The City of Lake Wales Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was due for maintenance on a large Oxidation Ditch and experiencing reduced plant capacity.  The facility’s treatment process is comprised of a Type 1 Oxidation Ditch operating as a conventional activated sludge treatment facility, and had built up a significant amount of sand and grit material, and needed to be cleaned while it remained in operation.

U.S. Submergent Technologies’ (USST) Paul Stephenson arrived with a team to the Lake Wales site prepared to remove material from submerged conditions.

“Using our unique Combination^3® truck and GritGone Process^®, we were able to efficiently remove about 72-tons of sand and grit while the plant remained in full operation,” said Paul.  “I knew our reliable equipment and exceptional crew would be able to get the job done quickly and on schedule.”

The Combination^3® truck’s extended boom, downhole pump, and jetter was utilized to safely remove sand and grit from the oxidation ditch.  No confined space entry was needed to complete the job, making it safer for the onsite crew and limiting costs for the client.

“When our solution reduces or eliminates the need for confined space entry and gets the job done, everybody wins,” says USST’s CEO, Denver J. Stutler, Jr.  “Less risk taken is always safer.”

Approximately 72-tons of material was successfully removed from the plant and deposited to onsite drying beds, increasing the effective treatment plant capacity to more than 9,000 gallons.

Ted Long, Wastewater Superintendent and Chief Plant Operator for the City of Lake Wales for the past 9-years, has been in the wastewater treatment industry since 1979.  He said, “The process of grit and sand removal went very smooth with no interruptions of service. [USST’s] staff answered all questions and handled the task professionally.  I look forward to working with U.S. Submergent Technologies in the future […].”

Specializing in hard-to-reach environments in submerged conditions, USST can build a plan to safely and efficiently remove material from tanks, pipes, lift stations, and more.  Check out our video to learn more about the Combination^3® technology and the GritGone Process^® and give one of our representatives a call for a free site assessment at (844) 765-7866.