Problem:

The Emergency Services District in El Paso, Texas, faced a critical challenge with their two conventional 5-horsepower submersible pumps in the wet well. The persistent issue of pump clogging, exacerbated by hazardous H2S gases corroding pump components, led to regular and costly downtime for maintenance. This recurring maintenance was crucial to sustain the facility’s functionality. Compounding the pump-related issues, manual intervention was required to operate the control panels due to malfunctioning floats. The unreliable power supply further disrupted operations, posing an additional challenge. The repairs were costly and disruptive due to limited workforce availability and prioritization of other critical projects. The new system has relieved the team from the burden of manual operation, providing a sense of ease and comfort in their daily tasks.

Solution:

The El Paso team strategically upgraded their operations by implementing the OverWatch® Direct In-Line Pump System. This comprehensive lift station overhaul involved the removal of the original basin, pumps, rails, and controls, making way for installing a fiberglass basin measuring 60″ by 10″. The OverWatch system was securely mounted on a 56″ diameter plate to mitigate vibrations. Incorporating individual discharges facilitated effective lockout and tag-out procedures while adding a bypass connection provided operational flexibility. A pivotal upgrade included the installation of a new control panel equipped with cellular capabilities.

The OverWatch duplex configuration, designed to reduce maintenance requirements through built-in redundancy, has had a significant impact. This configuration allows one OverWatch unit to manage the entire facility’s flow, eliminating issues related to H2S gases, odor, manual operation, and routine maintenance. The elimination of routine maintenance has significantly reduced the workload, providing a sense of relief and improved work-life balance for the facility team.