Lift Stations

Brownsburg has 35 lift stations located throughout the community, each with pumps, control panels, remote monitoring equipment, level sensors, piping, and a wet well to keep wastewater flowing in the right direction - out of residents' homes and streets.

Why Lift Stations Are Used

Normally, the wastewater leaving homes and businesses flows by gravity, but there becomes a depth that it is no longer feasible to install gravity-flow style sewers. Instead, a wet well is installed to hold the wastewater with pumps either submerged in or connected to the wet well that lifts the wastewater back up to a level that allows gravity flow to another lift station or the treatment plant.

Lift station operation and maintenance are handled by wastewater treatment personnel. The lift stations are physically inspected at least once a month. Four older stations are inspected weekly.

Two styles of lift stations can be found in Brownsburg. The majority of lift stations have submersible pumps in the wet well. There are four lift stations where the pumps are in a dry pit with piping connected to the wet well.

Lift Station Alarms

All of Brownsburg's lift stations have audible and visual alarms. Many of them also have remote alarms that automatically notify personnel of equipment failures. If you see a lift station with a flashing light or hear one buzzing, there is a malfunction at that station that needs prompt attention.

The audible alarm can be annoying and very loud to attract attention because there is equipment failure. Do not attempt to "fix" the lift station or silence the alarm; this may put either you or Town personnel in danger. Please notify the police dispatch at 317-852-1100. Personnel will respond as quickly as possible to correct the situation. Call the police dispatch immediately if you notice any suspicious activity near a lift station or sewer maintenance hole lid. Personnel will typically be in uniform and working out of a Town vehicle.

These lift stations' proper operation is essential in keeping the wastewater flowing in the correct direction - out of residents' homes and streets.