Does My Business Need a Lift Station?

Portland / Vancouver Metro - The Dalles - Hermiston OR & Tri Cities WA

If you’re a business owner in Portland, you might be wondering whether your establishment needs a lift station. You may need one installed if you’re facing at least one of the following scenarios, usually involving main sewer lines:

• Your property is situated at a lower elevation than the main sewer line.
• Your business is far away from any main sewer access.
• The basement of your property (or any other part) is below the sewer access – even if the rest of your building is level.

Dealing with wastewater issues is probably the last thing you want to worry about when running your business, including potential backups, unpleasant odors, and the looming threat of Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) violations. It’s easy to turn to quick fixes like frequent pipe cleanings. While these solutions might provide temporary relief, they often fail to address the root cause of the problem, leaving you vulnerable to future issues.

Speedy Septic’s approach to managing and operating lift stations and septic systems is designed to efficiently pump wastewater from lower elevations to the main sewer line, eliminating the risk of backups and ensuring your business stays compliant with local regulations.

Why Do I Need a Lift Station?

Overall, you’ll need a commercial lift station to improve gravity flow, especially when access to the main sewage line is running above your building. Without it, you’re risking serious plumbing issues that can disrupt your operations, damage your property, and potentially harm public health.

Here are some specific scenarios where a lift station becomes crucial in Portland:

• Topographical challenges: If your business is located in a low-lying area or a basement level, wastewater may need to be pumped uphill to reach the main sewer line.
• Distance from the main sewer: Sometimes, the nearest connection point to the municipal sewer system is too far for a gravity-fed system to work effectively.
• Flood-prone areas: In regions susceptible to flooding, a lift station can help prevent sewage backups during heavy rains or floods.

Many businesses try to get by with conventional plumbing systems, hoping that regular maintenance will be enough. However, this approach often leads to sewage backups, frequent service calls, increased operational costs, and the constant threat of system failure. It’s a band-aid solution for a problem that requires a more robust, long-term fix.

Types of Commercial Lift Stations

The most common types are wet well stations with submersible pumps and dry well stations. Wet well systems are popular due to their compact design and lower installation costs. The pumps are submerged in the wastewater, which helps cool the motors and reduces noise. Dry well systems, on the other hand, keep the pumps separate from the wastewater, making maintenance easier but requiring more space and often higher initial costs.

Here are other types used in Portland:

• Wet Well Stations
• Dry Well Stations
• Suction Lift Stations (above-ground)
• Grinder Systems
• Sewage Ejector Systems

The type of lift station your business needs is based on factors such as operational goals, desired level of redundancy, wastewater volume, property layout, and local regulations. A septic expert can help you choose exactly what you need for property wastewater management.

Lift Stations for Businesses in Portland

Many commercial property owners find their businesses at lower elevations than the main sewer lines, making gravity-fed systems ineffective. Additionally, our frequent heavy rains can overwhelm poorly designed systems, leading to backups and potential environmental hazards. We’ve seen some businesses in Portland rely on a patchwork of solutions, from simple sump pumps to oversized septic systems. While these might work for a time, they often fall short when faced with the demands of a growing business or the stringent environmental regulations of our region.

That’s why we offer customized lift station solutions that are designed to work flawlessly in our specific environment. We offer quality installation, repair, and maintenance services for almost any septic system and lift station.

So don’t let wastewater worries hold your business back! Take the proactive step towards efficient, reliable wastewater management. Call us today for a service quote and let’s discuss how we can tailor a lift station to your unique business.

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