Pumping stations are critical components in a wastewater collection system. To ensure that pumping stations meet the required standard for quality and reliability, it is recommended that municipalities establish design standards for developer projects.

By establishing design standards for developer projects, municipalities can ensure that pumping stations within their wastewater collection systems are built to the required standard for quality and reliability. This proactive approach helps prevent costly repairs, reduces the risk of system failures, and ultimately promotes the efficient and effective management of wastewater.

To maintain the integrity and effectiveness of these stations, municipalities should implement the following steps:

• Develop Design Guidelines: Municipalities should create comprehensive design guidelines specifically tailored to pumping stations. These guidelines should include technical specifications, engineering standards, and best practices that address various aspects such as pump selection, hydraulic design, structural considerations, electrical systems, instrumentation, and controls.
• Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: The design standards should align with local, regional, and national regulations and codes related to wastewater infrastructure. Compliance with these requirements ensures that pumping stations adhere to established safety, environmental, and performance standards.
• Design Review Process: Implement a design review process to verify compliance with the established design standards. Consulting engineers, municipal engineers, and operations personnel should review the design drawings, specifications, and calculations, submitted by developers to ensure they meet the required standards.
• Technical Expertise: It is essential to have qualified professionals, such as civil engineers or wastewater specialists, involved in the design review process. Their expertise will help evaluate the technical aspects of the pumping station design, including hydraulic analysis, pump selection, structural integrity, electrical system design, and control automation.
• Constructability and Maintainability: The design standards should consider constructability and maintainability factors. It is crucial to ensure that the proposed pumping stations can be constructed efficiently and are designed for ease of maintenance, including accessibility for inspection, repair, and equipment replacement.
• Inspection and Testing: Regular inspection and testing during the construction and commissioning phases are essential to verify that the pumping stations are built according to the approved design standards. This includes testing pumps, control systems, alarms, and emergency backup systems to ensure proper functionality.
• Documentation and As-Built Drawings: Developers should be required to provide comprehensive documentation such as operation and maintenance manuals and as-built drawings upon completion of the pumping station project. These documents serve as a record of the installed infrastructure and are invaluable for future reference, maintenance, and potential system expansions.

Envirep works with municipalities and their consulting engineers to create design standards for pumping stations. We discuss your specific needs and preferences for operation and maintenance, which includes enclosures, pumps, electrical controls, equipment access, monitoring systems, odor control, and more. Our goal is to ensure that you get reliable, efficient, and operator-friendly equipment.

Establishing pump station design standards has many advantages:

For Municipalities:

• Specifies a standard of quality and uniformity in pump station design
• Provides consistency and simplicity in operation and maintenance
• Lowers equipment life cycle costs
• Significantly reduces the size and complexity of spare parts inventory

For Developers:

• Provides clear expectations for design and equipment scope
• Expedites review and approval by the Municipality and their engineer
• Minimizes cost and lead time for design
• Prevents problems that may delay equipment turnover to the Municipality

Pump station design standards enhance operator training and familiarity with their systems. They provide consistent components across multiple stations, making operation, maintenance, and repair more manageable while improving safety and reliability. With well-defined design standards, everyone wins!

By Mike Gillespie, P.E., President at Envirep

For a complete list of our products, CLICK HERE to view our manufacturer’s line card.

Envirep/TLC is a leading manufacturer’s representative and service provider for municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment and pumping systems. We represent manufacturers of quality products, serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and part of West Virginia.

The Envirep staff of application engineers and field service technicians have decades of experience in equipment selection, design, operation, and maintenance. We are committed to providing our customers with prompt and professional service. We assist consulting engineers and end-users with technical support, from new plant design and plant upgrades to equipment replacements and service. Our experienced team is here to recommend the right product, part, and service for your application.