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Browse all wastewater case studies articles from Franklin Miller.

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Man standing with an inline wastewater grinder installed in his plant

Wastewater Case Studies·April 16, 2025

Case Study: Brewer, Maine Water Facility Keeps Things Flowing with Franklin Miller Grinders

“The City of Brewer is 10,000 people and treats on average approximately 1.5 – 2 million gallons a day," says Lou Colburn, Chief Operator of the Water Pollution Control Facility in Brewer, Maine. The Brewer Water Pollution Control Facility is a Grade V facility which uses the Activated Sludge method of treatment to remove conventional and nonconventional contaminants from wastewater across their main water pollution control facility, as well as in 14 pump stations. Lou Colburn has been the Chief Operator since 1998 and has been at the facility for 47 years. When it comes to dealing with problems at the pumps, he has seen it all. “We were having problems pumping our activated sludge to our wasting unit and we were having a lot of difficulty with the ball checks. Materials would get caught up in it and we would have to, on average, probably 5 or 6 times every day, dismantle the pump because of debris. A lot of the debris was plastic, other items, tampon applicators. They were creating a lot of issues. We had tried a competitor, for another application, and we were very dissatisfied with the way it was working.” Lou prides himself on his thorough research, which led him to choose a Franklin Miller TASKMASTER® TM8512 Inline Grinder. “I did the research, and they seemed to fit the mold of what we were looking for, reliability, dependability, everything. We thought they looked like a good unit. Everything that I read seemed to fit into what we were looking for. So, we purchased it, and it worked out great!” That grinder was installed in 2006. “Then in 2016, we built a septic receiving facility, as part of our plant, and of course, septage waste has everything in it, so, we were finding that we were cleaning our primary pumps at least a half a dozen times a week, minimal, and we decided to install a grinder in that line and I think since then, (that’s been on line 4 or 5 years now), and since that time with that particular installation, we have had to clean our pumps once. So, they work very well in our facility, and I am very pleased with the results. They were very well worth the investment.” In 2020, a third TASKMASTER® TM8512 was purchased. The installation process was seamless. “We worked with a company who did a lot of repairs for us, and we had them do the installation and they said they had no issues whatsoever installing that particular piece of equipment. It fit right into the feedline.” Lou believes that the Cutter Cartridge Technology of the TASKMASTER® grinders has been a great advantage over the competitors. Lou remembers all of the struggles he and his team had before he transitioned to the TASKMASTER® inline grinders. “We had to remove each blade and replace them individually. This is pretty much a godsend. You take the whole thing out just drop the new one back in and you are good to go! It’s pretty incredible.” “This is great equipment, believe me. I would highly recommend it to anyone. If we have another application for it, we definitely would purchase another.” Franklin Miller is committed to customer service and offers spare parts readily when needed. However, the Franklin Miller inline grinders at Brewer have never needed spare parts, nor maintenance! ‍ ‍

taskmaster inline grinder install outside building

Wastewater Case Studies·July 29, 2024

Case Study: District Transforms Operations with Grinder Upgrade

The Musconetcong Sewerage Authority, located in northwest New Jersey, manages an impressive daily volume of over 4.3 million gallons of domestic wastewater. However, the facility was grappling with significant challenges due to its outdated grinders, some of which had been in service for approximately 25 years. These old units, sourced from a competitor, were severely underperforming and, in some cases, had stopped working altogether Their frequent clogs led to persistent maintenance issues and considerable downtime, which disrupted plant operations. The main problem with the outdated grinders was their tendency to cause recurring clogs in the sludge pumps and secondary clarifiers, primarily due to the fibrous nature of rag materials present in the wastewater. James Schilling, the Executive Director of the Musconetcong Sewerage Authority, highlighted the severity of the issue, stating, “We faced constant blockages in sludge management. This caused significant downtime and affected plant operations.” In response to these ongoing issues, the plant decided it was time for an upgrade. After evaluating several options, the authority chose to install Franklin Miller’s Taskmaster® grinders. The decision was influenced by several factors. The streamlined procurement process for the Taskmaster® grinders was a notable benefit, and their promise of simplified maintenance compared to the old units was a key consideration. Additionally, the Taskmaster® grinders featured Cutter Cartridge® technology, which allowed for easy maintenance without the need for adjustments. Their design also fit well within the plant’s existing layout, making them a practical choice. Schilling expressed his satisfaction with the decision, remarking, “We could have just replaced the old cartridges and kept the housing on the other brand units, but the Taskmaster® offered a better overall solution. It was clear that Franklin Miller’s unit was superior.” The new grinders were installed in early 2024. Since their implementation, the plant has experienced smoother operations with no further issues of sludge clogs. Schilling observed the improvements, stating, “The Taskmaster® has resolved our clogging issues entirely. The plant is running much more efficiently now.” The Taskmaster® inline sewage grinders have proven effective in handling various solids, including rags, plastics, and tampons, thanks to their powerful twin-shaft mechanism and Cutter Cartridge® technology. This upgrade has led to a significant reduction in pump downtime and an overall enhancement in plant performance. James Schilling’s feedback reflects the positive impact of the upgrade: “We’re very pleased with the Taskmaster®. It was definitely the right choice for our plant.” This successful upgrade underscores the benefits of adopting advanced technology to improve operational efficiency and minimize maintenance challenges in wastewater treatment facilities. ‍

Wastewater Case Studies·June 24, 2024

Hartford Reduces Maintenance System-Wide with Franklin Miller Grinders

‍ The Metropolitan District in Hartford Connecticut (MDC) processes millions of gallons of wastewater that flow through more than 1300 miles of sewers a day. Along with the main plant in Hartford, the MDC operates three satellite stations, and multiple pump stations. Like many wastewater treatment plants, the grinders used at MDC process a lot of solid and human waste that mixes with trash and sewer water, releasing a lot of H2S. This hydrogen sulfite is very hard on the machines. “This is probably the worst and hardest environment you can put a machine in,” said Nick Martel, maintenance mechanic. Their previous machines were from a competitor’s company and they broke down all the time. “In our environment, machines will need to berebuilt. That is the nature of our circumstances in this plant. But the old machines broke down so often, we were rebuilding them every six months or so.” They decided to switch out some of their old machines with Franklin Miller units. To date, the plant has installed at least 30 Franklin Millerunits from the company’s municipal line of products, including Taskmastergrinders, Taskmaster inline grinders, and Dimminutor open channel units. “The Franklin Miller units are great,” Martel said. “What adifference. In the past we had to rehab machines every six months, eight atmost. Now, with Franklin Miller, we get at least two years.” The TASKMASTER® TM8500 twin shaft and inline grinders cut through wastewater solids with design features that make them unique. TASKMASTER grinders feature dependable mechanical seals in a cartridge design and CUTTER CARTRIDGE® technology, with two stacks of intermeshing cutters that aggressively pull the solids in and finely reduce them. This CUTTER CARTRIDGE technology replaces 6 cutter disks and 6 spacer disks with a one-piece element for far greater strength, fewer components, no stack loosening or stack re-tightening requirement. These grinders can be installed in gravity or pressurized, vertical or horizontal pipe systems, on the suction or positive side of a pump and are built for sewage, sludge, septage and screenings applications in either open channel, inline or gravity installations. “The lead time and customer service at FMI is fantastic. Every time I call, they pick up, they respond, and I get what I need quickly. “Our old company had the worst customer service. Calls went nowhere, not to mention their machine parts were made in China. Garbage that didn’t last.” The DIMMINUTOR® provides automatic screening and grinding of liquid-borne solids with a straight-through open-channel design. This unit reduces plastics, wood, vegetable matter, disposables and other oversized items to a fine particulate. The DIMMINUTOR is designed for reliable operation and easy maintenance. For example, with its cantilevered design, the DIMMINUTOR needs no seals or bearings near the gritty channel floor. The unit’s screen is stationary so it never wears against bottom grit. Each cutter is interchangeable and cutters can be removed or adjusted independently. The unit’s seals and bearings are immersed in an oil bath for long life and low maintenance. “We are so happy with switched to Franklin Miller. The longevity of these machines is so much better, so there is lots less down time and therefore less money wasted.” ‍

Wastewater Case Studies·April 5, 2024

The Inline Solution for Brewer, Maine

The Brewer Water Pollution Control Facility is a Grade V facility which uses the Conventional Activated Sludge method of treatment to remove conventional and nonconventional contaminants from wastewater across their main water pollution control facility, as well as in 14 pump stations. They were running a variety of grinders in the plant and found that they were not always working efficiently. In fact, they were having tons of problems with debris such as plastic, wood, and tampons constantly getting stuck in the cutters. “We had so many problems with those machines,” said Lou Colburn, Chief Operator at Brewer Maine plant. At that point, the plant knew they needed a better solution. Their industry research led them to Franklin Miller’s broad line of municipal grinders. The plant decided to purchase an inline Taskmaster TM8500. “We bought that first machine about 15 years ago,” Colburn said. “It’s been working great ever since.” About five years after their first Franklin Miller unit, the plant purchased a second machine to be used for primary sludge. “That machine has been a lifesaver. It’s done everything we need it to do,” Colburn said. The plant has a dissolved air flotation unit and they also put in a septage receiving station. As their operation grew, so did their problems. Back at their main facility, wipes were constantly clogging up their system. Since they had already had so much luck with their Franklin Miller grinders, they decided to install another inline Taskmaster TM8500. “We were cleaning pumps on a daily basis,” said Colburn. “We put in another FMI grinder two years ago and it’s fantastic. We have not had to clear it once since the installation. To go from daily clogs to none at all has been incredible.” The TASKMASTER® TM8500 twin shaft grinders provide unsurpassed grinding of wastewater solids, and design features that make them truly unique. These units have proven their capability and unique reliability in installations worldwide. TASKMASTER grinders feature dependable mechanical seals in a cartridge design and CUTTER CARTRIDGE® Technology. These grinders reduce pump ragging and problems with downstream equipment by finely reducing such solids as rags, plastics, wipes, paper, disposables, fabrics, wood, bottles and much more. They are built for sewage, sludge, septage and screenings applications in either open channel, inline or gravity installations. Each unit is heavily constructed for low vibration and quiet operation. “The FMI grinders have saved us a lot of man hours. They really are fantastic. I would highly recommend this machine to anyone. The FMI units have truly been a godsend.”

Wastewater Case Studies·May 15, 2022

TASKMASTER® Solves System Breakdowns in the City of Fitchburg

The City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts was having problems with their new wastewater grinders purchased from a well known manufacturer. “The grinders were nothing but constant trouble right from the start,” said Ken Letourneau from the City of Fitchburg WWTP. They failed routinely. Debris getting stuck between the single tooth cutters was one source of constant breakdowns. Another major problem was that the grinders did not have bottom bearings, causing the rotating shafts to blow out the bottom of the machines and wear away quickly. “They were total junk that caused a lot of downtime,” Letourneau said. Letourneau began to research replacement grinders and turned to Franklin Miller for a better design. “We were excited about the benefits of CUTTER CARTRIDGE® technology, and had also heard nothing but good things about the robustness of the machines, which is exactly what we were looking for.” With CUTTER CARTRIDGE technology, every 6 cutters and 6 spacers are combined into one-piece elements. This markedly increases unit strength and eliminates many parts from the unit, simplifying maintenance. After purchasing their first TM8500 inline grinder in 2011, they were thrilled. “These TASKMASTER® grinders have been absolutely awesome,” Letourneau said. “We were originally using these machines for galley sludge hauling. We have stopped that service now, and are using these grinders solely for wastewater processing, especially rags and wipes,” Letourneau said. “Many wastewater treatment plants have been battling ragging and wipes with very little success. Thanks to our set up here, it’s really no problem for us. We have had no downtime at all. Day to day, the grinders have been extremely reliable. At this point, we basically expect nothing outside of routine maintenance and an annual inspection.” Wipes have become a big issue for the city overall. The screens at the headworks help with some of the wipes, but not all. “The grinders handle all the wipes at that point quite well. We never have ragging or clumping problems at the grinder, which we are very grateful for."

Wastewater Case Studies·May 13, 2022

To the Rescue The Dimminutor® Makes a Difference at Ross Valley Sanitary District

Ross Valley Sanitary District in San Rafael, California services approximately 47,000 mostly residential customers over a 27 square mile service area. They have 5 major pump stations, which is where Ross Valley found themselves having the most trouble. The existing channel grinders were simply not reliable. “It was constant headache,” said Philip Marcantonio, Senior Collection System Worker. “The pumps were ragging up sometimes twice a week and sometimes twice a day.” The plant reported that the machines were not efficient at all. “It was a lot of extra work on us to keep the stations going,” Marcantonio said. On top of that, the constant downtime was causing even more than extra work; it was costing the district a lot of money. They knew this was not a sustainable system to keep their plant and stations running. According to Noel Sandoval, Operations Supervisor, that’s when the engineers suggested the plant purchase a Franklin Miller DIMMINUTOR®. “It was a great decision. Once we installed the DIMMINUTOR, all our problems went away.” The DIMMINUTOR grinder has a design that is truly unique in the industry. It has a few multi-toothed rotary and stationary cutters that are independently adjustable and replaceable without time-consuming unit disassembly. “The Dimmy is a great machine,” Marcantonio said. The Dimminutor also has a heavy stationary screen that retains the oversized solids and is self-cleared by the rotating cutters. Since it is stationary, it never wears against bottom grit. With its cantilevered design, the DIMMINUTOR needs no seals or bearings near the gritty channel floor. Ross Valley performs routine maintenance every six months or so to inspect and clean the machine. “Maintenance is so simple,” Sandoval said. “We just take off the bolts, clean and inspect each machine... and then we’re done.” They credit the DIMMINUTOR design of rotating bi-directional cutters as a major reason the units work so well. “The rotating cutters make a huge difference, changing direction every two hours. It pretty much breaks up anything.” Marcantonio added. “The rotating and reversing helps with teeth wear as well as cleaning any stuck debris,” he said. “Our previous grinders just ran until they broke, stopped working, overheated or tripped out. Our on-call staff was working constantly to fix them, costing us so much money. With the DIMMINUTOR units in place, we can now spend our time and money on other things that serve our plant and customers.” The team at Ross Valley also commended Franklin Miller’s support and customer service. “Franklin Miller customer service is hands down the best,” Sandoval said. “Every time we call with questions, they are there for us. They’ve sent people out to us when we needed, to go over each part and make sure we were at peak performance, and they even hosted us in their New Jersey plant to learn best practices on service and building these machines.” “The Dimmy is a godsend,” Marcantonio said. “They are truly like they say, built like a tank. It is a workhorse for us.” Sandoval continued, “We stay with Franklin Miller because not only does the product perform, but the people there are behind it for us 24/7.”

Wastewater Case Studies·June 18, 2020

Introducing the TM6500 Compact Grinder

Introducing the all new TASKMASTER® TM6500. This unit packs powerful twin shaft grinding performance in compact design. The TM6500 offers excellent grinding performance for protection of pumps, valves, centrifuges and more in sludge and raw sewage applications. Like the larger TM8500, this unit features CUTTER CARTRIDGE® Technology for high strength. Other features include small footprint to fit into tight plant locations, a drop-in housing design for easy maintenance, heavy 2” hex shafting and more. The TM6500 features minimal maintenance. The unit’s proven seals as well as the bearings are located in bearing/seal cartridge assemblies. The unit is powered by a 2hp (1.5kw) gearmotor. The TASKMASTER can be successfully installed in sewage treatment plants, sludge lines, pumping stations, roadside or runway sanitary facilities, institutional waste, or small solid waste applications. The unit is supplied for open channel or in-line applications.

Wastewater Case Studies·September 26, 2019

Taskmaster® Titan® Grinders to the Rescue at ECUA

The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) was having a difficulty with their sewage grinders. They were running four grinders supplied by a well known manufacturer at two of their pump stations, with each station processing approximately 10 mgd. Unfortunately, their first set of grinders turned out to be problematic. They created a lot of down time and generated excessive maintenance costs. ECUA needed a new solution to solve their problems and get their pump stations functioning properly. “From day one, they did not work,” said Gerry Piscopo, Deputy Executive Director of Maintenance & Construction. “We have a 48 inch gravity line feed. The machines ragged up, broke, and just plain didn’t work. The rotating baskets would fill with wipes and stop the flow. We sometimes got things such as wet plywood in the grinders. We would have to pull out the entire machine and use a blow torch on the plywood.” “We knew this couldn’t go on,” Piscopo said. After weighing their options, they decided to go with Franklin Miller Grinders as they began to replace their current machines. “We installed the first TASKMASTER® TITAN® four years ago. “ Since then, the ECUA has installed a total of four grinders, the TASKMASTER TITAN Duplex, in these two major pump stations. “We have not had one day of maintenance since,” Piscopo said. “We couldn’t believe it,” Piscopo said. “No maintenance. None. With our last machines, we never had even a single month without major service needed.” He also discussed that with the previous supplier, they had to send the entire machine back to the company to be serviced. Piscopo continued, “Now, we have no maintenance issues. We never have to take the machine out of the channel.” Because the ECUA is a coastal operation, uptime really has a trickle effect. Less down time means less damage to pumps. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) operates three wastewater treatment plants in Escambia County, Florida. There are currently 895.5 miles of gravity main pipes, 300.6 miles of force main, 17,041 manholes, 483 air release valves and 960 valves in operation in the system. The ECUA is beyond happy with their Franklin Miller units. “I’m really happy the Franklin Miller machines have worked as well as they have. The Franklin Miller Titan grinders have sure as heck held up,” Piscopo said. He also discussed Franklin Miller’s true submersible motor. He says this was a huge benefit for him as the previous company’s machines were supplied with immersible motors as opposed to true submersible. The TASKMASTER TITAN DUPLEX is a unique, high-flow 4-shaft channel grinder with a full-cut™ design that offers optimal protection for pumps, filter presses and other downstream equipment. Its innovative design features CUTTER CARTRIDGE® Technology. These cutters intermesh with a second cutter stack with a much larger diameter. The result is a truly heavy-duty, high flow channel grinder. “Overall,” Piscopo said. “Working with FMI has been really great. We haven’t needed parts or to do any maintenance at all. I am definitely a satisfied customer.”

Wastewater Case Studies·June 19, 2019

SPIRALIFT® Screening System- Solves Sludge and BOD Problems at City of Plymouth

The City of Plymouth processes 150,000 gallons of raw sewage a day. Before 2009, the plant had no headworks installed at all. The raw sewage was being dumped into a pond. Because of this, the plant suffered major ongoing sludge and BOD problems. A city engineer recommended a new system be installed to combat these problems. After doing research, the engineer found a Franklin Miller system that proved a perfect solution. In 2009, the city installed a system consisting of a SPIRALIFT® S and SPIRALIFT® SC. The system screens the raw sewage, removes solids that do not break down and finally washes and conditions them. Greg Wood, Chief Wastewater Operator, reports the plant is very happy with the SPIRALIFT System. Says Wood, “It works well and really does its job! It never goes down or offline.” The SPIRALIFT screens both use augers to process the solids. The SPIRALIFT S channel screen has a shaftless auger design. Solids captured on its semicircular screen are swept from the screen by brushes affixed to the perimeter of the auger, washed and transported up to a discharge. The screenings then fall into the SC Screenings Conditioner. The SPIRALIFT SC employs two technologies for optimal washing. First, a TASKMASTER® grinder reduces the solids to uniform particles exposing multiple surfaces to the washing action. Next, the SPIRALIFT SC intensively washes organics and flushes them back into the system. The unit’s auger then conveys the solids into the unit’s press zone. The output is deposited into a bin, bag or conveyor — washed, ground and reduced in weight. The grinder and press technology, along with highly rugged construction, makes the SC uniquely effective. Wood performs very basic maintenance, oiling and cleaning the machines once a year. “In addition, the city has had to replace the brushes only once in all these years,” he said. Before installing the Franklin Miller system, the sludge and BOD problems caused a lot of headaches at the plant on a very regular basis. The SPIRALIFT system has eliminated them all. “Now, we have no problems,” Wood said.

Wastewater Case Studies·June 4, 2019

County Drastically Cuts Costs With DIMMINUTOR®

Fairfield Wastewater Treatment Plant in Butler County, Ohio was having a lot of trouble with their grinders. The plant serves over 42,500 domestic customers, a number of commercial and industrial institutions as well as Mercy Hospital of Fairfield. They treat about five million gallons of wastewater collected in over 175 miles of sewer pipe each day. The brand of grinders they were using was extremely costly to maintain. They had two – one in each of their wet wells. Each year, one of the units would come out for a full rebuild due to the cutters’ complete deterioration. This was costing them about $25,000 a year in rebuild costs. “It was ridiculously expensive,” Brad Abner, Chief Operator at Fairfield WWTP, said. “There was no way we could keep using something with such high maintenance costs.” After some market research, the plant decided to install a Franklin Miller DIMMINUTOR® Wastewater Grinder to replace their current machine. Almost immediately, they found the DIMMINUTOR to be more reliable and easier to maintain than their old grinders ever was. “They are running wonderfully,” Abner said. “Even if we had to maintain the DIMMINUTOR on the same schedule as our old machines, it would still be half the price.” The DIMMINUTOR is an open-channel comminutor that provides automatic screening and grinding of liquid-borne solids with a straight through design. This unit reduces plastics, wood, vegetable matter, disposables, and other oversized items to a fine particulate. The DIMMINUTOR’S unique features, heavy precision construction, dependable operation and simplified maintenance have earned it a solid reputation amongst operators and specifying engineers worldwide. The DIMMINUTOR is designed for reliable operation and easy maintenance. For example, with its cantilevered design, the DIMMINUTOR needs no seals or bearings near the gritty channel floor. The unit’s screen is stationary so it never wears against bottom grit. Each cutter is interchangeable and cutters can be removed or adjusted independently. The unit’s seals and bearings are immersed in an oil bath for long life and low maintenance.

Wastewater Case Studies·June 3, 2019

Case Study: TASKMASTER® TITAN® to the Rescue in Picturesque, Cobleskill, New York

The wastewater treatment plant in picturesque Cobleskill, New York, was unable to process the wastewater generated by the town’s 4,678 year- round residents. The buildup of plastics, rags, trash wrappings and other debris was regularly clogging the system, necessitating frequent cleanings. Cobleskill, New York, settled in 1752, draws tens of thousands of visitors to the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair, held yearly since 1876. Visitors also enjoy fishing and boating on the nearby creeks and reservoirs. But with the influx of all these visitors, more waste is generated. The town’s wastewater plant, an activated sludge system with extended aeration, was originally designed to treat an average flow of 1.85mgd. Septage and incoming wastewater flow through a bar screen and the oversized solids are sent to two channel grinders where they are reduced to a fine particulate. The solids are allowed to settle in the secondary clarifier, pass to an aerated digester, and are dewatered and sent to a land fill. Treated effluent is discharged into Cobleskill creek. But the plant was overwhelmed and couldn’t handle the buildup that was constantly clogging the system and halting operation. “After reviewing our options, we decided to replace one of the grinders with a more powerful one “said Plant Operator, Don Borthwick. “Our distributor recommended the Franklin Miller TASKM ASTER® TITAN® (TM 14000). They liked the design because the unit has a full cut grinder.” “Our original units did not have this feature and a lot of material got by them. We purchased the TITAN which was easily installed at the head of the plant at the sewer main,” he continued. “As we had hoped, the grinder prevented material from passing downstream to the pumps.” ”Since the installation a few months ago, the pumps have been clog- free and the frequent maintenance problems have stopped. The Titan runs very well and as an added bonus runs quietly,” he concluded. The TASKMASTER TITAN (TM 14000) is a major innovation in twin shaft channel grinding technology. This unit’s design employs two counter-rotating shafts, but unlike previous twin shaft grinders, one cutter stack intermeshes with a second one, which has a much larger diameter. The result is superior performance in both grinding and liquid handling. The TASKMASTER TITAN combines powerful channel grinding capability with high flow capacity and low headloss and without the need for rotating diverter screens which have been known to be noisy, inefficient and maintenance prone. With its massive array of cutting edges, cutter life and unit strength are enhanced. The unit’s unique design provides superior feeding of large, bulky or round objects and a finely ground output for excellent protection of pumps, filter presses and other downstream equipment. The TITAN employs a 3hp or 5hp motor and cycloidal gear drive, cutter cartridge technology and a 14”x 12” up to 14”x 60” inlet cutting chamber size for handling flow rates up to 8 mgd.

Wastewater Case Studies·April 5, 2019

Video Case Study: A Septage Receiving Solution

The Willits, California Wastewater Treatment Plant services over 10,000 residents and receives 750 loads of septage each year, but found they had a serious problem. Heavy septage from “honey trucks” was dumped by haulers into its wet well which clogged the plant’s pumps and caused flow channels to overrun. The plant also lacked oversight as to who was pumping and what was being pumped into its system. It could not control the pH level of the wastewater. As they searched for a solution, Franklin Miller’s SPIRALIFT® SR Septage Receiving Station stood out. After a thorough review, the plant determined that the unique SPIRALIFT had the exact capabilities they needed. They decided to purchase this system. The SPIRALIFT SR effectively separates, washes and grinds septage with its TASKMASTER grinder and high-strength fully enclosed shaftless screw screen. The grinder reduces the waste, allowing it to freely flow through the system while heavy metal and rock solids are captured in the unit’s tramp trap. A flow meter accurately records the gallons being pumped. The SPIRALIFT SR will automatically turn off if the pH level is out of range. Operator Daniel Curtis noted, “Waste overflows are no longer a problem because the SPIRALIFT prevents the haulers from dumping directly into the plant’s wet well.” Curtis is also no longer concerned about inaccurate loads. He knew that the financial benefit of accurate recording would offset the cost of the SPIRALIFT SR, but is impressed that the SPIRALIFT has “darn near paid for itself in the first year by keeping all the pumper trucks and operators honest.” Plant Operator Nici Caldwell also has nothing but praise for the SPIRALIFT. “The plant is operating better and more efficiently since the installation, she said. “The SPIRALIFT is working great. It is really easy for the septic haulers to just come in, hook up and dump. It’s an in and out; no more trash in our equipment. Our influent pumps seem safe. Controlling the pH level is also no longer a concern. With the pH meter, if it is out of the norm, the machine shuts off. It is really, overall, working great for us.” With a full array of options, including unique Hauler Logic software, the SPIRALIFT can be customized to meet almost any septage receiving need. Contact Franklin Miller to learn how the SPIRALIFT can meet your plant’s requirement. Call 973-535-9200 or email info@franklinmiller.com to speak to an application engineer.

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