The goal of preventative maintenance is to prevent the failure of pumps and equipment before it actually happens. Aimed at the prevention of breakdowns and failures, some tasks should occur weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually.
Preventative maintenance activities include lift stations, air release valves (ARV’s), headworks structures aeration equipment and return and waste sludge pumps and digestion aeration equipment. Partial or complete overhauls at regular specified periods; oil changes and lubrication. In addition, operators can record equipment deterioration, so they know to replace or repair work parts before they cause system failures. This information can be used as part of a systems asset management plan and help prioritize and budget for the repairs. Wastewater lift stations and wastewater plants have to stay in compliance at all times and can’t be taken offline for the needed maintenance.
Why you should have a Maintenance Program
A good maintenance program will extend equipment life and reduce breakdowns. Regardless of how intensive your program may be, sooner or later a piece of equipment will break down. If preventative maintenance is planned and carried out, occasional breakdowns will be few and far in between.
Benefits of a good Maintenance Program
- Routine Inspections of equipment
- Periodic calibration and adjustments
- Development of a long-term overhaul or outage program
- Better utilization/scheduling of personnel
- Improved understanding and knowledge of the equipment
- Better organization of equipment maintenance procedures
- Efficient use of lubricants
- Efficient purchase of spare parts
- Better organization of maintenance department operations.
Developing a maintenance program is not as complex as it may appear, because plant personnel already have knowledge of the facilities equipment. All that is required to get this information in a usable form is to organize and schedule the work activities.
A preventative maintenance program is a product of careful thought and contains much detail. Every water or wastewater treatment facility is different and requires a site-specific approach to how maintenance should be undertaken. The skill level of the maintenance personnel, the complexity of the equipment, and many other factors all influence the development of a program and its success.
As a leader in Scientific Equipment Repair and Medical Equipment Calibrations, Scientific Instrument Center provides preventive maintenance, repair, and calibration for Industrial and Waste Water Treatment Plans in the Ohio Valley Region. Our technicians have been trained by the manufacturer to help you pass your inspection. Documentation is always included, and certificates are also available. Feel free to contact us at (614) 771-4700
