Learn to design, specify, and optimize lift stations—from flow estimation to pump selection and vault layout—for municipal and industrial systems.

Course Description

Lift stations are critical infrastructure elements in wastewater, stormwater, and raw water systems—used to convert gravity flow to pressurized flow. This hands-on course provides a comprehensive and practical overview of lift station design, equipment selection, layout strategies, and safety considerations.
You’ll learn about wet well sizing, pump configuration, inlet/outlet elevations, vault volume requirements, VFD control, and odor management. The course also addresses solids handling, pump maintenance, ventilation, safety protocols, and electrical system selection (VFDs, starters, backup).
Real-life design tips, standard practices, and case-based examples will give participants the confidence to design or evaluate lift stations for both small towns and large industrial projects.

Who Should Attend

Municipal Engineers | Wastewater Designers | Process and Mechanical Engineers | Utility Planners | Plant Operators | Facility Maintenance Managers | Technicians | Public Works Staff

Training Methodology

✔ Visual walkthrough of real lift station layouts

✔ Hands-on pump selection and vault sizing logic

✔ Troubleshooting hydraulic and mechanical issues

✔ Codes and safety standards integrated throughout

✔ Instructor-led exercises using standard design practices

Organizational Benefits

Design code-compliant and operator-friendly lift stations
Improve pumping efficiency and minimize solids settling
Enhance worker safety through good vault and hatch design
Select pumps, drives, and piping systems appropriate to the application
Lower OPEX by minimizing maintenance and optimizing flow control

What You Will Learn

✔ When and where lift stations are required

✔ Differences between wet-well, dry-well, and packaged systems

✔ Sizing wet wells and emergency storage based on flow cycles

✔ Inlet drop, submergence depth, and effective volume rules

✔ Selecting pumps: vertical turbine, submersible, and centrifugal

✔ How to size vaults for access, hatches, and operator movement

✔ Odor and ventilation system best practices

✔ Electrical aspects: VFDs, starters, backup power options

✔ Control strategies: pressure bands, duty/standby logic

✔ Safety considerations: confined space, ladders, fall protection

Seminar Outline (Highlights)

Lift Station Fundamentals • Purpose and types (WWLS, SWLS, RWLS) • Conversion from gravity to pressurized flow • Components: wet well, vault, pumps, controls
Wet Well and Vault Design • Effective volume and emergency storage • Vault dimensions, clearances, and hatch access • Submergence and NPSH for pump protection • Vault materials: concrete, FRP, plastic
Pump Selection & Layout • Vertical turbine vs. submersible vs. centrifugal • Pump curves, BEP, NPSH, parallel vs. series • Solids handling pumps (open impeller, recessed) • Minimum flow control, VFDs, and recirculation lines
Control, Safety & Operation • VFD control logic, starter options, setpoint tuning • Odor control, ventilation calculation • Fall protection: grates, ladders, safety nets • Pump removal: guide rails, davit cranes, lifting gear
Special Considerations • Risk mitigation and redundancy • Clarification of Canadian lift station standards • Design for storm surges and infiltration • Interaction with SCADA, alarms, and telemetry

Practical Takeaways

✔ Lift station layout examples

✔ Wet well sizing worksheet

✔ Lift Station design checklist

✔ Certificate of completion

✔ Post-course email support

Course FAQ

Q: Is this course specific to municipal systems only? 

A: No. It applies to any lift station—municipal, industrial, or stormwater-related.

Q: Does this include electrical and control system design? 

A: Yes. We cover VFDs, control logic, starter types, and system integration.
 

Q: Will I learn how to size vaults and wet wells? 

A: Yes. We walk through volume, spacing, and clearance requirements.
 

Q: What about odor and solids control? 

A: Strategies like grinders, screens, and agitation systems are included.

What Past Participants Say

— “Solid balance of civil, mechanical, and electrical design info.” – Utility Engineer
— “Finally understand the importance of vault sizing and pump selection.” – Field Technician
— “Great overview of all components—beyond just pumps.” – Municipal Planner
— “Easy-to-follow logic and practical design examples.” – Mechanical Engineer