Challenge

Wicklow County lies on the east coast of Ireland, south of Dublin. Wicklow County Council manages the county’s 35 wastewater treatment plants, which serve urban centres with populations ranging from 30 to 50 thousand. The council also manages the area’s collection network, in which a pumping station in the small town of Aughrim moves wastewater from about 300 houses to the main treatment plant.

Originally, the station in Aughrim had used two pumps with channel impellers, which experienced blockage 2–3 times per week. Whenever this occurred, two men had been required to unblock the pumps and clear the station. Even after upgrading to vortex pumps, the council was receiving weekly calls for blockage removal.

Solution

In an effort to finally solve the costly and disruptive blockage problem, two ABS submersible sewage pumps XFP 80C-CB1-4 PE22/4 were installed in June 2009. Pumps from the ABS submersible sewage pump XFP range were chosen for their high reliability, and above all for their exceptional rag-handling abilities. The low energy consumption resulting from their premium-efficiency IE3 motors was an added bonus.

Outcome

Since installing the ABS submersible sewage pumps XFP, blockage has been virtually eliminated. Now only a few sporadic incidents occur per year. Wicklow County Council estimates that this has saved four man-days each month in unplanned service visits.

Moreover, the pumps’ rag handling strengths and ability to pass large solids are keeping the station’s sump free from build-up. Although the station is emptied twice per year as a standard maintenance practice, this no longer seems necessary, and a cutback to once per year is being considered.

Key benefits:

  • Pump blockage virtually eliminated
  • Four man-days saved per month
  • Reduction in standard maintenance requirements
  • Low energy consumption

“I’m glad to say that no pump blockages have occurred since we installed two ABS EffeX submersible sewage pumps in June 2009.” Niall Gallagher, Senior Executive Technician, Wicklow County Council