What Is the Purpose of a Lift Station?

Lift stations are a phenomenon found within the field of civil engineering. Because many locations experience mixed elevations, there must be a way to transfer wastewater uphill. This is where lift stations come in.

Identification

• Lift stations are are often elements of a sewage system. They are used when sewage needs to be conducted to a point higher than its present location through pumps. The pumps themselves are typically placed within the lift stations.

Types

• Lift stations come in one of two primary forms: wet well and dry well designs. Lift stations may be installed to redirect rainfall created by storms. In these cases, their operation may be managed in cooperation with other installations such as canals. Sewer lift stations send the water to collection areas where it can be processed for contaminants.

Features

• Aside from the pumps, lift stations may be outfitted with other mechanisms such as valves and pumps. These devices are often operated through the use of electrical power. Due to the critical nature of waste-removal efforts, lift stations might be equipped with an electrical generators as an auxiliary power source should existing systems fail.