Water Sector News
A snapshot of clean water stories from publications around the country, updated daily!
Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) and Non-Flushable Wipes Cause Problems at Pump Stations and Private Residences or Businesses
Apr 29, 2020
https://www.floridatrend.com/article/29177/fats-oils-and-grease-fog-and-non-flushable-wipes-cause-problems-at-pump-stations-and-private-residences-or-businesses
Recently, over a period of three (3) days, a department contractor removed 108 cubic yards of grease and non-flushable wipes from the wetwell at Sulphur Springs Pump Station located at 7902 North 13th Street. Grease and non-flushable wipes cause a myriad of problems at pump stations and private residences or businesses. When grease and wipes combine in pipes, they form “fatbergs”. Fatbergs are an industry-wide problem and many wastewater treatment plants are redesigning wetwells to prevent fatbergs from clogging equipment at pump stations and pipes in the collection system. Issues at pump stations caused by fatbergs often times lead to sanitary sewer overflows at pump stations or via manholes onto public roads or sidewalks. To address this issue, the Wastewater Department has reconfigured wetwells at three (3) major pump stations and at the treatment plant. These reconfigurations have cost several million dollars.
Recently, over a period of three (3) days, a department contractor removed 108 cubic yards of grease and non-flushable wipes from the wetwell at Sulphur Springs Pump Station located at 7902 North 13th Street. Grease and non-flushable wipes cause a myriad of problems at pump stations and private residences or businesses. When grease and wipes combine in pipes, they form “fatbergs”. Fatbergs are an industry-wide problem and many wastewater treatment plants are redesigning wetwells to prevent fatbergs from clogging equipment at pump stations and pipes in the collection system. Issues at pump stations caused by fatbergs often times lead to sanitary sewer overflows at pump stations or via manholes onto public roads or sidewalks. To address this issue, the Wastewater Department has reconfigured wetwells at three (3) major pump stations and at the treatment plant. These reconfigurations have cost several million dollars.