N.J. Admin. Code § 7:14A-23.10 - Wastewater pumping stations

(a) Raw sewage pumping stations shall conform to the following requirements:

1. Sewage shall be screened before pumping. Comminutors may be approved in lieu of screens, however, the requirement for screening raw sewage may be waived, at the Department's discretion, for individual, privately owned pumping stations;

2. Pumping stations shall provide for stage pumping, preferably by the use of variable speed pumps, so as to eliminate, as far as practical, surges of flow to or through the treatment plants;

3. Pump stations shall be provided with two power sources, one as a back-up;

4. Automatic sound alarms, operating independently of the main power system, shall be installed to give warning of high water, power failure, or breakdown. Such alarm systems shall be telemetered to a police station or other staffed location so that competent emergency assistance can be obtained on a 24 hour basis;

5. Pumping stations shall be protected against flooding and adequate provision shall be made for access to the stations during storm events;

6. Adequate light and ventilation shall be provided at all pumping stations;

i. Where operational or maintenance duties are required in enclosed areas or pits, forced ventilation by appropriate means shall be provided with sufficient capacity to induce at least 12 air changes per hour;

ii. Appropriate equipment to guard against explosion shall be utilized; and

7. Adequate fresh-water facilities shall be provided to permit routine washdown and cleaning operations at all pumping stations;

i. Where a domestic water service connection is provided to a pumping station, the water supply shall be adequately protected by a backflow prevention device;

ii. Connections between potable water lines and wastewater pumps or sewers is not permitted.

(b) At least two pumps, each designed to handle peak flows equivalent to 2.5 times the average daily flow (using the Department's projected flow criteria specified in 7:14A-23.3) shall be provided. If more than two pumps are provided their capacities shall be such that, upon failure of the largest pump, the remaining pumps can handle peak flows.

(c) When ejectors are provided as the method of raising sewage, at least two compressor units (one as a standby) are required and shall be so interconnected that the standby unit will commence operation in the event of failure of the one in use.

(d) Pumps installed in dry wells shall operate under a positive suction head unless specifically designed and manufactured with appropriate features to allow for proper operation otherwise.

(e) A means of flow measurement shall be provided in municipally owned, regional pumping stations.

(f) Shut-off valves shall be provided on suction and discharge piping, which shall be flanged or otherwise removable, and check valves shall be provided on all discharge lines. Shut-off valves shall be accessible during all operating conditions.

(g) Force main velocities of less than two feet/second at normal pumping rates will not be approved. Properly designed air release valves shall be provided on the high points of the force main and cleanouts are recommended on low points of the force main in cases where necessary for operational and maintenance reasons.

(h) The use of low pressure force mains is permitted in only those circumstances when all other means of sewage conveyance have been explored and it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Department that the use of low pressure force mains is the most prudent alternative available.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:14A-23.10