Pumping stations and related elements (trash racks (Figure 9) or fixed screens, walls, deicing systems, traveling screens, sluice gates, screen well, pump bell and sump, conduit, pump, and skimmer boom) are susceptible to zebra mussel fouling. Occlusion of pipes, unbalanced flow, excessive loading of components, accelerated corrosion, and poor sealing or closures of gates/valves are problems related to zebra mussel infestations.
Control strategies for pumping stations consist of any of the following: frequent use of valves or other movable devices, mechanical cleaning, selective use of chemical treatment, antifoulant coatings, biocides, backflushing, and thermal treatments. Another effective strategy is to use a chemical treatment at the beginning or upstream end of the intake pipe. Such an application would eliminate infestations at the beginning of the pipe because zebra mussels are usually more dense here than at the plant itself.