On a Civil Plan, draw a box to identify an elevator station. It’s then easy to envision it as an independent part of the equipment.
The water comes in from somewhere, runs through the station and then moves on to another place. The facility also depends on power, controls access to the site structural components, and connections to surrounding infrastructure.
One thing that is beneficial to project teams who are trying to identify the best lift station designer is whether they take into account the interfaces, and not only what happens inside the station.
Image credit: romtecutilities.com
Begin Upstream of the Wet Well
Consider a new development of residential homes as an illustration. The waste water flows through the collection system to the lift station. The station’s capacity is determined by the inflow flow and elevation of the site.
After the water has reached the well, a new set of engineering choices are made. Valves, pumps, pipes controls, structural components and even the equipment used for auxiliary purposes must meet the needs of the project.
Romtec Utilities is a wastewater system designer who designs systems to meet the specific needs of each site, whether it be industrial, commercial, or municipal.
The project-specific approach is important because what happens downstream can affect the purpose of the pumping station.
Continue to follow the water out of the Pumps
The engineering problem doesn’t end after the liquid has left the well. The pumping system must be capable of pushing the liquid in line with the hydraulic conditions of downstream systems. Station design and pump selection are therefore influenced by the requirements for flow and head.
That connection is particularly important when it comes to evaluating the top wastewater design firms. The specifications of a pump can be amazing, but their performance must be rational within the whole hydraulic system.
Romtec Utilities is able to design all the elements that make up a pumping plant, including the structure and mechanical components, as well as the electrical and communication in a complete package. This helps coordinate the equipment needed for the project.
Stormwater has its own network of connections
Stormwater is a unique infrastructure challenge. Runoff can enter the system of collection via well-constructed surfaces and move on through treatment, detention or drainage infrastructure. The station serves as a link in the larger stormwater plan when pumping is required.
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 one configuration for each project.
Coordination Extends Above Ground Too
Some interfaces don’t require pipe. Electrical power is needed to support equipment. Control and communication systems need to be adapted to project requirements. Contractors need to have the proper plans and documentation. Physical access may be needed for startup, installation, and then later for service.
This could be a challenging project that requires multiple participants and disciplines, so an organized system documentation is crucial. Romtec Utilities can provide complete project plans and documentation in addition to assistance to its systems during beginning, testing and commissioning.
Take a look beyond the station’s Boundary
A lift station can be engineered correctly as an individual facility and still be part of a poorly coordinated project if the external connections weren’t given sufficient attention.
The water is a good design guide. Where does it originate? What conditions should it fulfill for it to be able to travel to the station? What should happen during its stay there? Where will it go afterward? What infrastructure is required to allow this process to run smoothly?
The answers to these questions change the design of lift stations from an easy equipment test into a complex infrastructure project.