A self-cleaning wet-well

The typical wet-well consists of a pair of submersible pumps sitting at the bottom of a wet-well (or pit) that could be between 1.5 and 3.0 m in diameter. The pumps are fitted to guide rails, which guide the pumps onto discharge elbows located at the base of the well.

The pumps cycle alternatively during inflow periods (generally heaviest around meal times), and pump between the 'on' and 'off' levels in the well. These levels are generally determined by the level of the gravity influent line (invert level) and the level equivalent to the top of the pumps.

Grease, fats and oils enter the systems when grease traps or other preventative measures fail to capture these products, or when operators of food out-lets are not diligent, or have accidental spills. To a lesser extent, the householder, not aware of the consequences of their actions, could be using their sewerage system to dispose of waste oil products.

Is the cleaning of a wet-well just a costly and troublesome fact of life? Or is there truly an effective, cost-efficient alternative?