Modern Pumping Today January 2025 - 28

PUMP SOLUTIONS
acquired separately. In contrast, submersible pump
systems necessitate additional elements such as a guide
rail assembly, pump lifting gantry, lifting chains or cables,
suction pipes, power cables, control panel, and the wet
well cover. Moreover, the installation of discharge piping
and valves, not to mention a valve vault and its cover to
encase them, further escalates the costs.
Operations and Maintenance Costs
The full life-cycle expenses of lift stations encompass
time and materials for maintenance and repairs, energy
efficiency, downtime impact, externally contracted
services, and depreciation based on the anticipated
lifespan of the equipment. Routine tasks like pulling a
pump to change a seal or impeller can be completed
in minutes by a single operator, without the use of
multiple operators, outside contractors or pricey pump
maintenance centers. This contributes significantly
to lower parts and O&M costs when compared
to submersibles.
submersible pump stations and thirty-two above ground
packaged systems from Smith & Loveless, all functioning
under similar conditions and applications.
The findings revealed that the above ground systems
yielded nearly 56% in total cost savings. This translated
to an average annual saving of over $2,700 per station,
culminating in almost $400,000 in savings for the city
during the span of the study. Perhaps the single most
dramatic part of the study's findings revealed that in the
twelve-year period, not one pump of the thirty-two above
ground pump stations required replacement, whereas
forty pumps needed replacement in the county's twentyone
submersible stations during the same time period.
A SENSIBLE CHOICE
Above ground lift stations are a sensible choice for many
small and medium-sized pump station applications.
These systems position the pump in a conveniently
accessible and dry area to simplify design, prolong
lifespan, and ease inspection and maintenance. By using
a pre-assembled, factory-tested solution, above ground
lift stations also guarantee straightforward, economical
installation. Moreover, the single chamber design ensures
a compact footprint, minimizing excavation costs, and the
above ground stations remove the risks and inefficiencies
associated with entering confined spaces for inspection
and maintenance.
By improving the accessibility of equipment, significant
safety challenges are eliminated, and costs are drastically
reduced without compromising the integrity of the
pump system. Increased reliability, efficiency, and
longevity provided by above ground systems guarantee
improved performance and operator safety, and reduced
financial spending.
A published, comprehensive twelve-year side-by-side
study by one municipal-county utility demonstrated the
life-cycle cost advantages of above ground lift stations
compared to their submersible pump counterparts.
Utilizing asset management software, the study
meticulously recorded all maintenance and repair
expenses for fifty-three duplex pump stations within
Wyandotte County's (Kansas) wastewater collection
system. This enabled a comprehensive analysis of the
operational and maintenance costs between twenty-one
28 | JANUARY 2025
MPT
As a pioneer of pumping systems for seventy-five years,
Smith & Loveless has spearheaded the innovation for above
ground pump systems, with continuing advancements in
the design and production of these stations. Designed
with a focus on robustness and a keen awareness of the
most pressing industry challenges, above ground lift
stations protect both operators and employers, and offer
lifespans that are significantly longer than submersible
pumps. It is, therefore, no surprise that operators
facing workforce challenges, flushables, and economic
pressures are increasingly turning to above ground pump
stations over conventional submersible pumps to meet
current and future demands. For more information, visit
www.smithandloveless.com.
WWW.MPTMAG.COM
http://www.smithandloveless.com http://WWW.MPTMAG.COM
Modern Pumping Today January 2025

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