The wastewater lift station of municipal facilities is outdated. The pumps are coming to the expiration date of their service life, the controls need modernization as well as the access hatch has become damaged. The concrete wet well is sturdy and solid.
Image credit: romtecutilities.com
Should the entire station be demolished and rebuilt? Not necessarily. It is essential to determine if the infrastructure in place can support a modern system of pumping without compromising capacity in the future as well as reliability or accessibility.
A well-engineered pump station retrofit can preserve vital infrastructure while replacing components that do not meet current operational requirements.
Begin with the Structures No One Wants To Replace
The wet well can be among the most expensive and difficult components to replace since it is hidden, connected to the existing piping, and essential to wastewater collection.
If the concrete structure is functional, it is possible to decrease excavation and construction work.
However, the deterioration around the hatch could complicate the decision. Romtec Utilities says that wet well hatches are usually replaced as part of retrofits. Instead of affixing a fresh hatch to a damaged concrete structure and replacing the entire top slab might make a more robust solution. This option can be utilized to increase accessibility and the structural’s functionality without having to rebuild the whole wet well.
The technology behind the pump with more power is distinct
Think about a community that has seen a substantial increase since the opening of the lift station. It’s possible that existing pumps are no longer sufficient to handle the increasing flows of wastewater.
The modernization of a pumping device could include more horsepower, but this isn’t possible without considering the entire system. Higher horsepower pumps might need adjustments to elbows for discharge, piping valves, electrical control, and other components.
Engineers should also assess the requirements of the hydraulic system, including the flow rate and the total dynamic head. A larger pump without considering the circumstances could cause more problems than it resolves. Planning for future expansions in the designing the initial design can allow for a much simpler process to build later.
Keep the Wastewater Moving 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.
Even when contractors are at work. According to the type of project the temporary bypass pumping might be required to keep the service until existing equipment is removed, and new components are erected.
Romtec Utilities embraced this challenge at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Brunswick, Georgia.
The project involved replacing two old wastewater lift stations in the meantime, and maintaining the operation of the facility. Specific engineering for the site, packaged replacement systems, and bypass pumping strategies helped make room for the station’s footprints as well as operational needs. The scenario illustrates why construction sequencing deserves attention before the construction process starts.
When replacement becomes the better Option
Each station is not able to be renovated. A severely deteriorated wet well structure that is not strong enough, or significant changes to hydraulic requirements might make a the replacement of a sewer lift station more appropriate than changing the existing structure.
The choice should take into account structural condition, equipment compatibility, construction access to the site, service continuity, and long-term operational requirements. Romtec Utilities begins retrofits and replacements by identifying the components that will remain as well as those that need to be replaced.
The company then develops engineering solutions specific to the site, preliminary plans as well as budget estimations. Prefabricated parts are a great way to organize installation, and reduce construction on site.
The Project Isn’t Finished When the Pumps Start
The modernized lift station should work as a whole. Before returning a lift station to normal service, restart tests, commissioning as well as verification of the equipment are essential to ensure that all pumps, controls, and other equipment are operating as designed.
Operator training and maintenance and operation manuals are equally crucial. Maintenance personnel should be familiar with the latest equipment as well as operational procedures, as well as the manuals before they assume charge of the station.
Retrofitting infrastructure is a great way to preserve its value, while also solving the shortcomings that led to modernization.
For facility owners and municipalities it is important to look beyond immediate repairs. The most successful projects are those that integrate new equipment into existing structures and continue to provide essential services while construction is underway. They also make preparations for the pumping system to continue operation for many years.