The municipality has an old wastewater lift station. The pumps are at the expiration date of their useful lifespan, the controls require modernization, as well as the access hatch has become damaged. The concrete wet well is solid and structurally sound.

Should the station be completely demolished? Not necessarily. The more important issue is whether the current infrastructure can accommodate a new pumping system, without compromising the reliability, accessibility to maintenance and capacity.

Image credit: romtecutilities.com

The retrofitting of the pumping station well-designed can help save precious infrastructure and also replace components that no longer meet operating requirements.

Start With the Structure Nobody wants to replace.

The wet well is often one of the most expensive and challenging components to replace, as it’s submerged, connected to existing piping and is essential to wastewater collection.

If the concrete structure remains serviceable, retaining it may decrease excavation and construction work.

However, damage to the access hatch may complicate your choice. Romtec Utilities identifies wet well hatch replacement as a typical retrofit requirement. Instead of attaching a hatch to cement that is deteriorating replacing the entire top layer might be more durable. This approach can improve access and improve the functionality of the structure without having to rebuild the entire wet well.

A better pump alters the way engineers work.

Imagine that a residential area has grown significantly from the time of the first lift station installation. The existing pumps might not be able to deal 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 should also consider the hydraulic needs of the system. This is a consideration for flow as well as total dynamic pressure. Installing a larger pump without evaluating the situation could cause more problems than it resolves. The planning of future capacity at the initial design can allow for later expansion much more easily.

Keep waste water moving during construction

A retrofit of a wastewater pumping station poses a challenge which normal project for replacement of equipment may not have to face: the pump station might require to be operational throughout construction.

It is still a problem for wastewater to enter the system even while contractors are working. According to the scope of the project, temporary bypass pumps may be required to ensure operation during the removal and installation of existing equipment.

Romtec Utilities accepted this task in the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Brunswick, Georgia.

The project consisted of replacing two older wastewater lift stations in the process of maintaining operation at the facility. Specific engineering for the site as well as packaged replacement systems and bypass pumping strategies helped accommodate the station’s footprints as well as operational needs. The example illustrates why construction sequencing deserves attention before installation begins.

When the Alternative is the Best Choice

Not all stations are suited to be renovated. If the sewer lift station is in need of a replacement due to a badly deteriorated well, structural limitations or significant changes in hydraulic requirements, it might be more appropriate to replace the station rather than modify.

In making a decision, it is crucial to look at the structural health of the building, its compatibility with equipment, the accessibility to construction, service continuity and long-term requirements. Romtec Utilities begins retrofits and replacements by identifying parts that will remain as well as those that need to be replaced.

The company designs site-specific engineering solutions initial designs, as well as budgetary estimates. Prefabricated components can also help with installation and can reduce on-site construction requirements.

The work isn’t over when the pumps kick in

Modern lift stations must function as a system in one. Prior to returning the lift station to service, testing its startup and commissioning tests will ensure that the pumps, controls as well as other equipment are performing according to approved design.

Manuals as well as training for operators are equally important. Before taking on the responsibility of the station, personnel responsible for maintenance should be familiar with the latest equipment, procedures and the documentation.

Retrofitting infrastructure effectively preserves its value while solving the shortcomings that led to modernization.

This means that municipalities and owners of facilities must think beyond immediate repairs. The most successful initiatives are those that incorporate new equipment into existing structures and maintain essential service as construction progresses. They also make preparations for the pumping system to continue service for a long period of time.