system was experiencing heavier-than-average loads.

Solution

Eddie Burns and Mike Ormsby, territory managers with Septic Sewage Pumps, recommended a Gast DBM80 linear compressor to supply more air to the aeration chamber, allowing bacteria in it to thrive and digest nutrients.

Result

The odor disappeared and the customer was satisfied. 800/292-9087; www.septicsewagepumps.com.