Information on the City Lift Station and Sewer Lines
Image of lift station electrical panel as of 5 May 2025. Photo by Timbrook.
Image of Pump 2 in lift station tube as of 5 May 2025. Photo by Timbrook.
Image of Lift Station in the northeast corner of the City of Kramer as of 5 May 2025. Photo by Timbrook.
Image of the pole mounted warning light at the lift station as of 5 May 2025. Photo by Timbrook.
City of Kramer Lift Station
Sewage lift stations simplify the process of moving wastewater from residential and commercial properties to a treatment plant, or in the City of Kramer, to sewage lagoons, maintained south of the community. In the last 5 years, the city council has not identified a portion of the garbage fee for sewer upkeep. Nor did council dedicate and set aside a portion of the funds for sewer upkeep. As noted in recent minutes, Auditor reported the existence of a sewer fund that contained $2,067.00. The fund did exist, but FNB informed the city the account had been empty for years. It contained less than $10.00 when it was cancelled.
During this period, the council was focused only on establishing an equitable city garbage fee based on the costs associated with maintaining Circle Sanitation dumpsters in the community. In the months to come, the new city council, along with the City Sewer and Garbage Working Group will move to resolve this city leadership induced gap in funding in a fair and transparent way that puts an end to inaction.
Why the shift in thinking? Based on years of experience with the City of Kramer lift station, pumps, and electrical system, the North Dakota Sewer, Lift and Pump company out of Fargo, has informed our system is facing imminent failure.
Parts for the pumps which are 20-plus years old are no longer available. The electrical panel is located in the tube, which subjects it to high humidity, and it too is 20 plus years old. We have been in a constant state of repair for the past 5 years and at a rising cost in each repair.
In response, the Kramer City Council has requested an estimate to replace the 2 pumps and to move all electrical components to an above ground water-proof box. Those estimates should arrive before the end of May 2025. We will publish the results and meet with the community on how to move forward.
What is a Sewage Lift Station (photo to the right)
Our sewage lift station is a below ground pumping station where wastewater from our homes and several businesses collect in the basin. Alternating pumps then move the collected wastewater in the basin over a distance to the sewage lagoons, which are south of the community. Our lift station is located at the northeast corner of the community. Below we will describe the different parts of city sewage system.
The Parts of the Kramer Sewage Lift Station
The following are some of the primary components of a lift station:
Basin
The basin is where wastewater collects before being pumped to the lagoons south of town. It allows for temporary storage of sewage until it reaches a preset level, which triggers the pumps to move the collected waste down the sewer line to its next destination. The basin also has floats that triggers pump activity and a screening bucket that prevents material (such as disposal wipes, rags, etc.) from entering the city pumps and doing damage. The City Council checks these on floats and waste basket periodically throughout the year. The basin is located beneath two manhole covers immediately adjacent to the tube. The basin has a stainless-steel hand operated crane that is used to lift the manhole covers and trash basket in the basin (see photo).
Pumps (phot0 above)
Pumps are located at the base of the tube that sits adjacent to the basin. The pumps move wastewater collected in the basin to the sewage lagoons. They lift the sewage up using pressurized force, overcoming the gravitational pull that would otherwise keep it stagnant. Our pumps are over 15 feet down in the base of the tube and can only be reached by mounted ladder down the side of the tube. Because of the age of our pumps, and their constant state of needing repair, the City Council is investigating an above ground panel that will control all of the maintenance systems (see photo).
Check Valves
Check valves are crucial components in a sewage lift station that prevent the backflow of wastewater into the system after the pump moves it out. They open to allow flow in one direction when the pump is active and close tightly when it stops to prevent the sewage from flowing back into the receiving well. We have had issues with the check value operation due to electrical shorts.
Electric Motors and Panel
Electric motors provide the necessary power to operate pumps and other equipment within the sewage lift station. They convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, which allows the pump units to move wastewater effectively. Our electric motors have been replaced almost every two (2) years due to the age of our electrical panel. They will be replaced entirely when the maintenance system and pumps are replaced in the near future (see photo).
Alarm System (photo above)
The alarm system in a sewage lift station is designed to monitor various operational parameters and alert operators to potential issues such as pump failures or high-water levels. The City Council checks pumps operations on a weekly basis, to include flow rates, pump activity, and the status of the basin. These measures are balanced with a red warning light attached to the power pole adjacent to the lift station should there be any electrical failures (see photo). This is an antiquated system based on someone seeing the light on and doing adequate weekly checks. It has failed to serve us on several occasions due to severe weather and the failure of above-ground circuit breakers. New systems actually send messages to responsible authorities via cell phones and websites.
If you see the red light on immediately report it to the city council regardless of the hour or day of the week.
Sewage Lagoons
The city maintains three (3) moderately sized sewage lagoons south of the city. These lagoons are the poor man's alternative of a water treatment facility, which the city could not afford. Two (2) of the lagoons, as a 2 May 2025 are full and third is dry. There was no sign of leakage, and the banks were solid. The ponds are inspected by the city council twice per month. The first Spring 2025 inspection revealed the need to mow around the ponds and the road leading up the site. Some fencing, which is required by State code, is in need of repair, as is the gate to site.
Information on the City of Kramer Sewer System
The sewer lines in the City of Kramer with a few exceptions, run West to East and under the city streets and lead to the Lift Station. The lines connect to sewer pits covered by heavy manhole covers around the community, but most are on private property. The City Council will check these pits annually to ensure there is no substantial collection of debris and that an acceptable flow of wastewater is present.
KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS AWAY FROM THESE LOCATIONS WHEN MAINTENACE IS BEING PERFORMED. THE PITS ARE DEEP AND CONCRETE LINED. "ONLY CITY PERSONNEL" AND CITY APPROVED PLUMBERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO OPEN THE PITS. DO NOT USE THE PITS AS DISCHARGE LOCATIONS FOR DUMPING RECREATIONAL VEHICLES OR OTHER TYPES OF WASTE.
Any and all planned work involving the city sewer lines (Such as a tap in) must be approved and coordinated with the City Council. Maps for line locations and manhole cover are available. There are tap in fees due to required inspections requirements.