There is a leak
Determine the source of the leak.
If it is a pipe:
- If the pipe connects the flocculator to the sed tank, plug the inlets with the screw caps already created. The benefit to this over just turning off the plant is that the flocculator can continue to run, since the water can leave through the weir in the flocculator which usually just handles excess flow.
Dry off the pipe with a towel. This is essential, as the caulk will not set properly if it is wet. Wait at least a few hours or a day to ensure that the surface is dry.
- Caulk the pipe, paying special attention to the bottom of the seal. The cure time is usually 24-48 hours. Leave the pipes plugged for this length of time.
- If water continues to leak, make sure that the leak is not coming from another location, and repeat the above steps if necessary.
If it is the plant leveling tank:
- Try to determine which component is causing the issue.
- Plug the pipes connecting the flocculator and the sedimentation tanks so that water stops flowing into the plant leveling tank.
- Ask Tom or one of the other nice plant operators if they could show you how to tighten the flanges of the connecting pieces.
Peristalic Pumps
It can be hard to tell which way to set the switch on a pump. If you're unsure, let a little air into part of the tubing and see which direction it goes. (That's the direction water is being pumped.)
It likely that a pump isn't running if
- the power light is off,
- the motor isn't turning (i.e., the circle on the front of the unit isn't turning),
- water in the tubes doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
If the pump is plugged in and switched on, but still isn't running, try turning the dial or pressing the up arrow to increase the pump speed. If it still isn't working, the motor may be the problem. An immediate solution is to use one of the other pumps at the pilot plant if no one else is using it. (If the pump has more than one tube running through, you might need to label the tubes before taking them out so they can put back in the right order.) To take a tube out of a pump, lift the lever near the front of the pump and gently pull the beige tube out of the pump. You probably will not need to disconnect any tubes from one another.