Collection Systems

• ‘Flushable’ wipes Contrary to their name, ‘flushable’ wipes do not degrade in the collection system like traditional toilet paper. While they have been causing issues in the wastewater industry for quite some time, their growing popularity and the global covid pandemic have exacerbated the issue to a $1 billion dollar global problem. Until consumer behavior changes, (wipes in the trash versus down the toilet) screening systems will be required to effectively remove wipes to reduce the pump-clogging caused by them.
• Fats, Oils, Grease (FOG) refers to the improper disposal of residential and commercial byproducts from food preparation and cleaning that solidify into grease balls that clog sewer pipes. This is another main cause for sanitary sewer overflows. Hydro jetting and chemical dosing helps disperse FOG but can cause problems with downstream pumps and lift stations if equipment isn’t designed to handle this type of debris.
• Fatbergs go together with FOG and are fiber-enforced grease balls that clog sewer pipes. Flushable wipes are a contributor to this mass, along with household grease and other typical waste stream debris that congeal together and create blockages. Proper disposal of residential grease and wet wipes would help alleviate fatbergs but screening can also aid in removing harmful debris before it builds up.
• Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) is when surface water and groundwater enter into the sewer during seasonal or wet weather events as a result of aged infrastructure or improper connections. These excessive flows can overburden the collection system resulting in overflows, create large peaking factors in flow rate, and introduce sand, grit and other pollutants into the sewer. The additional water must be fully treated which creates costly treatment and higher capital expenditure at the wastewater plant. Screens that are adaptive to hydraulic and debris loading events are favorable in these conditions.

Collection systems are complex networks but Duperon’s approach is simple. Building resiliency in the collection system starts with necessary levels of screening to remove problematic debris before downstream pipes and equipment can be impacted. Pump stations typically deploy coarser openings to protect pumps while ensuring organics travel to the plant. Keeping the organics in and taking troublesome debris out restores systemwide resiliency by allowing the sewer system to operate as it was originally designed. Our team will work with you to provide customized solutions that are automated, low maintenance, and reduce clogged pumps and blocked pipes.