Pump Station Perth
Pump stations are essential in situations where wastewater or stormwater needs to be raised from a lower elevation to a higher one for proper flow.
At the heart of a pump station is a wet well, a deep concrete chamber that houses pumps and temporarily holds the water (or sewage) being pumped.
In Perth, we construct robust pump station wet wells and associated concrete structures to help municipalities and industries manage water movement effectively.
Our pump station constructions are designed for strength and longevity, capable of withstanding the hydrostatic pressures of stored water and the mechanical forces from pumps, all while remaining watertight and safe.
Components of a Pump Station
A typical pump station in a sewage or stormwater context includes:
Wet Well (Pump Pit)
A vertical concrete chamber where incoming sewage or stormwater collects. Submersible pumps installed inside this pit then push the water out to a higher discharge point or treatment facility.
Valve Chamber
Often, a separate adjacent pit or chamber housing valves (like check valves and isolation valves) and sometimes flow metres, which control and monitor the pumped water.
Access Covers and Hatches
Strong, secure covers at the surface to allow maintenance crews to access pumps and valves. These must be trafficable if the pump station is located under a roadway.
Ventilation and Safety Features
Pump stations include vents for gases (in sewage systems) and internal ladders or platforms for safe worker access during maintenance.
Our team is experienced in constructing the concrete components of these systems, particularly the main wet well and any valve pits, ensuring they integrate seamlessly with the mechanical and electrical equipment.
Pump Station Construction and Installation
Building a pump station wet well is a complex task that we approach with careful planning and precision. We usually start by installing a precast concrete base (or pouring a thick base slab on-site) at the bottom of a deep excavation. This base often has features like a central sump or benching to guide solids toward the pump intake, and it includes embeds or anchors for mounting the pumps or guide rails. Next, we form the shaft of the wet well. Depending on the design, this could involve stacking large precast concrete shaft sections (sometimes 2 to 3 metres in diameter or more) or casting the shaft in situ using slip forms or jump forms for very deep wells. Openings for inlet and outlet pipes are incorporated into the wall at specified heights. We carefully seal around these pipe penetrations with non-shrink grout or rubber boots to maintain watertightness.
If a separate valve chamber is needed, we construct that as well, typically as a rectangular concrete pit adjacent to the wet well with its own heavy-duty cover. We coordinate the layout so that pipes from the wet well to the valve pit align perfectly. Throughout construction, maintaining roundness (for circular wells) and plumb, straight walls is important, as pumps and guide rails must fit correctly and operate smoothly. Once the concrete work is done and cured, we assist in installing access covers, guide rail brackets, and other embedded items as required by the pump supplier’s design.
Durability and Waterproofing
Pump station structures must be highly durable and completely water-tight. We use high-strength reinforced concrete, often 40 MPa or higher, to ensure the wet well can handle internal water pressure when full and external soil pressure when empty. To further guarantee water-tightness, we employ several strategies:
- Concrete Additives: We often include crystalline waterproofing admixtures in the concrete mix to reduce permeability.
- External Sealing: For below-ground structures, we can apply external waterproof membranes or coatings around the outside of the wet well to prevent groundwater ingress.
- Joint Seals: If the wet well is built from precast sections, we use rubber gaskets or hydrophilic waterstop strips at all joints, which swell to seal any gaps when in contact with water.
Inside sewage pump wells, the environment can be corrosive due to hydrogen sulfide gas. Thus, we can apply epoxy coatings or install PVC liners on the interior if required, to protect the concrete from chemical attack. All metal components (like ladder rungs or embeds) are hot-dip galvanized or made of stainless steel to resist corrosion. By building with these considerations in mind, our pump station pits remain structurally sound and leak-free over decades of service.
Why Entrust Us with Your Pump Station
Constructing a pump station requires a contractor who understands heavy civil works and can coordinate with mechanical and electrical teams. Our company has successfully completed pump station projects around Perth, earning a reputation for quality and reliability. We manage the critical excavation and shoring process safely, knowing that pump wells can be several metres deep. Our precise workmanship ensures that once the pumps, pipes, and control systems are installed, everything fits as intended without the need for rework. We also adhere to Water Corporation standards and local government requirements for pump station construction, meaning our work is fully compliant and built to code. When you entrust us with your pump station concrete works, you get peace of mind that the foundation of your pumping system is rock-solid, allowing the mechanical components to operate at their best.
For dependable pump station construction in Perth, contact us today. Call 0423 856 615 or email sales@impressiveconcrete.com.au to consult on your project and receive a free quote.
Experienced Sewer Manhole Installation
Constructing sewer manholes often involves deep excavation in potentially challenging ground conditions. Our crew is experienced in managing these complexities. We implement proper shoring or trench shields to keep the work area safe, and if groundwater is present, we use pumps or well-point dewatering to keep the site dry while we work. We coordinate with traffic management when manholes are built under roadways, ensuring minimal disruption to the public. After installation, we conduct quality checks like vacuum testing of the manhole to verify it is watertight before the project is completed. Our dedication to quality and safety has made us a trusted provider for sewer manhole construction in Perth’s residential subdivisions and municipal infrastructure upgrades alike.