The Otay River Pump Station, which pumps 7-9 mgd of raw sewage to San Diego’s South Bay Water Reclamation Facility for water recovery, had a problem in the large 50-foot-long by 10-foot-wide by 30-foot-deep wet well.
“We were having thick blanketing (scum) problems at the pump stations costing over $125,000 a year just on clean up of the wet wells,” says the Otay River Pump Station plant technician supervisor.
Chopper pumps
Vaughan Chopper Pumps are suitable for use in pump stations and lift stations as conditioning pumps. When used as a conditioning pump, a submersible Vaughan Chopper Pump is fitted with a nozzle to provide high-velocity mixing, and is placed in the problem wet well on a portable stand.
The purpose of the conditioning pump is to recirculate and chop the contents of the wet well. Recirculating the wet well contents through a Vaughan Chopper Pump chops and mixes not only the grease and debris that can accumulate as a floating layer, but also chops and re-suspends heavier debris that can accumulate on the wet well floor. This homogenization of the wet well contents not only prevents buildup of grease/debris in the wet well but also helps to prevent clogging of the nonclog pumps typically used as dewatering pumps for these stations.
“In the 33 plus years I have been working for the city the Vaughan pump company has provided some of the highest quality pumps as well as outstanding customer service,” the plant technician supervisor says. “After introducing the Vaughan conditioning pump, the cost has been eliminated. Along with the monetary savings, the equipment in place has been pumping with reduced trash buildup in the check valves, reducing maintenance costs.”
Vaughan Co. is a pumping and mixing equipment manufacturer, providing products for domestic and international businesses and municipalities. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the company focuses on producing quality pumps and mixers for tough applications within the municipal, industrial and agricultural markets.
1-888-249-CHOP | info@chopperpumps.com | www.chopperpumps.com
