On a civil layout you can draw a box to indicate an elevator station. It’s then simple to imagine it as an independent part of the equipment.
Water arrives somewhere, flows through the station before it continues on to another location. It also depends on structural components such as power, control, and access to the site.
One aspect that could be beneficial to project teams who are trying to identify the best lift station design is to think about the interfaces as opposed to only what happens inside the station.
Image credit: romtecutilities.com
Commence upstream from the Wet Well
Consider a new development of residential homes as an example. The wastewater flows through the collection system toward the lift station. The site elevation and incoming flow conditions affect what the station can handle.
After the water has reached the well, a second set of engineering decisions are made. Valves, pumps, pipes, controls, structural components and even the equipment used for auxiliary purposes must meet the requirements.
Romtec Utilities engineers wastewater systems specifically designed for specific sites, including industrial, commercial, municipal and development.
The approach to the project is crucial since what happens downstream could alter the objectives of the pumping station.
Follow the Water beyond the Pumps
The engineering problem doesn’t stop after the liquid is removed from the wetwell. The pumping systems must be capable of pushing the liquid to meet the hydraulic requirements of the downstream systems. Required flow and head conditions determine the choice of pump and station setup.
This connection is crucial when you are evaluating the most effective wastewater design. The specs of a pump are impressive, however their effectiveness must be considered within the overall hydraulic system.
Romtec Utilities is able to develop all the components that make up the pumping plant, such as the structure and the mechanical, electrical and the communication, as a whole. This allows us to coordinate the equipment required for the project.
Stormwater Has Its Own Network of Connections
Stormwater is a unique infrastructure challenge. The runoff from the surface that is developed can get into an infrastructure to collect and then pass through detention, drainage, or flood management. The station acts as a link to the larger strategy for stormwater when pumping is needed.
For organizations searching for the best stromwater system designers, it is worth examining whether site conditions, flow rates, head requirements, environmental considerations, and the surrounding stormwater plan are evaluated together.
Romtec Utilities supplies customized stormwater pumping systems for residential, commercial industrial, and municipal projects, rather than relying on a single configuration for every project.
Coordination Extends Above Ground Too
Not all interfaces require pipe. Electrical service has to support the equipment. Control and communication equipment must match the specifications of the project. Contractors need to have the proper plans and documentation. In the case of installation, startup or later services, physical access could be required.
These connections may involve a variety of disciplines and project stakeholders, which makes an organized system documentation especially valuable. Romtec Utilities provides complete plan sets as well as associated documentation for projects and supports its systems by assisting with startup, testing and commissioning.
Look Outside the Station Boundary
If the external connections of a lift aren’t properly thought of, a well-engineered lift station could still be a part of it’s a poorly planned project.
A better design view will follow the water. Where does it originate? What are the conditions under which it will reach the station? What should it do while there? Where will it go? What infrastructure is required to allow this process to work?
The answers to these questions change the design of lift stations from a simple equipment exercise to a complicated infrastructure plan.