INSTALLATION

The following is a brief description of the steps you need to take in order to connect to the City's Sewer System. For detailed information, including how to apply for a loan with the City of Tallahassee, please download the Low Pressure Sewer System Operation & Maintenance Reference Guide (link to pdf):

1. Contact a licensed plumbing contractor and licensed electrician. To find out how, click here.

   • Perform a site evaluation of your property
   • Select a package grinder pump station
   • Determine necessary electrical enhancements

   The plumber and electrician will acquire the necessary permits.

   Determine how to finance your sewer system (link to Homeowner Cost)

   Set up a utility account and pay fees at the City of Tallahassee's Frenchtown Renaissance Center

   Authorize your plumber and electrician to begin installation

   Abandon your current septic tank

   When you connect to the low-pressure system you will have to abandon your current septic tank.

   To abandon a septic tank, your plumber must:

• Obtain a permit from the Leon County Health Department
• Cut all lines running to the tank
• Contact the City of Tallahassee "Your Own Utilities" at (850) 891-4YOU (4968) to pump the tank for free
• Put a hole in the bottom to prevent future water retention
• Fill the tank with clean sand or similar material

Modifications to your existing septic tank are not allowed.
There is also an option to have your septic tank removed from your property.

HOW TO CHOOSE A GRINDER PUMP STATION PACKAGE

To help ensure a competitive price for the grinder pump station installation package, homeowners are encouraged to obtain price quotes from more than one Licensed Plumber. However, cost should not be the sole deciding factor. Much like buying a new car, buyers should also consider items such as warranty, emergency service, and operation. The information presented below is intended to assist homeowners in making an informed decision about the type of system they should chose.

One of the most frequent concerns presented by homeowners is "What happens if my grinder pump station does not work?"

While this is certainly a valid and understandable question, let's examine the few main reason's a grinder pump station might fail:

• Power Failure
• Pump Failure
• Sewer System Failure

Power Failure

While power failures are not generally considered a regularly occurring problem, they do happen and should be anticipated. Because grinder pump stations require electricity from the house, a power failure generally renders the pump station inoperable. However, there are steps homeowners can take to prevent sewer back-ups in the event of a power failure.

First, we should keep in mind that most homeowners' water usage drops significantly during a power failure. Typical household appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines that use water and contribute to the sewer flow are also inoperable during a power failure. Conscientious homeowners that conserve water usage during a power failure will find that the standard grinder pump basins have a significant amount of storage. And those that limit bathing activities and toilet flushes to as few as necessary during power failures will generally not experience problems with sewer backups.

An additional measure is to provide an emergency generator receptacle on the pump station control panel. In recent years, several homeowners have invested in small portable generators. Many of these generators have adequate power to operate a grinder pump station in short intervals, thus allowing normal use of household facilities.

And finally, when purchasing a grinder pump station package, homeowners can opt for a slightly larger pump basin to provide additional storage volume in the event of a power failure. However, there should be a balance of consideration given to the additional cost and potential for minor odors with larger basins.

Pump Failure

While pump failures are also not considered a regularly occurring problem, they can happen and should also be anticipated. In general, pump failures occur for one of two reasons: the pump has had a mechanical failure or the pump has clogged. The mechanical failure can be a result of mechanical parts wearing out as a result of normal operation, or it can also be a result of improper usage by the homeowner.

With today's technology, it is not uncommon to have a grinder pump last five to ten years, if properly maintained. However, just as with any mechanical equipment, parts wear out and need to be replaced. Homeowners play a significant role into the longevity of their pumps. Discarding inappropriate materials such as abrasives and harsh chemicals into the sewer system can cause a grinder pump to prematurely wear down, resulting in a pump failure.

Grinder pumps can also clog as a result of what the homeowner discard into the sewer system. Items such as cooking grease and oil, cotton swabs, chicken bones, cat litter, and the illusive kids' toy are all common culprits in reported pump problems. A list of "Do's & Don'ts" is available from the Killearn Lakes Plantation Homeowners Association.

Homeowners can opt for a duplex grinder pump station, thus providing a second or "backup" pump should one pump fail. The duplex system would also require a slightly larger pump basin to accommodate the second pump, thus also providing additional storage volume in the event of a power failure. However again, there should be a balance of consideration given to the benefits of the duplex system and the additional costs associated with the system.

Homeowners may want to consider a service contract with their system installer in order provide routine inspection and emergency repair of their grinder pump station, if needed.

Sewer System Failure

Sewer system failure is by far the least likely of failures to occur, but a possibility nonetheless. In general, this is a result of a failure in the City's collection system – possibly a blockage, a broken sewer main, or maybe a closed valve. The effect on the homeowner would depend on the nature of the failure to the City's sewer system. A blockage or closed valve would eventually prohibit the grinder pump station from discharging into the City's sewer system. A break in the sewer main, while at first is not likely to affect the homeowners' ability to discharge their grinder pump station; once the break is detected and needs to be fixed, the sewer system will need to be shut down temporarily in order to make the repair

WHO TO CALL FOR HELP

In order to connect to the new septic system, you will need to hire both a plumber and an electrician. To help with this process, we have compiled a list of things to consider when hiring a plumber, as well as provided contact information for the Licensed Plumbers in Leon County.
What to Consider When Hiring a Plumber:

1. Is the plumber licensed and insured?
2. Check their references and/or complaint history.
3. Define the scope of work, establish a fee, and obtain a written agreement for their service.
4. Ask if an extended warranty plan and/or service are available.
5. Find out if a 24-hour service is available in case of an emergency.
6. Ask if the plumber is experienced with grinder pump stations.
7. Ask if the plumber is capable of performing electrical work or whether you need to hire an electrician.

Licensed Plumbers with Leon County Approved Master Plan for Killearn Lakes Plantation Low Pressure Sewer System can be viewed here.