About Us

We are engineers who have been designing wastewater treatment and collection systems for over 36 years. We
specialize in custom-designed, biological package treatment systems for municipal, commercial, and industrial
applications. Our goal is to create the best solution for our client’s specific need, not just provide an off-the-shelf
product. We guarantee performance and we provide training, assistance, and long-term support.

Septic Tank Effluent Pumping (STEP) Wastewater Collection Systems

For areas where gravity collection is not feasible due
to topography, cost, or other issues, a STEP
collection system is a great alternative. Much like
low pressure grinder pump systems, the STEP system
will pump wastewater through small-diameter piping
to the wastewater treatment plant.
Unlike gravity or grinder pump systems, the STEP
system will also provide primary treatment.
Wastewater flows by gravity to a STEP tank buried
below ground. The solids settle to the bottom and
the scum floats to the surface creating a “clear zone”
in the center of the tank. Water from the clear zone
is pumped periodically into the collection lines and
sent to the wastewater plant for additional
treatment. Small diameter lines can be used since
the solids and scum have been removed in the STEP
tank.
The utility typically owns and maintains the STEP
tank and equipment, the lines from the STEP tank to
the street, and the small diameter collection
network. The pumps in the tanks are usually low
horsepower effluent pumps (typically ½ HP) and
depending on the area’s electrical cost generally use
less than $2 of electricity per month.
Earthtek’s package STEP unit includes a fiberglass tank.
These tanks are watertight and won’t leak and create
excess I/I. The tanks are pre-plumbed and include inlet
piping, a filtered pump vault to prevent solids from
entering the pump, the STEP pump, float switches,
tank junction box, and the STEP control panel. The
gasketed lids on the tank are sealed to prevent odors.
The control panel monitors the tank water depth and
pump current draw so the operator will always know if
there is a problem.
The STEP tanks are typically inspected every 5 years
and pumped about every 10 years at an average cost
of $200 - $400. The effluent pumps last about 10 – 15
years on average with a replacement cost of less than
$800.
Benefits of a STEP Collection System
➢ Reduced capital cost compared to gravity and
grinder pump sewers
➢ Effluent pumps are smaller, more energy
efficient, reliable, and last longer than grinder
pumps
➢ Allow smaller, shallower, directionally-bored
collection lines
➢ Individual tanks allow problems to be isolated to
individual users
➢ A problem with one STEP pump tank will not
affect neighboring users
➢ Reduced BOD, TSS and FOG loading to the
treatment plant
1037 S Park Acres Dr, Batesville, IN 47006
(812) 528-8784, fax (812) 645-3778
www.packageplants.com
info@packageplants.com