Category Archive

SCROLL DOWN TO LEAVE A POSITIVE MESSAGE OR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FELLOW INDUSTRY FRIENDS As we navigate this unprecedented situation together, we want to recognize the essential work being done by our customers, suppliers, business partners, and so many others working to keep vital infrastructure flowing.  The work you’re performing in the wastewater and water sectors is critical to maintaining quality of life for our communities throughout this pandemic and beyond. While social distancing has required temporary measures to limit physical interactions, it doesn’t change the passion and respect we share for the work we do as industry friends. Join us in cheering on our fellow wastewater and water co-workers. Leave a positive message, a note of encouragement, recognize anyone you know who has gone above and beyond, or simply drop a line letting us know how you’re coping in the comments below.  We’ll share the shout outs on social and in our next newsletter. We are committed to staying positive, as well as practicing the highest health and safety standards throughout these circumstances, and we’d genuinely like to hear how you’re doing. From all of us at USST, we appreciate your role more than ever, respect the critical work you … Read More

PREVIOUSLY UNREACHABLE MATERIAL REMOVED FROM PUMP STATION Sand, grit, and other wastewater residuals had accumulated over time in a West Florida lift station, reducing its overall capacity.  As part of a larger rehabilitation and improvement plan, the City of Tampa’s San Carlos Pump Station required cleaning and had a buildup of material deep in the wet well that needed to be removed.  Due to the challenging depth of the material, previous companies had been unable to reach the material with conventional vacuums and equipment. A buildup of material in a wet well such as this has the potential to cause several issues, including increased pump run times and wear and tear on equipment.  A drain-down and confined space entry was necessary in order to efficiently access the wet well.  The Combination3® Truck’s powerful vacuum was used to remove sand, grit, sludge, and rags at approximately 37-feet depth from the bottom of the wet well to slab/grade elevation, without any issues.  USST’s vacuum is powered by a blower capable of delivering nearly double the CFM of a standard vacuum truck, allowing the crew to remove large amounts of wastewater residuals and complete the job quickly and on schedule.  In total, 12-cubic … Read More

U.S. Submergent Technologies cleans sand, grit, and other debris out of wet environments. We’re well known for our success in wastewater treatment facilities, but our Combination3® technology gives us the ability to clean the hard-to-reach places in a variety of submerged conditions.  Our innovative jetter and combined vacuum and downhole system enables the rapid removal of accumulated solids from wet infrastructure while it remains in operation. U.S. Submergent Technologies (USST) is able to restore capacity in numerous industries and other systems that can benefit from being cleaned while in service, with no bypass.   Pipes Large-diameter pipe systems can become clogged with sand or debris, causing blockage, reducing flow capacity, and causing potential upstream flooding. Over time, sand seeps into collection systems through cracks and seams, constricting pipe flow once it begins to accumulate. Other unwanted debris, both naturally occurring and manmade (litter), makes its way into pipe systems, adding to the problem and obstructing flow. Other unwanted debris, both naturally occurring and manmade (litter), makes its way into pipe systems, adding to the problem and obstructing flow. Since we are unable to see the accumulated material, the problem often goes unnoticed. When this impacts a lift station, energy costs can … Read More

Our wastewater collection and treatment systems remove the biological waste in our water by design. However, other waste — debris such as sand and grit — accumulates in collection and treatment infrastructure, but their systems are not designed to remove this type of material. This type of debris accumulates because most of the wastewater infrastructure is below the earth’s surface. Collection systems are comprised of pipe segments that have joints, seams, gaps, and cracks, which are exacerbated as the pipes shift over time. These gaps allow sand to enter the pipe.  The Damage Done by Grit Sand and grit, unmanaged, can wreak havoc on the treatment process by reducing the operating capacity of the system. Sand and grit cause abnormal wear and tear on pumps and other mechanical components. Hydraulically speaking, sand and grit can adversely affect operational aspects of the collection and treatment system including full or partial plugging of outlets and/or pump suctions. The Risks of Grit and Sand Accumulation Determining whether or not there is an issue is the real challenge. Pipes are below ground while tanks are made of concrete or steel and are not transparent. Accumulated sand and grit sits at the bottom of these … Read More

HOW 60-TONS OF LIME, SAND AND GRIT WERE REMOVED IN EAST FLORIDA A large Biological Treatment Unit (BTU) at an East Florida wastewater facility was experiencing reduced capacity and due for maintenance.  Measuring 113-feet by 130-feet and consisting of three concentric rings with a center pier effluent chamber, the cleaning of the tank was part of a plan to remove tough lime material that had accumulated over time. Lime is typically used for precipitating impurities, adjusting pH levels, and odor control.  In the case of this BTU, the lime was not intended to be introduced into the system and was taking up valuable capacity.  The sludgy, clay-like consistence of lime material can prove challenging during removal and was an issue that had previously been unsolvable by others. Led by Foreman Michael Kisling, USST crew arrived with the Combination3® Truck prepared to tackle the challenge.  In order to effectively remove large quantities of lime, sand, and grit material from the BTU, a drain down was necessary.  USST crew utilized the Combination3® Truck’s powerful vacuum to first clean the structure’s outer rings, moving on to the center pier effluent chamber, removing an estimated 9-feet of material.  Combination3® Truck’s vacuum is powered by … Read More

GOT A BLOCKED PIPE? IS IT SUBMERGED? UNABLE TO BYPASS FLOW? U.S. Submergent Technologies cleans sand, grit, and other debris out of wet environments in challenging conditions. We’re well known for our success in wastewater treatment facilities, but our Combination3® technology gives us the ability to clean collection infrastructure and large-diameter pipe that previously may not have been able to be cleaned, while systems remain in service and with no bypass.   Buildup in Pipe Systems Large-diameter pipe systems can become clogged with sand or debris, causing blockage, reducing flow capacity, and causing potential upstream flooding. Over time, sand seeps into collection systems through cracks and seams, constricting pipe flow once it begins to accumulate.  Other unwanted debris, both naturally occurring and manmade (litter), makes its way into pipe systems, adding to the problem and obstructing flow.  Since we are unable to see the accumulated material, the problem often goes unnoticed.  When this impacts a lift station, energy costs can rise significantly as well as wear and tear on equipment. Restoring Capacity If capacity isn’t restored, a blocked pipe could potentially cause flooding and water damage in the surrounding areas, as well as impeding overall flow. USST recently removed 32-tons of … Read More

Problem A facility in the Town of Branford, FL, was experiencing loss of detention volume and reduced water quality as a result of accumulated sand and grit on the bottom of their aeration basin and digester. The roughly 200,000 gallon per day facility had a large quantity of sand submerged under water. The accumulated sand and grit had reduced the efficiency of the grit chamber and was potentially exposing other elements in the treatment system to a buildup of sediments and particulates. Solution Using the 949 Combination3® Truck and the GritGone ProcessSM, U.S. Submergent Technologies (USST) pulled more than 35 cubic yards of accumulated material (sand and grit) from the bottom of their wastewater treatment plant without taking the system offline! By removing the sand, the Town of Branford facility realized a significant increase in capacity. Results The USST crew provided a sustainable solution that reduces energy costs, reuses wastewater and generates a waste product that can be economically disposed of in a landfill. The client was very pleased with the results. View the entire case study here. PDF – Town of Branford Testimonial Letter

Problem A wastewater treatment facility located in the City of Starke, FL, was experiencing a loss of detention volume and reduced water quality as a result of accumulated sand and grit on the bottom of its grit chamber. The roughly 40-foot square grit chamber had an estimated four feet of sand submerged under six feet of water. The accumulated sand and grit had reduced the efficiency of the grit chamber and was potentially exposing other elements in the treatment system to a buildup of sediments and particulates. Solution The facility sought assistance from U.S. Submergent Technologies (USST) to remove the material. Using the 949 Combination3® Truck with its 425 hp driven components and the proprietary GritGone ProcessSM, the crew used an eight inch diameter hose to pull sand, grit and water from the chamber and through the system at a rate of 2,500 gallons per minute. Sand and grit were immediately separated from the water, and the excess water was returned to the wastewater system. The entire cleaning process was accomplished without taking the system offline! (Previously, in order toclean the grit chamber, the system had to be shut down for an entire day. Grit was then removed using a … Read More

Problem A private retirement facility located in Sumter County, FL, is one of the largest (and still growing) retirement communities in the country. With close to 100,000 residents, this golf course community has an expansive network of storm water infrastructure to accommodate all the residential growth. A 60-inch stormwater line had a large deposit of sand that had accumulated over time, blocking the flow of water inside the pipe. The blockage was 375-feet from the closest access point on the street, and the pipe was in the middle of the residential neighborhood. Further, the work needed to be performed in December, the peak month of Florida’s seasonal residents and activities. Solution In December 2013, the facility sought assistance from U.S. Submergent Technologies (USST) to remove the sand deposit and restore flow to the line. USST brought their Combination3® Truck to the site and was able to extend their jetter from the access point to the accumulated material 375-feet away. Using their powerful water jetting system and proprietary GritGone Process® for debris removal, the USST crew was able to jet the sand upstream in a surcharged condition to their downhole pump for removal. The water and material was then deposited into … Read More