A municipality has an outdated wastewater lift station. Pumps are advancing towards the end of their service life, and controls need modernization and the access hatch should be replaced. Yet the concrete wet well is robust and solid.
Image credit: romtecutilities.com
Should the station be destroyed? Not necessarily. It is more important to inquire if the system that is in place will be able to support modern pumps without compromising future capacity in terms of reliability, reliability, or access.
Retrofitting an existing pump station can be a fantastic way to maintain infrastructure and replace parts which are no longer in use.
Start with the Structures Nobody Will Want to Replace
The wet well is often one of the more expensive and disruptive parts to replace, as it’s hidden, connected to the existing piping, and vital to the collection of wastewater.
Intentionally retaining the concrete structure could help in reducing excavation work and construction.
The degrading of the area surrounding the access hatch may make this difficult. Romtec Utilities has identified wet-well hatch replacement as an important retrofit. Instead of affixing a fresh hatch to a damaged concrete structure, replacing the entire top slab could provide a more durable solution. This approach can improve access and enhance the utility of the structure without re-building the entire wet well.
The development of a more powerful pump is distinct
Imagine a neighborhood that has seen a significant increase in population since the lift station’s initial installation. The current pumps might no longer provide sufficient capacity to handle the increased flow of wastewater.
An upgrade to the pumping station could require higher horsepower pumps, but equipment selection cannot happen independently of the system in which it is located. The more powerful pumps could require changes to elbows for discharge, pipes, valves, electrical controls and other elements.
Engineers must also evaluate the hydraulic requirements of the system, including the flow rate and the total dynamic head. A larger pump installed without reviewing these conditions can create operational problems rather than solving the issues. The ability to plan future capacity at the time of initial design makes future expansion considerably easier.
Make sure that the Wastewater is moved during Construction
A wastewater pump station retrofit introduces a challenge that ordinary equipment replacement projects may not face: the station may need to remain operational throughout construction.
Contractors are still working, and wastewater continues to come in. In the case of the project the temporary bypass pumps could be required to keep operation during the removal and installation of the existing equipment.
Romtec Utilities tackled this type of problem in the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center located in Brunswick, Georgia.
The project required the replacement of two older wastewater lifting stations, whilst maintaining operation at this facility. Site-specific engineering packages, replacement systems for packaged equipment, and bypass pumping strategies helped adapt to the station’s footprints as well as operational needs. This illustrates why the construction sequence should be considered prior to installation.
If you think replacement is the better alternative
There are many stations that can be restored. Sewer lift stations might have to be replaced for a damaged or insufficiently functioning wet well. structural capacity.
Before making a decision it is crucial to take into consideration the structural condition of the building, its compatibility with equipment, its accessibility to construction, the continuity of services and long-term needs. Romtec Utilities begins retrofits and replacements by identifying parts to be left in place and those which need replacement.
From there, the business creates engineering solutions that are specific to the site, preliminary designs, and budgetary estimates. Prefabricated parts are a great way to simplify installation and decrease construction on site.
The project won’t be finished until the pumps are turned on
Modern lift stations should be operated as a system in one. Prior to returning the lift station to service, testing its startup and commissioning will help ensure that the pumps, controls as well as other equipment are operating in accordance with the approved design.
Training for operators and operation and maintenance manuals are equally crucial. Maintenance personnel should be familiar with new equipment and operating procedures, in addition to the documentation before they take responsibility for the station.
A successful retrofit helps preserve structures that are still useful as well as addressing the weaknesses which led to the need for modernization.
For municipalities and facility owners This means looking beyond immediate repairs. The best projects integrate new equipment into existing structures, and ensure that essential service is maintained even while construction is in progress. They also prepare the pumping system to keep in operation for a number of years.