Abstract: A system for treating wastewater and improving the quality of wastewater effluent by preventing solids from being discharged in the effluent is disclosed. Wastewater having a concentration of waste solids flows into a wastewater collection container through a waste-water inlet and solids are allowed to distribute into a lower horizontal sludge layer and an upper horizontal scum layer with a horizontal layer of liquid therebetween. A substantially upstanding elongate tube is immersed in the wastewater within the container and the interior of the tube is exposed to the horizontal layer of liquid through a plurality of inclined slots in the tube. Liquid flows from the horizontal liquid layer through the slots into the interior of the tube and thereafter through a liquid effluent outlet of the container. Preferably, the slots extend vertically along a majority of the depth of the wastewater in the container.

Abstract: A waste water collection and discharge system includes a buried waste water collection container which receives solid and liquid waste through an inlet. A dry vault located outside the container has a closable entryway which permits access to the vault from above ground. A pump which fits in the vault has an inlet which receives waste water from a fluid inlet tube that extends into the collection container, and an outlet which passes waste water through a fluid outlet tube to a remote collection site. A level sensor senses the level of the waste water in the collection container and initiates and terminates operation of the pump to maintain the level within predetermined limits. The pump, motor, level sensor and motor control system are interconnected into a unitary module which can be placed into and removed from the vault from above.