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Information for S.T.E.P. Sewer Customers

What Are S.T.E.P. Systems?
Most sewer customers' household waste goes directly into our gravity sewer collection system and is transported to the wastewater treatment plant for processing. Waste from customers on S.T.E.P. (Septic Tank Effluent Pump) systems does not. Instead, household wastewater spends time in a STEP sewer system before heading out to the sewer collection system and being transported to the wastewater treatment plant. Each individual STEP system includes a septic tank, pump tank, pump and control panel. The liquid waste that would normally go to the drain field in a regular septic system, is pumped through a small pressure line into sewer lines leading to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The STEP system pump is controlled by a system of floats within your tank. The electrical box mounted on the side of your house controls the floats and pumps. The floats activate an alarm in the electrical (alarm) box when the fluid level in the tank gets too high or too low.

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S.T.E.P. Control & Alarm Panel

If Your S.T.E.P. Alarm Sounds

  • Silence the alarm
  • Locate the alarm box on the exterior of your home and push the red button or touch the hand print to silence the alarm. The red light will stay on as long as there is an alarm condition.
  • Call to report the alarm 
  • To report the alarm Mon.-Fri. 7:30a.m.-4:30 p.m. call (252)639-7541.
  • To report the alarm after hours, weekends, or holidays call (252) 636-4070.
  • Conserve Water
  • STEP systems have small storage capacity. Curtail water use to prevent overflow of the holding tank and your home's plumbing system.

Additional information regarding your S.T.E.P system can be found in the brochure below and if you have questions about your S.T.E.P system, please contact the Water Resources Maintenance Division at (252)639-7541.

S.T.E.P. System Customer Brochure