Texas Wastewater Class B Practice Exam

When wastewater cannot flow to the treatment plant by gravity, what is typically used?

1. A pipe extension

2. A lift station

3. A treatment tank

4. A siphon

The correct answer is: A lift station

When wastewater cannot flow to the treatment plant by gravity, a lift station is typically used. Lift stations are essential components of wastewater systems designed to convey waste to a higher elevation, allowing it to flow by gravity towards the treatment facility. They consist of a receiving tank, where wastewater collects, and pumps that lift the sewage to the necessary elevation. The other options do not serve this specific purpose. A pipe extension may help in certain circumstances, but it doesn't actively lift or move the wastewater. A treatment tank is designed to process the wastewater, not move it uphill. A siphon can move water through a pipe over a high point due to differences in pressure, but it is generally less reliable for wastewater applications where controlled lifting is needed. Therefore, a lift station is the most appropriate and effective solution for handling wastewater that cannot flow by gravity.