A disused wastewater liftstation can be located in a township. The pumps are at the end of their life expectancy The controls are old as well as the access hatch has damaged. However, the concrete wet well is robust and solid.
Do you think the station should be demolished and rebuilt? Not necessarily. It is more important to ask if the infrastructure that is in place will be able to support the modern pumping system without compromising future capacity in terms of reliability, reliability, or access.
Image credit: romtecutilities.com
Retrofitting a pumping station can be an excellent way to maintain infrastructure, and also replace parts which are no longer in use.
Start with the Structures That Nobody Wants To Replace
The wet well is typically one of the more expensive and disruptive parts to replace since it is submerged, connected to existing piping, and vital to the collection of wastewater.
Retaining a concrete structure that is functional can minimize the digging and construction.
However, deterioration around the access hatch could complicate the decision. Romtec Utilities says that wet well hatches are typically replaced in retrofits. It is possible to be more durable to replace the top slab instead of attaching a new hatch to a deteriorated concrete. This method can be used to increase access and improve the structure’s usability without the need to replace the entire wet well.
A more powerful pump alters the Engineering
Suppose a residential neighborhood has exploded in size since the initial lift station was constructed. It’s possible that pumping system is no longer adequate to handle the increase in flows of wastewater.
The upgrading of a pumping system could be accompanied by higher horsepower equipment, however this isn’t possible without considering the entire system. More powerful pumps may need adjustments to discharge elbows, piping valves, electrical controls, and other components.
The engineers must also assess the hydraulic requirements of the system. This includes the flow rate as well as the dynamic head total. A larger pump installed without checking these parameters can cause operational problems rather than solving the issues. The ability to plan future capacity prior to designing the initial design makes expansion later easy.
Make sure that the waste water is flowing throughout construction
Retrofitting wastewater pumps is a unique problem that is not encountered in other construction projects. The station may need to be operational throughout construction.
When contractors aren’t busy and preparing for the next project, wastewater is still arriving. Depending on the project the temporary bypass pumping might be necessary to keep operation while the existing equipment is taken away and new components are erected.
Romtec Utilities faced this kind of issue at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia.
The project consisted of replacing two of the old wastewater lift stations in the meantime, and maintaining the operation of the facility. The site-specific engineering as well as packaged systems and bypass pumping techniques made it possible to meet existing station footprints as well as operational needs. This case illustrates how important it is to look at the construction process before constructing.
When replacing becomes the best alternative
There are many stations that can be rehabilitated. A severely deteriorated wet well, inadequate structural capacity, or major changes in hydraulic requirements may make sewer lift station replacement more appropriate than modifying the existing installation.
It is important that the decision made takes into account structural factors the compatibility of equipment and construction accessibility, as well being long-term operational needs. Romtec Utilities begins retrofits and replacements by identifying elements that are to remain and those which need replacement.
From there, the firm creates engineering solutions for specific sites initial designs, as well as budgetary estimates. Prefabricated components are also beneficial to organize installation and reduce certain requirements on site.
The project won’t be finished until the pumps begin to run.
The modern lift station must work as a whole. Before returning the lift station back to service, testing the startup and commissioning tests will ensure that the pumps, controls as well as other equipment work in accordance with accepted specifications.
The manuals as well as the training of operators are equally crucial. Prior to taking over the responsibility of the station, personnel responsible for maintenance must know about the latest equipment, procedures, and documentation.
A successful retrofit helps preserve structures that are still useful and addresses the shortcomings which led to the need for modernization.
For facility owners and municipalities This means looking beyond immediate repairs. The most effective project is one that integrates the new equipment with existing structures, provides essential service during construction and also prepares the pumping system for years of continual operation.