Critical infrastructure components that transport wastewater from lower to higher elevations in municipal collection systems. Reliable, efficient pumping solutions for continuous operation.
Lift stations play a critical role in municipal wastewater collection systems, transporting sewage from lower elevations to treatment facilities or higher collection points. These pumping stations must handle significant flow variations while maintaining reliable operation 24/7, often serving thousands of residents and businesses.
The role of lift stations extends beyond simple pumping - they serve as collection points that manage diurnal flow patterns, peak flow events, and emergency conditions. Proper design requires understanding flow characteristics, redundancy needs, and control strategies to ensure continuous service while minimizing energy consumption and maintenance requirements.
Collection chamber sized for flow equalization and pump cycling control
Duty/standby pump configuration with appropriate capacity and head
Pressurized discharge piping sized for velocity and friction losses
Automated operation with level control, alarms, and monitoring
Daily flow cycles with morning and evening peaks typically 2-3 times average flow
Annual patterns influenced by precipitation, tourism, and industrial activities
Extreme events requiring system resilience and backup capabilities
Population × 100 gpcd = Average Daily Flow (GPD)
Example: 5,000 people × 100 gpcd = 500,000 GPDAverage Flow × Peak Factor = Peak Flow Rate
500,000 ÷ 1440 min × 3.0 = 1,042 GPM peakPeak Flow × Growth Factor = Design Flow
1,042 × 1.5 (20-year) = 1,563 GPM designProper wet well design balances storage volume, pump cycling frequency, and detention time to optimize system performance and minimize odor generation.
For 500 GPM pump:
Working Volume = 500 × 20 = 10,000 gallons
Cycle Time = 10,000 ÷ 500 = 20 minutes on-time
If 50% duty cycle: 10 minutes off-time = 3 starts/hour ✓
Municipal lift stations require backup pumping capacity to maintain service during equipment failures or maintenance periods.
Automated control systems manage pump operation based on wet well levels while providing monitoring and alarm capabilities.
Select pumps to operate at or near their best efficiency point (BEP) during normal operating conditions.
Variable frequency drives (VFDs) enable pumps to match varying flow demands while reducing energy consumption.
Utilize wet well storage to shift pumping to off-peak electricity rate periods where possible.
| Pump Configuration | Average Power (kW) | Annual kWh | Annual Cost ($) | 20-Year NPV ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Efficiency | 45 | 394,200 | $39,420 | $487,000 |
| High Efficiency | 38 | 332,880 | $33,288 | $411,000 |
| VFD Controlled | 32 | 280,320 | $28,032 | $346,000 |
Assumptions: $0.10/kWh, 3% discount rate, 90% capacity factor
Our engineering team specializes in municipal wastewater infrastructure design. Get expert guidance on pump selection, wet well sizing, and control system design.