Problem: The Ukiah (California) Wastewater Treatment Plant, serving 16,000, faced recurring pump failures from debris such as rocks and gravel entering the system. With no headworks screening, five main pumps often clogged and failed, leading to rebuilds costing some $100,000 per year per pump.
Solution: Plant supervisor Alan Hodge led the installation of an Aqualitec Screentec bar screen. This vertically mounted screen removes nuisance materials before they reach downstream equipment. It retrofits easily to existing structures and requires no submerged mechanical parts.
Result: The device put an end to pump rebuilds, eliminating some $500,000 in annual costs. The recovered funds were redirected to staff training, equipment maintenance and broader facility improvements. “The bar screen changed everything,” says Hodge. “We went from constant rebuilds to running efficiently, with more budget flexibility than ever.” 310-703-2174; www.aqualitec.com
