PROBLEM:

The Western Avenue pump station in Los Angeles, CA, operated with two 50HP pumps that faced persistent ragging and clogging, occurring 2 to 4 times per month and requiring frequent manual intervention to remove blockages. This process was not only time-consuming but also posed significant health and safety risks to employees, due to exposure to raw waste and sharps.

Moreover, the recurring ragging and clogging presented environmental risks to the surrounding area. The municipality needed a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.

SOLUTION:

The municipality’s local supplier recommended installing a DERAGGER®. By enabling Real Time Pump Protection™, the DERAGGER can immediately slow, stop, and clean the pump whenever an obstruction interferes with its operation. It also monitors the power supplied to your system, helping protect the motor from damaging conditions.

In the first week after installation, the DERAGGER prevented nine blockages across two pumps, which would have otherwise required manual intervention. Since then, the station has operated without a single blockage or clog. Additionally, the municipality monitored electricity usage at the station and recorded a 4.5% reduction in energy consumption, resulting in significant cost savings—especially important given California’s high electricity rates.