Wastewater pumping station design—experiences of West of Scotland Water: project definition and development

Abstract

Many wastewater pumping stations ranging in size and purpose currently operate in West of Scotland Water (WoSW). In recent years substantial investment in large-capacity coastal pumping stations has been undertaken to transfer domestic sewage to treatment, limit storm spillage and hence comply with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) in terms of frequency of storm sewage discharge. In addition the requirement of the UWWTD to cease dumping of sludge at sea from December 1998 has meant transfer of sludge produced in the Glasgow area to a single sludge treatment centre located to the east of the city. This has meant the design and construction of a network of pumping mains and pumping stations across the city. The author has been responsible for the project management of several of the above schemes. This paper highlights and discusses some of the key areas of wastewater pumping station project definition and development, utilising experience gained from those projects. The paper initially discusses some of the factors influencing the development of a wastewater pumping station design. Then, using a case study, it gives examples of how these have been catered for.