Crews Continue to Monitor Northside Lift Station Running on Backup Generator

*Update: Power has been restored as of 5/24/2024

City of Madison crews are working with Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District crews to continue monitoring and staffing a critical lift station running on a backup generator on the City’s north side until power is restored. The City crew relieved the MMSD crew this afternoon after three days of work on the lift station. 

The lift station has been running on a backup generator since the May 21, 2024 storms. The City’s wastewater lift station is located at 4100 Veith Avenue. The May 21, 2024 storms knocked out power in the area, and the lift station was impacted. 

The lift station will continue to run on a portable backup generator until MG&E is able to restore power to the lift station. Lift stations are an integral part of the wastewater collection system. Lift stations pump wastewater from lowest point in a watershed to a gravity sewer which then drains to the treatment plant.

The Veith Lift Station serves 108 homes and the Mendota Mental Institute. Generators can be a noise nuisance, however, if the lift station does not have power from the generators, homes are likely to experience sanitary sewer backups and the lift station will overflow. We do not anticipate any issues with the generator or the need for tanker trucks for this power outage.

The City will provide updates as crews monitor and continue to work through Tuesday’s storm impacts. MG&E hopes to have power back on to the lift station by the weekend.