Hutchinson Lift Station Standardization
The City of Hutchinson operates and maintains several
lift stations with a variety of equipment and configurations among them. Lift station equipment requires routine maintenance due to the harsh
environment in which it is located. In the past, the City has handled the equipment replacement and rehabilitation in each lift station separately as needed.
As a result, there are several different manufacturers of pumps, controls, and ancillary equipment across the system, even when the lift stations may have similar
operating characteristics.
Rather than approach each lift station separately as had been done, Nero completed a comprehensive study of the existing conditions including modeling the forcemain hydraulics for each lift station. Lift stations were divided into groups of similar hydraulic conditions so the same pump could be used in several locations to allow for easier maintenance and more efficient operations. In addition to the pumps, the condition of the controls, valves, and ancillary equipment was examined and rehabilitation projects were prioritized based on these assessments. The standardization of all equipment and a plan for implementation over ten years was the final result of the study.
Rather than approach each lift station separately as had been done, Nero completed a comprehensive study of the existing conditions including modeling the forcemain hydraulics for each lift station. Lift stations were divided into groups of similar hydraulic conditions so the same pump could be used in several locations to allow for easier maintenance and more efficient operations. In addition to the pumps, the condition of the controls, valves, and ancillary equipment was examined and rehabilitation projects were prioritized based on these assessments. The standardization of all equipment and a plan for implementation over ten years was the final result of the study.