City to Rebuild Main Sewer Lift Station for Long-Term Reliability

The City of Lake City is moving forward with a critical infrastructure project to upgrade its main sewer lift station, Station A, originally constructed in 1984. This lift station is vital to the city’s entire wastewater system, handling every gallon of sewage from Caldwell, Forest, and Lake Townships, as well as Lake City itself, before it reaches the treatment lagoons.

Over the years, the equipment inside the wet well has aged significantly, and parts for the pumps have become increasingly difficult to find. While ensuring the long-term reliability of the system, the city will replace the pumps, bases, and internal piping components with designated sewer funds.

The rebuild will begin with the setup and testing of a temporary bypass pump using the existing connection in the dry pit. Once confirmed operational, the wet well inlet will be sealed off so that the station can be taken offline and thoroughly cleaned using a vacuum truck.

Crews will then remove all existing wet well equipment, including pumps, discharge piping, fittings, guide rails, and mounting hardware. The electrical system will remain in place and be reused where possible. New equipment, three pumps (including one spare), stainless steel components, and improved discharge fittings, will be installed to ensure durability and easier maintenance.

The control panel will also be updated with new contactors and seal-fail relays to protect the system and enhance long-term monitoring capabilities. While no valve vault work will be done, the existing aluminum lid will be reused.

Once the lift station rebuild is complete, the bypass pumps will be shut down and the station will be tested and returned to full operation. This investment reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to maintaining essential services and supporting community growth.