Replacing an Aging Lift Station Without Creating a New Infrastructure Bottleneck

The efficiency of a lift station can be established long before it is an actual concrete structure that includes pumps, piping and valves. The design of the final lift station is influenced by a variety of variables which include the calculation of flow, elevations on the site, system pressures water characteristics, peak conditions maintenance access, control systems and the future capacity.

The primary question important for the project’s owners to ask when comparing the best lift station design firms is not who will design the pumps. It’s not about who can make pumps specific however, but who can translate the operating requirements and site conditions into a system that’s feasible to construct and operate as well as maintain.

Image credit: romtecutilities.com

Gravity Has Limits

Gravity is by far the most efficient method to move wastewater. However the development patterns and terrain do not always work for this method. It is possible that the new industrial, residential and commercial sites are too far, or too high. They could also be located in areas where gravity sewer extension is not feasible.

Lift stations can supply the mechanical force required to move water from one location in the system of collection to another. It is important to consider the operating conditions that are normal and those that are not as suitable, such as highest inflows, pump maintenance and equipment breakdown, as well as the possibility of future increases in demand.

Companies considered among the best wastewater designers should therefore evaluate the entire conveyance problem rather than treating the station as an isolated piece of equipment.

Existing infrastructure can complicate the puzzle

The problem is not the construction of new structures. While maintaining essential wastewater infrastructure, municipalities often need to upgrade or replace old stations.

Existing infrastructure, like wet wells, force mains, control systems boundary lines for sites, as well as downstream infrastructure can restrict the design. Engineers must decide what is able to be left, what requires replacement and how the new components will be integrated into the existing system.

Romtec Utilities offers pumping solutions for private, municipal industrial, commercial and retrofit projects. Pumping systems can be adapted to meet the particular requirements of each project.

Stormwater is controlled by different rules

The most effective stormwater system design should utilize the search terminology to solve any hydrologic issue. Stormwater systems can experience dramatic changes in volume based on rainfall, drainage capacity and discharge rates allowed.

For example, a station that serves a detention site might need to hold the runoff for a while before pumping it out at a set rate. Engineers must consider the flow rate, head condition, the conditions of the environment, the flood-management objectives, as well as the specifics of the receiving drainage system.

Prefabrication can move work away from the worksite

Field assembly is a difficult process that could result in schedule conflicts, errors delays, and changes to orders. Romtec Utilities uses substantial prefabrication before bringing equipment to the project site.

When you complete more assembly and quality control tasks in a controlled manner You can cut down on the amount construction needed on the ground. Based on the approach to project management described by Romtec Utilities, some installations which would otherwise require weeks to complete could be reduced to days, dependent on the conditions of the project.

The process of commissioning is essential element of engineering Success

It’s not enough just to install all the components to a system to be deemed a tested one. Romtec Utilities is an installation advisor, and will be there to guide construction from beginning to end, including control panel check, pump operation, testing the system, as well as personnel training. The documents also provide details that operators could refer to when they maintain the system or contemplating expansion.

People who want to find the most skilled designers for lift stations must be aware of this last step. Engineering that is of high quality should yield more than an acceptable set of drawings. It should provide the owner with a working system and a skilled staff, as well as useful documentation, and equipment designed to meet the demands the station is expected to face in its daily operations.

Subscribe

Recent Post