Gravity is inescapable, but it’s not always enough to convey wastewater.

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority was formed in 2008 by merging the sewer and water systems of New Hanover County and Wilmington, North Carolina. Local terrain provides little relief, and the authority’s robust pump station crew is leading the charge to ensure that wastewater is effectively conveyed throughout the system.

Both systems had experienced sanitary sewer overflows prior to 2008...