A deteriorating pump station can be shut down before it’s in trouble. While it can move wastewater and stormwater daily, the pump station might struggle to meet peak demand. It might also require regular maintenance. The equipment works, but its original design may not accurately reflect the environment around it.

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The importance of recognizing this difference is for developers, municipalities and facility operators when planning upgrades to infrastructure.

The Equipment that Fails isn’t the sole issue

A wastewater lift station retrofit should begin with an assessment of the complete system, not simply the pump experiencing problems. Engineers need to evaluate the wet well, mechanical equipment as well as electrical components, control systems, discharge pipes, and current pumping requirements.

The condition of the wet well is crucial. If the structure is sound and in good condition, it could be feasible to keep it in place in the process of replacing old equipment. It may be cheaper to build the new station than you kept the existing one. It is essential to preserve existing infrastructure if the improvements can be made.

Has the Service Area been changed?

A former wastewater plant could serve additional residential, industrial or commercial buildings.

These modifications could affect the flow rate as well as operating needs. A successful rehabilitation of a lift station needs more than restoring original specifications for the equipment. Engineers must assess the flow rates and expected flows, as well as the equipment’s capacity and reliability.

The answer isn’t always a bigger pump. New equipment has to be compatible with the existing system of piping, wet wells, control systems, electrical supply etc. If you upgrade one component, it can cause problems with other parts of the system.

Priorities for stormwater retrofits to be different

Retrofitting an existing stormwater pumping station can introduce additional considerations due to the fact that runoff is influenced by the surrounding development and rain. Stations that are part of a detention basin may have different patterns of inflow than those receiving water through storm drains. A new asphalt surface, increased parking areas, or altered drainage infrastructure could alter the amount and time of runoff entering the station.

Before recommending a station for stormwater upgrade, engineers should examine the drainage area that is contributing to the project the anticipated peak flows storage capacity, discharge conditions as well as the performance of the existing pump.

The results of these studies can help decide the extent to which modernization of equipment is sufficient or if a facility requires more extensive reconstruction.

Plan Construction Before Interrupting Service

One of the most frequently ignored issues is how the station will function during rehabilitation. It is impossible to remove wastewater systems from operation without arranging for flow control.

Depending on the available space and project needs the construction could involve temporary bypass pumps or the installation of new infrastructure in conjunction with the operating station.

Stormwater projects also require a careful planning since the system might be required during unplanned rain. The engineering plan should include the installation sequence, temporary operations and equipment integration.

Making the final system easier to operate

Romtec Utilities offers site-specific engineering solutions and equipment for wastewater and stormwater pumps.

Retrofitting is a method that examines mechanical, structural, electric, and communications components to determine what can be left in place and which need to be replaced. The company provides owners with preliminary designs, estimates of budgets as well as project options.

Following installation, tests for startup and commissioning takes place in conjunction with operator training and documentation. Successful rehabilitation projects should provide operators with an easy-to-maintain system.

Upgrade your system, not just the system that is old

An older pumping station isn’t a guarantee to be completely replaced. Some structures may have years of reliable service, even when their mechanical and electrical equipment is in need of modernization. It is essential to identify the items that can be preserved safely and cost-effectively, while ensuring that the station’s finished product will meet future and current demands.

By looking at operating conditions, the structural integrity, hydraulic requirements as well as construction constraints owners can make more informed investment decisions.

It’s not about just making the old station operational. In order to ensure that the system is ready for future work it is essential to modernize the station.