A pump station that’s old shouldn’t be forced to cease functioning to become a cause for concern. It can still transfer the water and wastewater daily but struggle to meet periods of high demand, need frequent maintenance or rely on control systems that are getting harder to support. Although the equipment is still in use the original design may not be adequate for today’s conditions.
Recognizing this difference is important for municipal officials, developers and facility managers in planning improvements to infrastructure.
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The equipment that fails isn’t the sole issue
The retrofit of a water liftstation should begin by assessing the entire system, and not just the pump. Engineers need to evaluate the water well, mechanical components and electrical components, as well as controls, discharge piping and the requirements for current pumping.
The condition of a wet well is extremely important. If its structure is in good condition it is feasible to keep it in place in the process of replacing old equipment. Costs of construction can be reduced as compared to constructing a new station. However, retaining existing infrastructure only makes sense when it can support the plans for improvements.
The area of service has been changed.
A former wastewater plant could be serving additional residential, industrial or commercial buildings.
These changes can alter flow rates and operational demands. Successful lift station rehabilitation therefore requires more than restoring the original specifications of the equipment. Engineers should evaluate the current and anticipated flows, as well as the equipment’s capacity and performance.
The solution is not always to get a larger pump. New equipment should work with the existing system of piping as well as wet wells, electrical supply, controls and so on. When one part is upgraded it could cause problems with the other components.
Stormwater retrofits are a different matter.
A stormwater pump station retrofit involves additional considerations since runoff is subject to change with rainfall and surrounding development. Stations that are part of detention basins may have different patterns of inflow than those that get water from storm drains. Any changes to drainage infrastructures like new pavement or expanded parking lots, can affect the frequency and quantity of water that can be allowed to flow into the station.
Before recommending a stormwater station upgrade, engineers should review the contributing drainage area, expected peak flows, storage capacity, discharge conditions, and existing pump performance.
These results help determine if equipment modernization will be sufficient or if the station is in need of more extensive reconstruction.
Plan Construction Before Interrupting Service
One frequently overlooked issue is how the current station will function during the rehabilitation. The wastewater system is generally not taken offline without arrangements to ensure that flow control is maintained.
The construction process may involve the installation of temporary bypass pumps, or replacing infrastructure adjacent to the operating station.
Stormwater projects also require careful scheduling due to the fact that the system could be required during unplanned rain. A comprehensive engineering plan should include installation sequencing, temporary operations, integration of equipment and commissioning, not just the replacement components.
Making the system more user-friendly to use
Romtec Utilities is a provider of engineering services for sites supplies and solutions for stormwater and wastewater Pumping Applications.
Its retrofit approach evaluates which structural, mechanical, electronic, and communications components should be left in place, and which will require replacement. The company also offers preliminary designs and budgetary estimates to help project owners assess their alternatives.
After installation, the testing of startup the system, commissioning it, training for operators and maintenance records help to ensure that the upgraded station performs as per its specifications. The successful rehabilitation projects will give operators a simple-to-maintain system.
Upgrade the System, Not Just Its Age
It’s not essential to replace an old pump station. There are some structures that have years of reliable service, even if their mechanical and electrical equipment needs modernization. The key is to identify what can be safely and efficiently retained while ensuring the station meets current as well as future needs.
Owners can make better investment decisions by studying the conditions of operation, structural integrity and hydraulic requirements together.
The goal of upgrading an old station is not to just make it function again. It’s to ensure that the new system is ready to handle the challenges ahead.