Declo Idaho Declared A No Clog Zone With MLS And A Landia Chopper Pump

Premier pump, motor and drives distributor Mitchell, Lewis & Staver had been appointed to resolve the problem, caused largely by items such as wet wipes and disposable dusters that the existing pump could not cope with.

Although the raw wastewater was typically less than 1% solids, the problematical 4” (450gpm @ 35’ TDH) pump regularly clogged up because rags had no trouble in wrapping themselves around the standard, so-called ‘non-clogging’ impeller, as Ty Collins from Mitchell, Lewis & Staver explains:

“The curse of wet wipes and the like is all too common problem for lift station pumps these days,” he said. “This is why at Declo we specified Landia’s chopper pump with its unique hardened external knife blade system, which very importantly, chops up solids and any stringy material prior to them entering the impeller”.

He added: “We’ve also had very good back-up from Landia, who for a near seamless installation, also designed and built a base/suction elbow to match the existing suction and discharge piping height. At Mitchell, Lewis & Stavor (established 1882), we firmly believe in providing top quality long-term solutions, so it is pleasing to see that Landia shares this belief and is prepared to go the extra mile for their customers”.

Since its installation, the municipality of Declo has reported neither clogging issues nor downtime with the Landia chopper pump.

Declo was once home to the former ‘eighth grade dropout’, John (Jack) Richard Simplot, who at 14 (back in 1923) founded what went on to become the world's largest potato processing business, J R Simplot Company. At the time of his death in 2008, aged 99, he was the oldest billionaire on the Forbes 400.