Abstract Simultaneously with the social and economical transformations within urban areas, the operating and functioning conditions for all the components of water and wastewater systems have modified in a specific manner in each area. One important aspect of these changes is the adjustment of pumping stations operating parameters to the new water network demands so that the operating costs of these pumping stations achieve a sustainable level for the water companies. In this context, the paper presents the results recorded by upgrading and rehabilitating the pumping stations for an urban water network with a primary goal of diminishing the operation and maintenance costs and a secondary goal of reducing the water losses in the water distribution network.