April 24, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

60-Yards of Tough Rag Material Removed from Splitter Boxes

MASSIVE BUILDUP OF RAGS, DEBRIS, AND EVEN METAL HANDRAILS FROM TWO STRUCTURES Access issues had prevented two splitter box structures at a South Florida wastewater treatment facility from being thoroughly cleaned in years.  A large amount of accumulated rag material had built up over time, and the structure was experiencing significantly reduced capacity. The two structures in question consisted of an Auxiliary Secondary Clarifier Distribution Chamber with dimensions estimated at 30-feet by 45-feet as well as a Secondary Clarifier Distribution Chamber measuring approximately 40-feet by 40-feet.  These two structures function as splitter boxes for a secondary clarifier at the facility

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March 23, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

Deep Wet Well Cleaning, 40-Foot Vertical Pull to Debris Box

PREVIOUSLY UNREACHABLE MATERIAL REMOVED FROM PUMP STATION Sand, grit, and other wastewater residuals had accumulated over time in a West Florida lift station, reducing its overall capacity.  As part of a larger rehabilitation and improvement plan, the City of Tampa’s San Carlos Pump Station required cleaning and had a buildup of material deep in the wet well that needed to be removed.  Due to the challenging depth of the material, previous companies had been unable to reach the material with conventional vacuums and equipment. A buildup of material in a wet well such as this has the potential to cause

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February 26, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

What types of structures does U.S. Submergent Technologies clean? 

U.S. Submergent Technologies cleans sand, grit, and other debris out of wet environments. We’re well known for our success in wastewater treatment facilities, but our Combination3® technology gives us the ability to clean the hard-to-reach places in a variety of submerged conditions.  Our innovative jetter and combined vacuum and downhole system enables the rapid removal of accumulated solids from wet infrastructure while it remains in operation. U.S. Submergent Technologies (USST) is able to restore capacity in numerous industries and other systems that can benefit from being cleaned while in service, with no bypass.   Pipes Large-diameter pipe systems can become clogged

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February 26, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

Why is grit buildup a problem for wastewater treatment facilities?

Our wastewater collection and treatment systems remove the biological waste in our water by design. However, other waste — debris such as sand and grit — accumulates in collection and treatment infrastructure, but their systems are not designed to remove this type of material. This type of debris accumulates because most of the wastewater infrastructure is below the earth’s surface. Collection systems are comprised of pipe segments that have joints, seams, gaps, and cracks, which are exacerbated as the pipes shift over time. These gaps allow sand to enter the pipe.  The Damage Done by Grit Sand and grit, unmanaged,

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February 19, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

Tackling Tough Lime Removal in BTU Structure

HOW 60-TONS OF LIME, SAND AND GRIT WERE REMOVED IN EAST FLORIDA A large Biological Treatment Unit (BTU) at an East Florida wastewater facility was experiencing reduced capacity and due for maintenance.  Measuring 113-feet by 130-feet and consisting of three concentric rings with a center pier effluent chamber, the cleaning of the tank was part of a plan to remove tough lime material that had accumulated over time. Lime is typically used for precipitating impurities, adjusting pH levels, and odor control.  In the case of this BTU, the lime was not intended to be introduced into the system and was

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February 19, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

The Challenges of Cleaning Large-Diameter Pipe

GOT A BLOCKED PIPE? IS IT SUBMERGED? UNABLE TO BYPASS FLOW? U.S. Submergent Technologies cleans sand, grit, and other debris out of wet environments in challenging conditions. We’re well known for our success in wastewater treatment facilities, but our Combination3® technology gives us the ability to clean collection infrastructure and large-diameter pipe that previously may not have been able to be cleaned, while systems remain in service and with no bypass.   Buildup in Pipe Systems Large-diameter pipe systems can become clogged with sand or debris, causing blockage, reducing flow capacity, and causing potential upstream flooding. Over time, sand seeps into

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February 18, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

Case Study: Branford, FL – Accumulated sand and grit cleaned from aeration basin and digester while plant remains online

Problem A facility in the Town of Branford, FL, was experiencing loss of detention volume and reduced water quality as a result of accumulated sand and grit on the bottom of their aeration basin and digester. The roughly 200,000 gallon per day facility had a large quantity of sand submerged under water. The accumulated sand and grit had reduced the efficiency of the grit chamber and was potentially exposing other elements in the treatment system to a buildup of sediments and particulates. Solution Using the 949 Combination3® Truck and the GritGone ProcessSM, U.S. Submergent Technologies (USST) pulled more than 35

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February 18, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

Case Study: Starke, FL – Grit chamber cleaning at city wastewater treatment facility improves efficiency

Problem A wastewater treatment facility located in the City of Starke, FL, was experiencing a loss of detention volume and reduced water quality as a result of accumulated sand and grit on the bottom of its grit chamber. The roughly 40-foot square grit chamber had an estimated four feet of sand submerged under six feet of water. The accumulated sand and grit had reduced the efficiency of the grit chamber and was potentially exposing other elements in the treatment system to a buildup of sediments and particulates. Solution The facility sought assistance from U.S. Submergent Technologies (USST) to remove the

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February 18, 2020

Wastewater Visibility News

Case Study: Sumter County, FL – 60-inch stormwater pipe cleaning at a private facility

Problem A private retirement facility located in Sumter County, FL, is one of the largest (and still growing) retirement communities in the country. With close to 100,000 residents, this golf course community has an expansive network of storm water infrastructure to accommodate all the residential growth. A 60-inch stormwater line had a large deposit of sand that had accumulated over time, blocking the flow of water inside the pipe. The blockage was 375-feet from the closest access point on the street, and the pipe was in the middle of the residential neighborhood. Further, the work needed to be performed in

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