The sewer lift station of an urban municipality is old. Pumps are nearing the end of their service life, and controls require modernization and the access hatch must be replaced. Even though the concrete wetwell is solid in its structure, it is in need of to be updated.

Should the station be completely demolished? Not necessarily. The more important question to consider is whether the existing infrastructure will be able to support the pumping system of modern standards without compromising reliability or future capacity.

Image credit: romtecutilities.com

A well-designed retrofit of a pump station can help preserve the infrastructure’s value while replacing parts that are no longer in compliance with operational requirements.

Begin with the structure nobody would like to replace.

The wet well is usually one of the most costly and disruptive components to replace, as it’s buried, connected to existing piping, and essential for wastewater collection.

Retaining the concrete structure may reduce excavation work and construction.

The degradation of the area surrounding the access hatch may cause problems with this decision. Romtec Utilities has identified wet-well hatch replacement as a crucial retrofit. Instead of affixing a hatch to cement that is degrading, replacing the whole top layer can be more durable. This technique can be utilized to increase accessibility and enhance the usability of the structure without needing to rebuild the entire wet well.

A better pump alters the design

Imagine a neighborhood which has experienced a significant expansion since the establishment of the lift station. Pumps that are in place may not be able with the growing flow of wastewater.

A pumping station upgrade could involve higher-horsepower pumps, but equipment selection cannot happen independently of the surrounding system.

Engineers must also consider the requirements for hydraulics of the system, which includes flow rate and dynamic head total. If you choose to upgrade a pump without evaluating these conditions, it can cause problems with operation rather than addressing the problem. Planning for future capacity when you are making the initial design phase can help later expansions to be much easier.

Check that the waste water is flowing during construction

Retrofitting a wastewater pump station introduces a challenge that ordinary construction projects for new equipment do not have to face: the pump station might require to be operational through the entire construction.

Wastewater continues arriving even when contractors are at work. According to the type of project an interim bypass pumping system may be required to keep services while existing equipment is taken away and new components are installed.

Romtec Utilities took on this kind of problem in the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Brunswick, Georgia.

The project involved replacing two older wastewater lift stations, while still maintaining the operation of the facility. The site-specific engineering packages, bypass pumping techniques helped accommodate existing station footprints as well as operational needs. This is a good example of how the order of construction should be considered prior to installation.

When replacing becomes the best alternative

Not every station is suited to be renovated. Sewer lift stations might need to be rebuilt for a damaged or insufficiently functioning wet well. capacity for structural strength.

The selection should consider structural integrity, equipment compatibility access to construction along with service continuity and long-term operating needs. Romtec Utilities starts retrofitting and replacing projects by identifying the elements that will remain and those that will need to be replaced.

The company will then create specific engineering plans for the site along with budget estimates and initial designs. Prefabricated components also aid in to organize installation and decrease some needs for construction on site.

The Project Doesn’t End When the Pumps Start

The modern lift station must be able to function as a system. Before returning the lift station to service, testing the startup and commissioning will help ensure that the pumps and controls as well as other equipment work in accordance with approved design.

Operator training and operation and maintenance manuals are equally crucial. Maintenance workers must be aware of the latest equipment, operating procedure, and documentation before taking responsibility for the station.

An effective retrofit will preserve structures that are still useful and addresses the shortcomings that led to modernization being necessary.

Municipalities and owners of facilities must be aware of the need for more than just immediate repairs. The most successful plan is one that integrates new equipment into existing structures, provides essential service during construction and also prepares the pumping system for years to come of operation.