The efficiency of a lift station is assessed long before it’s an concrete structure complete with valves, pumps, and piping. The final design of a lift station is determined by a variety of variables, including flow calculations, elevations on the site, system pressures as well as wastewater characteristics, peak circumstances, maintenance access, control systems, and future capacities.
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For project owners comparing the best lift station designers, the more useful question isn’t simply who can specify pumps. It’s not about who is able to specify pumps instead, but who can translate operating requirements and site conditions into a design that’s easy to build and maintain.
Gravity Has Limits
Gravity is generally the most efficient method of transporting wastewater, however, the terrain and patterns of development don’t always cooperate. The newest commercial, residential and industrial developments are typically too high or far away from the gravity sewer system.
The lift station is the mechanism which transports the wastewater the next point of collection. Yet designing one requires understanding the operation of a normal system as well as other situations that are less convenient, like peak flow, pump maintenance, equipment failure, or any future growth in demand.
Companies that are regarded as among the top wastewater designers should therefore evaluate the entire issue of conveyance rather than considering the station as an isolated piece of equipment.
The current infrastructure makes the puzzle harder
The problem is not new construction. In addition to maintaining the essential infrastructure for wastewater municipalities frequently need to upgrade or replace old stations.
Existing wet wells, force mains electrical services, controls site boundaries, and downstream infrastructure can limit the design. Engineers need to determine what elements are recyclable or replaced, as well as what is required to replace them, and how the new components can be integrated into the current system.
Romtec Utilities works across municipal, private, commercial industrial, retrofit and replacement applications. This allows pumping systems to be developed to meet the unique operating and ownership requirements of each project.
Stormwater has different rules
The most effective designers of stromwater systems using the search terms provided must resolve a completely different hydraulic problem. Stormwater systems may experience significant fluctuations in volume based on the quantity of rain, drainage area capacities for detention and discharge rates.
A facility that serves a detention basin, for example could require holding the runoff indefinitely and then pump it away at a set rate. Engineers must take into consideration flow, head conditions, the requirements for environmental protection, flood-management goals, and the characteristics of the drainage system for which they are receiving.
Prefabrication is a way to move work From the Jobsite
The complex field assembly creates the potential for problems with scheduling, installation issues or change orders and delays. Romtec Utilities prefabricates equipment before it is delivered to project sites.
In a controlled atmosphere performing more assembly work and quality-control can reduce construction on the field. Based on Romtec’s approach to project management, certain construction projects which would normally require weeks to complete could be completed in a matter of days, based on requirements of the project.
Commissioning Is Part of Engineering Success
It’s not enough just to install all the components to a system to be considered a reliable one. Romtec Utilities is an installation advisor and will follow the process of construction from startup to control-panel checking, pump operation testing the system, and personnel training. Documentation is also provided to inform operators on how to keep the system running and also to consider expansion plans in the future.
Owners who are looking for the most skilled designers for lift stations should be aware of this last step. The final result of great engineering must be more than an acceptable set of drawings. It should provide the owner with a functional system and a skilled staff, as well as useful documentation, and equipment that is designed to meet the demands the station must face during normal operation.