The Maintenance Department works in all areas of the treatment plant, with primary responsibility for proper function of rotating equipment. Beginning in 1938, HSD began building infrastructure (sewers and interceptors) and purchasing assets (pumps and motors) needed to treat wastewater from the growing northwest Indiana region. By the end of 1940, HSD had issued 19 major bonds to fund unit operations at the Columbia Avenue site, as well as the three major collection pump stations, Roberstdale Station to the north, Kennedy Av. Station to the East, and Southside Station to the south. Plant expansions and additions have continued steadily since then, with bonds totaling 30 by 1960, and 60 by the early 1990’s.
HSD 2000-hp Biogas EngineToday HSD uses around 4000-hp each day to transport and treat nearly 40-million gallons per day of wastewater through the plant, the main facility on Columbia Av servicing a 55-square mile region. Forty-four (44) outlying pump stations and over 50-miles of gravity sewers deliver wastewater to the Columbia Av. sump. Keeping the equipment functioning involves repairs, replacements, condition monitoring, preventative and predictive maintenance activities. Work is focused on pumps and motors, but ends up encompassing many support systems including electrical gear, instrumentation, and computer automation technology.
HSD boasts one of Indiana’s largest waste fuel engines, one of our newer equipment installations. At over 2000-hp, complete with waste heat recovery (cogeneration), the Waukesha engine fires on methane recovered from our anaerobic digesters. Directly coupled to a large aeration blower, the methane gas is converted directly into mechanical energy, saving money each and every month. Right is a picture of the waste fuel engine, the biggest machine at the plant.
Contact
Dan Zander, Superintendent of Maintenance
219-853-6413, Ext. 530