Municipality Overview:
Life Before Chopper Pumps: The Metropolitan District (MDC) is a municipal corporation that provides safe, pure drinking water, environmentally responsible sewage collection and treatment, and other services that will enhance the quality of life for everyone in the eight member towns they serve. The collection system receives sewage from residential, commercial and industrial feed into seventy six (76) plus sewage pumping stations in turn pump to one of four treatment plants.
The previous solids handling pump that was clogging frequently.
Lift Station Details:
One of the problematic submersible pump stations for MDC was the Blue Hills Pump Station in Bloomfield. The station receives an average daily flow of 35,000 gallons, and mostly caters to residences and light commercial establishments. The pump station had 30 pump failures since 2015, costing the MDC about $7,000. Gil Bironi, Plant and Pump Station Supervisor and Tom Mathiau, Sr. Maintenance Mechanic at the time, were frustrated with repetitive clogging of the traditional solids handling pumps in the station and wanted a permanent solution to the problem. The pumps would clog due to rags, non-flushable towels, and feminine hygiene products. Gil and Tom wanted their employees to focus on more productive jobs instead of addressing emergency calls all hours of the day and night!
Chopper Pump Installation:
Williams New England and Motor, CP&S’ municipal distributor in New England, worked with Gil and Tom to recommend and install a 4” submersible Barnes Sithe chopper pump in the station in October 2018, after which time, MDC maintenance staff never had to pull the pump due to a pump failure in these six months. Sithe chopper pump’s open center design and unique cutting blades direct solids to the cutting edges and ensure clog free operation. MDC’s pump maintenance department staff is pleased with the Barnes Sithe chopper pump. Bruce Fontaine, current Plant and Pump Station Supervisor and Tom Mathiau, Assistant Maintenance Superintendent, feel that their team is able to focus on more productive work instead of spending their time unclogging pumps in the Blue Hills pump station.
Key Takeaways:
PAIN POINTS:
• Blue Hills station had 30 pump issues since 2015
• Station pump failures cost about, $7,000 for MDC
• Station had to be continuously monitored for trouble free operation
SOLUTION:
• Sithe chopper pump solved clogging issues in the station
• MDC maintenance team is able to focus on more productive work instead of unclogging pumps
To learn more about the SITHE Chopper pump:
https://www.cranepumps.com/products/details/sithe-chopper-pumps
https://sithechopper.cranepumps.com/