Restoring Reliability to a Failed Wastewater Pumping Station on a New‑Build Development - Aqua-Tech | Water Sector Technical & Recruitment Solutions

Case Study

Restoring Reliability to a Wastewater Pumping Station on a New‑Build Development

Cala Home‘s Maidenhill 2 wastewater pumping station was experiencing persistent operational failures, resulting in flooding, foul odors, and blockages that impacted local residents. Aqua-Tech was engaged to diagnose and resolve the issue, ensuring reliable wastewater management for the development.

Objective

Identify the root cause of the pumping station malfunction. Restore full operational capacity of both pumps. Implement a safe and compliant repair process in a hazardous environment.

Challenge

Continuous flooding and backups within the pumping station. Complaints from residents due to odors and blockages. Live sewage environment requiring strict health and safety measures. Confined space entry needed for repair work.

Investigation & Findings

Initial inspection: Both pumps were lifted and serviced, ragging removed, and pumps tested on-site. Pump A restored to full functionality, Pump B produced no flow. Root cause: A blown coupling on Pump B’s riser line inside the wet well caused all flow to recirculate into the wet well.

Solution Implemented

Confined space man-entry was required to repair the damaged coupling. Safety measures included cleaning and disinfecting the wet well, deploying a certified confined space entry team, using gas monitors and rescue sets, preparing risk assessments and method statements, and issuing controlled permits.

Outcome

Pump B coupling successfully repaired. Both pumps restored to full operational capacity. Flooding and odor issues resolved, ensuring reliable wastewater management for residents.

Lessons Learned

Regular inspection and maintenance of riser lines are critical to prevent coupling failures. Confined space operations require meticulous planning and adherence to safety protocols. Collaboration between specialist teams ensures efficient resolution of complex issues.

“Aqua-Tech has seamlessly fit into our project team, quickly becoming an indispensable part of the process. They’ve taken a lot of our headaches away by managing the technical complexities and ensuring everything aligns with our client’s expectations.”