Lift Station Maintenance

The Huntington Sanitary Board Lift Station Operation and Maintenance Program consists of one (1) Lift Station Supervisor (Administrative), one (1) Crew Leader (AFSCME), 11 Mechanics (AFSCME) and two (2) Laborers (AFSCME). Currently there is one (1) Mechanic position open.

Daily job duties consist of Operations and Maintenance of seven (7) major lift stations and five (5) air ejector stations, 18 Submersible pump stations with two (2) pumps each and 153 single pump submersible pits (Inwood Shockey).

Maintenance crews in general are divided into two (2) man teams to perform routine maintenance such as cleaning bar screens and wet wells, packing of pump shafts, repair and calibration of control equipment such as flow meters, electrical and mechanical controllers, lubricate and clean regulator and diversion chambers to prevent any combined sewer overflows as to DEP requirements, cut grass, clean and paint at all pump station facilities and sewer outfalls. Crews also assist Sewer Division in repairs of gravity and force mains 4" to 54" in size.

Heavy Maintenance includes teams of three (3) and four (4) mechanics to perform duties such as pulling very large motors, pumps and mag drives up to 400 hp. Repair to large pumps such as volutes, wear rings and impellers, replacement of iron piping in sizes 6" to 24" repair, replace or rebuild numerous valves in a variety of styles and size. Fabricate and install bar screens, regulator chambers components, and numerous other metal devices and structures.

An emergency response team consisting of two (2) mechanics are on call at any time to respond to any emergency situation.

Mechanics work with electrical voltages ranging 120 volts to 34,500 volts in substations and lift stations. They monitor and make electrical repairs to the SCADA monitoring system.

The mechanics are highly skilled positions working in hazardous conditions such as underground regulator and diversion chambers, lift station wet wells, constant exposure to raw sewage and toxic gases. Example - Hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon monoxide, etc. - water born viruses and pathogens and bacteria.

Laborers assist mechanics in all phases of work in lift stations and at the Treatment Plant. Other duties include painting, cleaning, grass cutting, cleaning of lift stations, etc.

The Lift Station Supervisor lays out daily work assignments, requests parts and materials, keeps and records all reports and data, assures all lift stations are in proper operating order to meet West Virginia DEP and Federal EPA guidelines. He consults and reports to the Operations Superintendent.

In conclusion, it must be recognized that the Huntington Publicly Owned Treatment Works is an aging project that requires more intensive and major maintenance.

There is an urgent need for capital improvements due to obsolete equipment such as pumps and repair parts, motors, valves, motor control centers, etc. Critical wear is appearing in cast iron piping structures in all major stations due to age and environment. Parts are becoming more difficult to obtain and costs are enormous. Much refabrication and machine work has to be outsourced and is costly.

Major repairs to incinerator and supporting equipment at the Treatment Plant are critical now as well as at 13th Street West Lift Station and most major stations.

The Lift Station Supervisor, Plant Maintenance Supervisor and Operations Superintendent work closely together on all aspects of maintenance to ensure the Huntington project meets all WV DEP, Federal EPA and other regulatory agencies permits and regulations.

The Operation Superintendent reports directly to the Executive Director of the Huntington Sanitary Board.

All Lift Station mechanics and laborers work schedule is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Plant Supervisor, Lift Station Supervisor and Operation Superintendent fill in for each other when need arises and are on call 24 hours, seven (7) days a week.