Sanitary Lift Station Standby Generator Systems (Get Dependable or Get Wet)

A major lift station failed repeatedly due to the inability of the in-place standby power system to function consistently. The failures were erratic. The standby system operated properly after some interruptions of power from the local electrical utility, but in other interruptions, it failed. The failures themselves were inconsistent.The complexity of the system was such that a systematic and sequential process was found necessary.The process included the development of objective test criteria and consolidation of applicable code requirements. Two phases of testing were preformed; one by in-house staff and another by a contractor. Resolution of the problem resulted in many improvements. Some were relatively straightforward, such as replacing missing or obsolete equipment. Others were only identified after significant study or testing.Failures of standby power system have stopped; however, there currently is no means to test the system by replicating a failure of the feed from the local electrical utility. An on-going program is intended to provide this capability.