Planning for Wastewater System Down Time

Four Things We Think About In Advance Of Wastewater System Issues

When pumps get clogged, break down, or can’t keep up with the increasing consumption of resources and population increases, then you’ve got a problem. It’s a problem that won’t just go away on its own, and you certainly can’t wait for a solution. 

With many pump manufacturers based overseas, parts and equipment availability is an issue. Labor for repairs is an issue. There are many other issues. And issues cost money.  A pump manufacturer and distribution network must work together to ensure the result and the people who count on it are taken care of and under control. 

At Keen Pump, we are thinking of these kinds of things all of the time.  Our customers expect satisfaction when there are issues.  That’s why we plan for issues in advance.  Here are the things we are thinking about so that you won’t have to. 

Labor Costs

• Expense: Skilled labor for wastewater management, such as technicians and engineers, is expensive. Emergency repair crews may cost more, especially if work is required during nights, weekends, or holidays.
• Safety: Wastewater systems handle hazardous materials (e.g., biological waste, chemicals), and maintenance workers are exposed to risks like harmful gases or physical injuries, requiring additional safety training, equipment, and possibly hazard pay.
• Efficiency Impact: Labor-intensive repairs slow down overall operations and can lead to bottlenecks. Delays in addressing issues increase labor costs if issues worsen, requiring more extensive work or specialized personnel.

At Keen Pump, we created the “Pulverizer” chopper pump so that pumps aren’t clogging due to things getting in the sewers that shouldn’t be there.  The first step to making labor more efficient is to create products that won’t clog or break down in the first place. 

Downtime Due to Lack of Replacement Parts

• Expense: If parts are not readily available, a wastewater plant may have to be shut down for extended periods, leading to unbudgeted expenses. Importing parts or sourcing them from vendors at premium prices adds to costs.
• Efficiency Impact: Downtime due to missing parts severely impacts operational throughput. The longer the plant is out of service, the more treatment capacity is lost, and untreated or partially treated wastewater may accumulate, leading to potential regulatory fines.

At Keen Pump, we are proud of our American manufacturing facility and our access to parts to meet your needs fast.  We have a warehouse with products on the shelf ready to ship to you immediately.  And if we don’t have them, we’ll make them.

Whole System Replacement

• Expense: The cost of replacing an entire system or major components can run into the millions, depending on the size and complexity of the plant. Major upgrades require capital investment, financing, and project management.
• Efficiency Impact: Replacing a system can cause long-term downtime or require temporary solutions that are inefficient. Even after replacement, it may take time to ramp back up to full operational efficiency.

At Keen Pump, we know things change fast.  Your new system can be outdated quickly.  We’ve innovators in the wastewater pump industry, and our products can be helpful, even if you are using another manufacturer’s system.  Consider our Retrofit replacement parts program, giving you access to the latest parts, innovation, and design without rebuilding your entire system.  That solves a lot of problems for our customers. 

Operational Inefficiency and Environmental Impact

• Energy Costs: Older or malfunctioning equipment tends to consume more energy, increasing operational costs. This might involve higher electricity or fuel usage to run less efficient systems.
• Increased Waste: Inefficiencies in the wastewater treatment process may lead to environmental issues, such as higher pollutant levels in treated water, which can result in regulatory fines and damage to reputation.

Innovation at Keen Pump also includes our electrical monitoring systems.  The key to efficiency is state-of-the-art controls, and we’re ensuring that your products work the way they are supposed to work, not just some of the time, but all of the time. 

Of course, if you can’t get your system up and running fast, you’ve got other issues to worry about.  This might include regulatory and legal penalties.  You can invest in preventative maintenance, which is always a good idea.  You might also invest in spare parts inventory to manage issues. 

More importantly, be sure your pump manufacturer and distributor have a plan in place to take care of you when you need it the most. Anyone can take care of a customer when things are going well.  At Keen Pump, we’re planning for the worst-case scenario, so you don’t have to.