---
title: "REMOVING: SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF SOLIDS IN WASTEWATER"
description: Protect your wastewater equipment by removing solids before they cause pump, valve, and piping failures. Discover screening solutions from Hayes Group.
---

[Hayes Blog](https://blog.hayespump.com/blog)

# [REMOVING: SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF SOLIDS IN WASTEWATER](https://blog.hayespump.com/blog/removing-solving-the-problems-of-solids-in-wastewater)

 Written by [Hayes Group](https://blog.hayespump.com/blog/author/hayes-group) | Mar 10, 2026 1:29:59 PM

In the world of fluid handling, we often wish "wastewater" was just that—water. But any operator or plant manager knows the reality is far more complex. Wastewater is a rugged slurry filled with rags, plastics, grit, rocks, and biological matter.

At **[Hayes Group](http://www.hayespump.com/)**, we see firsthand the havoc these solids wreak on fluid handling systems. While modern pump technology has come a long way in handling solids, sometimes the best strategy isn't just to pump them—it’s to remove them entirely.

## **The Toll on Your Equipment**

When solids are left unchecked, they attack every component of your system. It is not a matter of *if* damage will occur, but *when*.

**The Strategy: Removal for Protection**

The logic is simple but powerful: **If the solid never reaches the equipment, it can’t damage the equipment.**

By implementing a physical barrier at the headworks or collection point, you eliminate the threat before it travels downstream. Removing solids upfront protects the integrity of your pumps, instrumentation, and biological treatment processes. It shifts the maintenance focus from emergency repairs on complex machinery to routine management of screening equipment.

**Solutions for Screening and Removal**

Depending on the volume of flow and the nature of the solids, different technologies can be deployed.

**1. Static Screens and Bar Racks**

The first line of defense is often the simplest. **Bar racks** consist of vertical steel bars spaced at specific intervals. They catch large objects—rocks, timber, large rags—before they enter the intake channel. **Static screens** operate similarly but often use a curved or sloped surface where water runs through, and solids slide off.

**2. Automated Screening**

For facilities that cannot afford the labor of manual cleaning or have high solid loads, automation is key.

- - **Chain and Rake Screens:** This system automates the bar rack concept. A mechanically driven chain equipped with rakes continuously cycles over the screen face. The rakes engage with the bars from the bottom up, pulling debris out of the water and depositing it into a dumpster or conveyor at the top. This ensures the screen remains open and flow is consistent without human intervention.

- - **Rotary Drum Screens (Rotomat Style):** This system automates the bar rack concept. A mechanically driven chain equipped with rakes continuously cycles over the screen face. The rakes engage with the bars from the bottom up, pulling debris out of the water and depositing it into a dumpster or conveyor at the top. This ensures the screen remains open and flow is consistent without human intervention.

These units are the multi-taskers of headworks. Installed directly in the channel (often at a steep angle), the system utilizes a rotating cylindrical basket to filter flow. As wastewater passes through the submerged screen, solids are trapped inside the basket. The drum's rotation lifts the debris out of the channel, where it is sprayed off into a central auger. This integrated screw conveyor doesn't just transport the waste; it washes, compacts, and dewaters the screenings as they travel upward, discharging a dry, compressed "cake" into a container. This effectively combines screening, washing, transport, and dewatering into a single, enclosed machine.

**The Importance of Screen Sizing**

There is no "one-size-fits-all" in wastewater. At **[Hayes Group](https://info.hayespump.com/request-a-quote)**, we emphasize that the **screen size (or bar spacing)** must be tailored to the specific collection point site.

Setting the correct screen size requires analyzing the type of solids typical for that site (e.g., municipal sewage vs. industrial runoff) and balancing the required flow rate with the necessary level of protection.

**Conclusion**

Solids are an inevitable part of wastewater, but equipment failure doesn't have to be. By choosing the right screening technology - whether a simple bar rack or an advanced Rotomat style unit - you protect your downstream investment and ensure reliable operation.

Not sure which screening method is right for your facility? The experts at **[Hayes Group](https://info.hayespump.com/request-a-quote)** are here to help you analyze your application and find the perfect fit. Contact us today to clean up your process.

[View full post](https://blog.hayespump.com/blog/removing-solving-the-problems-of-solids-in-wastewater)

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