Sarasota County, Florida

Sarasota County Utilities Department officials can create a long list of benefits when they evaluate their vacuum sewer systems by AIRVAC.

They point to the ease and cost-effectiveness of installation. They appreciate the fact that vacuum sewers are closed systems, so there is virtually no odor and public employees rarely encounter raw sewage. They note that a gravity sewer in the same area would require about four times as many lift stations as they have vacuum stations. They also like the service and support they get from AIRVAC.

“We have a service agreement with AIRVAC, and it has been a phenomenal asset,” said Craig Bliss of the Sarasota Utilities Department. “They not only consulted us during the installation phase, they help operate and maintain the system, and they can do it cheaper than we could do it ourselves. It was a turn-key operation and it has worked out really well.”

Sarasota public works officials also note that the AIRVAC system has been very popular with local residents.

“We noticed right away that we had a minimal number of customer calls in reference to problems with their sewer,” said Bliss. “I think we had one customer call out for service in the first six months of operation. That speaks very highly for vacuum technology.”

This article appeared in the October, 2003 issue of Public Works. If you would like to read the entire story as it appeared in the magazine, you can download a pdf, or you may request hard copies.

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