Pump it Up: The Role of LCA’s Giant Wastewater Movers

These gigantic machines are three of LCA’s six main sewage pumps, used in our wastewater treatment process.

The pumps convey wastewater to the Aerated Grit chambers — the second part of the treatment process. (The first is screening, which removes larger objects — things like feminine hygiene products and disposable wipes, which shouldn’t be flushed anyway!)

Aerated grit chambers use injected air to force wastewater to flow in a spiral — like water that’s going down a drain or funnel. This causes heavier particles — the grit — to separate from the water. The heavy grit drops to the bottom of a tank and is removed.

From there, the wastewater flows into primary settling tanks, where any remaining, lighter particles sink.

Two of the pumps are 150 horsepower each, and can move 17 million gallons of wastewater per day. The other four pumps are 200 horsepower each. Two of them can move up to 23 million gallons of wastewater per day, and two can move about 24 million gallons of wastewater per day.

While these pumps look spotless and probably appear brand new, they were originally installed in 1968! Their longevity is due to the hard work and preventative maintenance of the treatment plant staff. The fact that these pumps are 50 years old, however, drives home the point that Allentown’s aging infrastructure is in need of replacement.

 

For the rest in our Behind the Scenes series, please see:

_{Wastewater Treatment Starts with Screening Out Items That Don’t Belong}

_{Why Does Wastewater Need to be Treated?}

_{Clean and Green: How Waste is Turned into Energy at Kline’s Island}

_{Sludge 101: How Solids Are Removed From Wastewater}

_{The Sludge Report: What Happens After Treatment?}

_{How Is Liquid Waste Treated? It’s All About Biology}

_{Tertiary Nitrification: How Ammonia Is Removed From Wastewater}

Disinfection and Testing — the Final Steps in Wastewater Treatment