From Lime to Lawn Chairs: Materials We Remove from Pipes and Tanks

September 11, 2020
Wastewater Visibility News
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Sand and grit removed from oxidation ditch
Sand and grit removed from oxidation ditch.

We’ve seen it all: sand, grit, sludge, lime buildup, vegetation, and even larger debris such as metal handrails and lawn chairs limiting capacity in pipes and tanks. U.S. Submergent Technologies can remove any type of material (yes, even lawn chairs!) from wet or dry environments in a variety of structures.

We use the extremely versatile Combination3® Truck to specialize in removing material from structures such as pipes, tanks, and lift stations while they remain in full operation, and we can also perform work in a drain-down or bypass situation when larger debris is present.

Debris, boards, and vegetation removed from a stormwater box culvert
Debris removed from Stormwater Box Culvert.

A history of removing difficult material from pipes, tanks, and other structures

U.S. Submergent Technologies has tackled unique situations, including heavy lime accumulation in a large biological treatment unit, resulting in the removal of 60-tons of lime, sand and grit. We’ve successfully cleaned a tank overrun with 4-foot high vegetation sitting on an 8-foot root system. The U.S. Submergent Technologies’ crew once developed a crane attachment to be used with the Combination3® Truck’s extendable boom to reach and remove difficult rag material — and even a metal handrail — from a splitter box. 

Our experienced crew removed wood and lawn chairs from a stormwater box culvert, as well as more traditional projects, like the removal of 402-tons of sand and grit from an oxidation ditch (without a drain-down) and navigating 7,000-feet of gravity sewer while in service.

Expertise in removing a wide range of material 

U.S. Submergent Technologies has experience removing a variety of materials from all types of structures. Materials that we have direct expertise in removing, but aren’t limited to, are:

  • Sand and grit
  • Rag material
  • Sludge and biosolids
  • Wastewater residuals
  • Lime
  • Vegetation
  • Large debris
Rag material removed from splitter box structure
Rag material removed from splitter box structure.

Expertise in removing debris from challenging structures and situations

Our crews have quickly and safely removed debris from all kinds of environments under various conditions. Structures and situations we specialize in, but aren’t limited to, include: 

  • Tanks with high walls while in operation
  • Large-diameter pipes in submerged or surcharged conditions with no bypass
  • Deep wet wells while in service
  • Splitter boxes or box culverts while in operation

If you have a problem that needs solving, chances are we’ve handled it in the past and can offer a solution. We employ a variety of different methodologies to capture debris using our versatile, one-of-a-kind Combination3® Truck and expertly trained crews. Contact us to find out what we can do for you. 

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