Wastewater Pumping Systems and Lift Stations

Reliable and well-designed wastewater pumping facilities are essential for cities and sewerage systems across the United States. This course will provide you with valuable techniques and knowledge that you can apply immediately in your own systems and projects. This course will help you: 

• Manage, design, and operate reliable and cost effective pumping facilities and forcemains 
• Evaluate pros and cons of different station designs 
• Prevent hydraulic problems in pumps, wet wells, and forcemains 
• Improve station reliability 
• Understand electric motors and VFDs 
• Reduce problems in operation and maintenance 
• Select optimum pumping equipment, valves, and piping systems 
• Reduce your pumping energy costs 
• Upgrade and rehab your pumping stations for the future

• Wastewater engineers, operators, and managers
• Consulting engineers
• Federal agencies and military bases
• Regulatory staff

Pumping Station Types, Features, and Design Considerations 

• Types of stations 
• Types of pumping equipment 
• Valves, fittings, forcemain piping 
• Screening systems and grinders 
• Ventilation and odor control 
• Emergency power, generators 
• Station layout and geometry 

 Pumping Equipment 

• Drywell and submersible pumping equipment 
• Shafts, bearings, mechanical seals 
• Impellers, casings, wearing rings 
• Pump characteristics and performance curves 
• NPSH, cavitation, and other pump problems 
• Electric motors 
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
• Control systems 

 Applied Hydraulics and Selection of Pumping Units 

• Peak flow selection 
• Computing system head curves 
• Force main sizing 
• Pump selection 
• Energy usage, power demand 
• Pumping in parallel or series 
• Affinity laws 
• Variable speed vs. constant speed pumping 
• Wet well and storage considerations 

 Design Workshops 

• Analyze flow data 
• Select design parameters 
• Develop system curves 
• Select pumping equipment 
• Critique alternative layouts 

 Other Topics 

• Operation and maintenance challenges 
• Air valves in forcemains 
• Waterhammer protection: When and where do you need it? 
• Station rehabilitation projects 
• Special problems in wastewater pumping 
• Other topics as requested 

 Problem-Solving Exercises 

• Attendees will participate in problem-solving exercises that will help them to understand key aspects of wastewater pumping systems and lift stations. 

"A terrific course. Best I've ever had."

"A fantastic course! A must-attend for all that are planning, designing, or operating a sewage pumping station."

"I will be applying what I learned almost immediately when I get back to the office."

"Well done workshop. Put together superbly."

"I've never seen a better technical speaker. It's one thing to present material to college kids, and quite another to present design concepts to PE's with 25 years of experience and O&M personnel with the same. Ned did a masterful job."

Adib Amini

Adib Amini, Ph.D., PE, ENV SP, BCEE serves as Program Director in the College of Engineering’s Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, with a focus on Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Sustainability. Dr. Amini also works with cities and industries as an engineering consultant, with experience in both drinking water and wastewater treatment. Dr. Amini has expertise in sustainability, engineering design, technology innovation, and renewable energy. Dr. Amini’s work has included the design of novel technologies, including on-site energy systems at facilities. He spearheaded the designs for the first wastewater treatment facilities in Iowa that are 100% powered by on-site renewable energy systems. Dr. Amini invented a novel system for ventilation of rated spaces, such as wastewater headworks buildings, for which he holds a provisional patent. Dr. Amini also has performed award-winning research in technology innovation and sustainability. Dr. Amini has spoken widely at conferences on topics related to water/wastewater treatment, sustainability, PFAS, on-site energy systems, and resilient infrastructure.

Chelsea Lambert

Chelsea Lambert is a water and wastewater project management for municipal and industrial clients. She has a degree in Environmental Engineering from Louisiana State University. Chelsea specializes in wastewater systems, pipeline and treatment design and pump station rehabilitation. As a water/wastewater engineer for Stanley Consultants, Chelsea handles project design, daily operations and client relationships, with effective communication and project delivery. She manages the full lifecycle of wastewater treatment projects, from planning and design to construction, collaborating closely with clients to meet their specific needs. Chelsea also conducts engineering evaluations, prepares reports and presents findings to stakeholders. Additionally, she develops construction drawings, technical specifications and sets office standards for wastewater assessments. Throughout her career, Chelsea has conducted comprehensive feasibility studies, network modeling and planning and design for both municipal and industrial projects.

Chris Suomi

Chris Suomi is the Central District Manager for Gorman-Rupp Engineered Systems Division.  As a District Manager, Chris provides a wide range of duties including assisting distributors and customers with product sales and applications of Gorman-Rupp products.  Chris has conducted numerous pump hydraulics training courses throughout the Midwest with state water and wastewater organizations, municipalities, and college seminars.  Chris has a degree in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Tech University and has over 25 years of experience in the water and wastewater field in consulting engineering, and application engineering prior to joining Gorman-Rupp in 2011.

Scott Trotter