Problem
A 437-bed medical facility with 2,400 physicians and nurses in Panoma, CA, relied on seven sewage ejection pits to move wastewater into the municipal system. However, the hospital faced chronic clogging problems caused by “disposable” wipes and other nonflushable
items.
With pumps running 24/7, downtime was frequent and costly. The pumps required repeated rebuilds and replacements, while emergency maintenance calls— often on nights, weekends, or holidays— cost the hospital $4,500 to $8,500 each time. The hospital required a long-term solution that would reliably shred flushed solids, thereby reducing costly downtime and maintenance expenses.
Solution
The hospital’s engineering partner recommended BJM Pumps® SK Series solids-handling shredder pumps for the hospital’s 16-foot sewage ejection pits. The SK Series delivers continuous 360° shredding action, effectively shredding wipes, rags, and solids up to 3.5 inches in
diameter.
The pumps are built for heavy-duty reliability, featuring three-seal motor protection, Class F insulation, winding protection, and the Seal Minder® moisture detection system for early warning of seal issues. Two SK pumps were installed in a duplex arrangement, achieving 570 GPM at 59 feet of head.
Since installation, the pumps have operated smoothly, eliminating clogs & emergency calls, and reducing maintenance costs.