A pump station that’s not in good condition doesn’t necessarily need to stop operating to be a problem. It might still be able to move water, or even stormwater, every day and yet be unable to cope with periods of high demand, need frequent maintenance or rely on control systems that are becoming difficult to sustain. The equipment is functional, but its original design might not be able to reflect the changing conditions surrounding it.
Planning infrastructure improvements is critical for city officials, developers, and operators of facilities.
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The equipment that fails isn’t the only issue
The retrofit of a wastewater liftstation should begin by assessing the entire system, not only the pump. Engineers must assess the wetwell, mechanical equipment and electrical components. They should also look at the discharge pipe and current requirements for pumping.
The state of a wet well is very important. It may be possible, when the structure is solid to preserve it and upgrade the equipment. This will reduce the amount of construction needed as compared to the construction of a new station. It is crucial to maintain the existing infrastructure even if improvements are possible.
Did the area of service change?
An old wastewater treatment plant may be serving additional homes, industrial buildings or commercial properties.
These changes may affect the rate of flow and operational needs. For lift stations to be properly rehabilitated, it’s not enough to revert back to original specifications. Engineers must assess the current and anticipated flows, as well as the equipment’s capacity and reliability.
It’s not enough to simply buy a bigger pump. The new equipment should work with existing piping, wet well, electrical supply, and controls. A mistake in improving one element can cause issues elsewhere.
Stormwater Retrofits Have Different Priorities
A retrofit of a stormwater pumping station adds more considerations as runoff patterns can alter dramatically as rainfall increases and the surrounding development. Stations that are part of a detention basin could have different patterns of inflow than those receiving water through storm drains. The addition of new pavement, larger parking areas or alterations to drainage infrastructure could alter the amount and time of runoff that reaches 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.
The findings will help you determine if the station needs to be renovated or whether modernizing the equipment is enough.
Plan Construction Before Interrupting Service
One of the most frequently ignored issues is how the current station will function during the rehabilitation. It is impossible to stop the wastewater system without making arrangements for flow management.
Construction may include installing temporary bypass pumps, or the replacement of infrastructure near the operational station.
The system could be necessary in the event of an unexpected downpour. The engineering plan must include the installation process along with temporary operations, equipment and integration.
Making the system more user-friendly to operate
Romtec Utilities is a provider of site-specific engineering, supply and solutions for Stormwater and wastewater Pumping Applications.
The retrofit strategy decides which electrical, structural, mechanical and communication components are required to be maintained and which ones need replacement. The company provides owners with preliminary designs, budget estimates and project options.
After installation, the tests of startup, commissioning and operator training are important to ensure that the newly renovated station operates according to its design. The successful rehabilitation process will leave the operators with a system they are able to maintain and understand.
Upgrade Your System and Not Just the Age
A pump station that’s older isn’t necessarily a candidate for complete replacement. It’s possible that structures will remain functional for many years, even if mechanical and electrical systems require modernization. The key is to identify the elements that can be efficiently retained while ensuring the station can meet current and future demands.
Owners are able to make better investment choices by examining the operating conditions as well as structural integrity and hydraulic demands together.
The objective of upgrading an old station is not to make it functional again. It’s to ensure that the new system is well-equipped for the future work.