An aging wastewater liftstation is located in a township. Pumps are about to expire their useful lives, controls require modernization and the access hatch should be replaced. The concrete wet well is solid and structurally sound.
Should the entire station be demolished and rebuilt? Not necessarily. It is essential to consider whether the infrastructure is able to support modern pumps without compromising future capacity, reliability, or maintenance accessibility.
Image credit: romtecutilities.com
Retrofitting a pumping station can be a great way to save infrastructure and replace parts that are no longer functional.
Start with the structure that nobody wants to replace.
Wet wells can be the most costly and disruptive element to replace because they are underground and connected to existing pipes, and essential to the collection of wastewater.
If the concrete structure is in good condition, retaining it could minimize excavation and construction work.
But, any deterioration that occurs around the access hatch may complicate the choice. Romtec Utilities identifies wet well hatch replacement as a typical retrofit requirement. Rather than attaching a new hatch to the deteriorated concrete and replacing the entire top slab may provide a more durable solution. This technique can be utilized to increase accessibility and the usability of the structure without needing to rebuild the entire wet well.
A better pump alters the way engineers work.
Imagine that the area of residence has exploded in size from the time of the first lift station installation. The existing pumps may not be adequate for increased wastewater flows.
Pumps with greater horsepower can be used to upgrade a pumping station, but the equipment needs to fit within the system. Pumps that have higher horsepower might require adjustments to the discharge elbows and pipes as well as electrical controls, valves, and other components.
The engineers should also take into consideration the hydraulic requirements of the system, which includes the rate of flow as well as dynamic head total. Installing a larger pump without evaluating the situation may cause more issues than it solves. Planning for future capacity during the initial design can make later expansion considerably easier.
Ensure that the waste water is moving throughout the construction process
Retrofitting wastewater pumps is a unique problem that is not encountered in other construction projects. The station could need to be operational for the duration of construction.
Even while contractors are working. According to the scope of the project temporary bypass pumps might be required to keep services during removal and the installation of existing equipment.
Romtec Utilities faced this kind of challenge at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center located in Brunswick, Georgia.
The work involved replacing two older wastewater lift stations in the meantime, and maintaining the operation at the facility. The project was able accommodate the footprints of existing stations as well operating requirements using site-specific engineering and packaged replacement systems. This is a good example of why it is important to take into consideration the sequence of construction prior to installing.
If replacement is the best alternative, then replacement is the best
Not every station is suitable for rehabilitation. 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.
The decision should account for the condition of the structure, compatibility with equipment construction access along with service continuity as well as long-term requirements for operation. Romtec Utilities begins retrofits and replacements by identifying elements which are expected to stay and those that need to be replaced.
The company also develops engineering solutions specifically for the location, including preliminary plans as well as budget estimations. Prefabricated components can be useful for organizing installation and reducing certain on-site demands.
The Project Doesn’t End When the Pumps Get Started
A modernized lift station must function as a system in one. Before returning a lift facility to normal service, start-up tests, commissioning as well as verification of equipment are required to ensure that the pumps, controls and the related equipment function as designed.
Training for operators and maintenance and operation manuals are equally important. Maintenance staff must understand the latest equipment, operating procedures and other documentation before they take over responsibility for the station.
Retrofitting successfully preserves structures that are still useful as well as addressing the weaknesses which led to the need for modernization.
For facility owners and municipalities This means looking beyond immediate repairs. The most successful projects combine new equipment with existing structures. They ensure important services during construction and also prepare the pumping systems to run for many years.