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Lift Station Experience

South Campus Lift Station Improvements
University of Washington
Completed: 2016

The University of Washington needed to make improvements to the South Campus Lift Station to improve the functionality, ameliorate O&M activities, and facilitate improved lift station performance monitoring. The 400-square-foot wet/dry well lift station had pumps that were 40 years old and becoming increasingly more prone to ragging issues and reoccurring maintenance needs. RH2 prepared a preliminary design report and ultimately completed the design which included:

• Temporary, redundant bypass pumping: This facilitated replacing two existing wastewater pumps with three new pumps and the replacement of the existing motor control centers as necessitated by the replacement pumps.

• Replacement and reconfiguration of the existing piping and structural supports: This accommodated the replacement pumps and helped improve the station’s functionality.

• Installation of a magnetic flow meter: The addition of the flow meter improved the SCADA system functionality.

• Installation of a trolley crane: Allowed for pump lift out and periodic pump maintenance.

One of the key challenges of the project was the confined project site and the need to maintain sewage pumping capabilities for the collection system that served the surrounding campus buildings and medical center. The space constraints meant that a majority of the construction activities were limited to the interior of the below-grade lift station. By utilizing advanced 3D laser scanning technologies coupled with our in-house 3D design capabilities, we completed the final design with the confidence that all of the proposed improvements could be implemented within the tight constraints. The project was successfully completed on a fast-track design and construction schedule to meet the University’s financial deadlines.

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