Force Mains

A newly constructed wastewater force main readied for service with a pristine clean interior goes "on line" when the first load of wastewater is pumped through it. Because of the nature of that wastewater, it is typically laden with fats, oils and grease, (F.O.G.), and a variety of solids and fluids of many descriptions, some of those elements will begin to immediately adhere to the interior pipe walls, or fall out of the flow. Pragmatically stated, the very first time a wastewater force main is used the process that will cause it to become dirty, begins!! Your force main will benefit from cleaning and restoration to its maximum flow capacity if;

• Wet well evacuation times are increasing
• Discharge head pressures are increasing
• Pump run times are increasing
• Pump(s) upgrades and station improvements are being planned
• The system is being extended or having other piping tied into it
• Operating and maintenance costs, particularly energy usage, are escalating
• It was installed under difficult circumstances and not cleaned before it was placed into service
• As designed the anticipated high volume of usage has never materialize which has converted the force main into an elongated settling basin
• Valid concerns about gas pockets and inability to sustain a scouring velocity in the system raises concerns about its integrity
• The volume of flow at its discharge point is consequentially lower than it use to be
• Maintenance staff suffers from the, "alarm light shudders"
• Laminar flow characteristics and Hazen-Williams "C" Factors have disappeared into the, "it's almost too low to be measured", abyss
• The system has a radical profile with many low points, which can become collection sites for solids, sand, silt, particulate matter, etc.
• The system receives incremental discharge flow, that is, the lift station pumps a thousand gallons per cycle but the force main holds 7,000 gallons, creating a condition where it is difficult to maintain solids in suspension
• Odor problems are not solvable using current methods
• The last section of the force main is a gravity system which allows air to constantly enter the piping resulting in carbonizing deposits building up on the interior top half of the pipe.
• Upgrading the size and horsepower of the lift station pumps has not provided the anticipated increase in system efficiency.
• The potential for overflows, backups and system blockages is also threatening to cause writers cramp for regulatory agencies.
• Replacing the pipe means discarding serviceable piping whose only sin is that it is dirty
• Repairs, taps and visual inspection confirms that the system is "dirty"

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