Montgomery County WCID #1

❗️QUESTION❗️

Q: In a recent post you mentioned that there are 29 “lift stations” in The Woodlands. What are lift stations?

A: Great question—and sorry to leave you in the dark on that. Lift stations are a critical part of our wastewater system. Most of the time, gravity does the heavy lifting, carrying wastewater from homes and businesses toward one of our three treatment plants, owned and operated by the San Jacinto River Authority.

But here’s the challenge: gravity requires a steady downhill slope. Over long distances, that slope pushes pipes deeper and deeper into the ground, eventually, reaching a depth that’s impractical to build or maintain.

In steps the lift station - it brings the wastewater back up closer to the surface and reestablishes the grade, allowing gravity to take over again.

👉THE INNER WORKINGS👈

Sensors inside the wet well measure the water level. When the sewage reaches a set height, it triggers the pumps.

Pumps switch on and push the wastewater uphill through force mains (pressurized pipes). Once it’s lifted to a high enough point, gravity carries it downstream through regular sewer pipes.

As the wet well empties, the pumps shut off, ready for the next cycle.

Thank you for the inquiry! 👋

Stay tuned for more H2O info! 💧

📌 The Woodlands Water Agency
📍 2455 Lake Robbins Drive
☎️ (855)-426-7283
✉️ [email protected]