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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  Babcock Low-Pressure Sewer Extension Project - City of East Moline, IL   City Staff have compiled a brief list of frequently asked questions in an attempt to provide information to residents about this project.  If there is a question you may have that is not answered here in this list, please send the City an e-mail with your question and we will respond to you with an answer as soon as possible.     QUESTIONS  What is a "PowerSewer"? What components are included in the V3F-IGP PowerSewer? What is the estimated operating cost of my PowerSewer pump station?What is the little round plastic pipe and lid in my yard near the street? What about the pipes that carry the sewer from my pump station?  Where do they go, what are they made out of, and who is responsible for maintenance or repairs on these pipes? What type of pump is in the PowerSewer unit? What is the normal life expectancy of the pump/grinder blades? Could you please remind me of the warranty terms for my pump station? What is the contact information that I might need or be interested in? How do I know if my PowerSewer pump station is working? How do I know if my pump station has stopped working? What do I do when the alarm on my pump station sounds? What will happen to my pump station in the event the power goes out?  Will an alarm still sound? What do I do when the alarm on my pump station sounds? What will happen to my pump station in the event the power goes out?  Will an alarm still sound? Am I limited to what I can put down the drain or flush down the toilet? How much will my sewer bill be each month? If I have a specific question that is not answered on this list, who should I contact at the City? Brochure for the Power Sewer System      ANSWERS  What is a "PowerSewer"? The PowerSewer system is a residential lift station designed to transfer residential and light commercial sewage long distances to a wastewater treatment facility in a cost effective manner.  It is often used to replace septic systems that are failing when a city gravity sewer line is infeasible and/or inaccessible.    Back to Top  What components are included in the V3F-IGP PowerSewer? The PowerSewer is a complete package system containing a roto-molded polyethylene collection tank, load-rated cover, 3-float controls, guide rail assembly, isolation valve, 2HP grinder pump, pump quick disconnect assembly with anti-siphon/check valve, anti-shear discharge assembly, and control panel with high-level alarm.  Back to Top  What is the estimated operating cost of my PowerSewer pump station?  The approximate cost to run the PowerSewer is about the same as operating a 100W light bulb for 3 hours a day.  For East Moline, this cost is estimated at less than $3.00/month.  Back to Top  What is the little round plastic pipe and lid in my yard near the street? This pipe is called a "valve box" and is used to access an auxiliary shut-off/isolation valve for your sewer service.  Each residence with a pump station has one of these auxiliary shut-offs.  This valve should remain open and should only be operated by a licensed plumber or authorized City staff.  If this valve is closed, your pump basin will not be able to pump your sewer into the City collector pipe.  A closed shut-off valve will eventually cause your pump to shut down and sewer to back up in your pump station.  Back to Top  What about the pipes that carry the sewer from my pump station?  Where do they go, what are they made out of, and who is responsible for maintenance or repairs on these pipes? Each pump station has a 1-1/4" PVC service pipe that connects to a larger diameter, City-owned sewer main at the street.  This service pipe also has a valve box (described above) installed near the property line adjoining the street for emergency isolation and/or shut-off of the pump station.  A record of the approximate installation route for each service pipe was made during construction, and can be made available to a homeowner upon request.  Just like a water service or a gravity sewer, the service pipe (including the service valve box) is owned and maintained by the individual homeowner, per City ordinance. Back to Top  What type of pump is in the PowerSewer unit? PowerSewer pump stations utilize a self-regulating 2HP submersible centrifugal grinder pump that is non-overloading and fully functional from 0 to 130 feet of total dynamic head.  These pumps are powerful, reliable, and require minimal maintenance. Back to Top  What is the normal life expectancy of the pump/grinder blades? The life-expectancy of the pump and grinder blades is dependent on the amount of grinding they have to do – obviously, more grinding will dull the cutters more quickly.  The average life-expectancy is estimated at 10 years, but the pumps will likely out-last the cutter-heads by a significant margin.  Also note the stationary cutter can be turned over once before it is replaced (its blades are two-sided).  If a pump or cutter happens to fail within the warranty period, the pump/cutter will be repaired or replaced by the manufacturer.  After the warranty period expires, the cost for repairs or replacement would be the responsibility of the homeowner.  These parts are relatively simple to remove and replace, should this be necessary, and could be "swapped-out" by a plumber in less than 30 minutes.  Replacement cutter-heads and/or pumps are available from the local distributor (see below) should the need arise in the future. Back to Top  Could you please remind me of the warranty terms for my pump station? Each PowerSewer unit comes with a 36-month (3 year) limited warranty from the date of installation.  The warranty includes all mechanical components and electrical panel.  Defects that are found during the warranty period must be reported to the manufacturer (Little Giant Pump Company – see contact info. below) by the owner.  Repair of parts, or parts replacement required as a result of such defects will be made free of charge during this period upon return of defective parts or equipment to manufacturer. Labor is not included. While the PowerSewer units are fairly simple to operate, troubleshoot and repair for some homeowners, the City nevertheless recommends that residents call a licensed plumber to perform repairs in the event they are necessary.Back to Top What is the contact information that I might need or be interested in? Manufacturer:                  Little Giant Pump Company www.lgpc.com/EngineeredProducts/index.aspx Local Distributor:              Zimmer-Francescon                                        6200 – 65th Ave                                        Moline, IL  61265                                        (309) 797-1117 Contractors:      Miller Trucking & Excavating  3303 John Deere Road      Silvis, IL  61282         (309) 755-7644    Blondell Plumbing 1150 – 36th Avenue Moline, IL  61265 (309) 762-1223 Back to Top  How do I know if my PowerSewer pump station is working? How do I know if my pump station has stopped working? PowerSewer Systems come with an alarm panel. If your grinder pump is working properly, you shouldn't notice it at all — the pump will turn on as needed and pump down the sewer tank.  The pump should turn off after a few minutes.  If your pump should stop working, the alarm panel's red light will blink, and a buzzer will sound.    What do I do when the alarm on my pump station sounds?   If the alarm doesn't turn off after a few minutes, you should silence the alarm (turn it off at the control panel) and call a plumber for service.     Back to Top  What will happen to my pump station in the event the power goes out?  Will an alarm still sound?   In the event power to your residence is lost, your pump station (including the alarm panel) will also lose power and remain non-functional until power to your residence is restored. The pump station's sewer collection tank is designed to accommodate more than an average day's use of water in the event power is lost – however, it would be wise to limit water usage in the residence until power is restored. Once power comes back on, the pump station should automatically restart if there is sufficient sewage water in the tank to require pumping.  If the sewage level in the tank is high enough to warrant a "high-level" alarm, the alarm will sound immediately when power is restored and continue to sound until the tank level is pumped down below "alarm" stage.  The alarm may be silenced at the control panel (for convenience) while the pump empties your tank.   In the event of a lengthy, widespread power outage, it is likely that when power is restored that most of the alarms in the project area will sound due to the level of accumulated sewage in the tanks.  This is not cause for panic, as the pump basins will simply operate as designed as soon as power is restored, and after a short time, the sewage in each tank will be pumped out. Back to Top  Am I limited to what I can put down the drain or flush down the toilet? The PowerSewer pump station will handle all typical household waste. However, just like in a standard gravity sewer system, you should not allow grease, strong chemicals, oils, diapers, plastics, etc. to enter your drain pipes or the pump station or you risk blockage and/or damage to this unit.  Illicit use of your pump station will void the warranty of the unit and likely cause pre-mature failure and repair expense to the homeowner.  Please refer to the Installation Owner's & Maintenance Manual for more information.    Back to Top  How much will my sewer bill be each month?   Your sewer bill is directly dependant on water usage at your individual residence, upon which the sewer bill is based.  The minimum monthly charge for sewer will be $10.97, but may be more depending on your water usage.  In addition to the monthly cost for sewer, monthly payment is required for the cost of your sewer service construction (spread out over 10 years, interest-free) as described in the letters and correspondence sent by the City over the past year.     Back to Top  Will my sewer charges simply be added to my existing water bill?   Yes. Back to Top  If I have a specific question that is not answered on this list, who should I contact at the City? Please send an e-mail with your specific question toTim Kammler, Director of Engineering. Mr. Kammler will respond to your question as soon as possible.Back to Top

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