Many homes in Palm Coast utilize a Pretreatment Effluent Pumping (PEP) tank for wastewater. Residents with PEP tanks should limit water usage if their power goes out and during heavy rain events. Water usage during these times could risk waste backing up into homes. PEP systems use electricity to pump the waste out to the sewer system.
If power outages occur because of a significant weather event, a reserve capacity in the PEP tank allows for a normal day’s usage before any difficulty may be experienced. Palm Coast has generators at our neighborhood pump stations designated specifically for PEP tank system backup power and works closely with Florida Power and Light to restore power to neighborhoods with PEP systems as quickly as possible.
If waste starts backing up into the home, which typically occurs in the shower first, residents should stop using any water and submit a case using PalmCoast.gov/Connect or call customer service at 386-986-2360.
To prevent PEP tanks from backing up during a power outage, limit water usage. Don’t do laundry, run the dishwasher, or take frequent showers. Flushing toilets should be limited as much as possible.
If your PEP is sounding an audible alarm from the control panel, press the button on the bottom of the panel to silence the alarm. As the rainwater recedes, the system should return to normal function. If the alarm continues to sound within 24 hours, residents should call submit a case or call customer service at 386-986-2360.
For more information on PEP tanks, click here.
For more information on storm preparedness, visit PalmCoast.gov/emergency.
Laurel says
This is the junk these geniuses want to put in the Hammock, with the ICW on one side of us and the ocean on the other. Just grin and bare it, like it’s normal, and hope it doesn’t overflow too often.
John Orlando says
The article says that there are emergency generators to power the pep tank system during power outages. Does that mean my own emergency generator should not be used to feed the pep tank circuit during a power outage? Owners of emergency generators need clarity on this issue both for the safety of the repair crews and to protect the homes’ emergency generators from backfeed.
Nancy N. says
How do you run your dishwasher or do laundry when the power is out? Does that really need to be said to not do that?
Just thinking ahead 🫠 says
If it is going to back up into my house I’m going outside and take the clean out cap off. Let it flow out at a lower point and keep it outside the houe
Dave says
PEP tank pumps can be powered 5 different ways.
1) Your normal FPL power from your breaker panel.
2) Install a 10-circuit Manual Transfer Switch for an emergency portable generator and dedicate one of the 10 circuits to the PEP tank.
3) Back-feed your entire breaker panel with an emergency portable generator wired through what is called a Main Breaker Interconnect.
4) Install a whole-house automatic generator.
5) Temporarily plug the SEP pump directly into a portable generator.
I have seen the city actually bring a portable generator to a home and plug the PEP tank into it to empty the tank but this is the absolute worst case scenario because you are at their mercy as to when they get to you. In a major event, you could be on a very long list of people needing their tanks pumped. Having your own emergency back-up generator is highly recommended.
Hookah Smoking Caterpillar says
When I’ve previously had PEP tank issues during a power outage they come around and hook up a generator to your “red light box” and it powers the PP tanks pump. If you have a generator you should not have any issues, including having “fluids” backing up into your house.
Bob J says
The generators only power the lift stations, not the pump on the resident side.
Bob J says
yes. Some resident do have back up power.
Nancy N. says
I live in a PC neighborhood that has PEP tanks. I didn’t think it was too common on this side of town to have the level of back up power that would facilitate the use of large appliances like that.
Kathleen Doherty says
Since we have sewers, why do we need PEP tanks that we must pay for?? Your filtration systems should be enough!!! I guess not. Our water bills are skyrocketing, i.e., $150/month for 2 people, so why don’t we have a better system? Never get an answer.