Teamwork

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I’ve taken on a new hobby… roller derby!  I was looking for a hobby that would be physically and mentally challenging where I could meet new, like-minded people as well as give back to my community. I figured that helping to start a league in my home town that was a non-profit organization would meet all of my goals for a hobby. So, how does this relate to teamwork at Romtec Utilities?

During derby practice this week, we practiced teamwork through communication. On the rink, a derby team has to be in constant communication to support each other and help keep everyone safe. Today, I realized that the Romtec Utilities staff has worked hard over the years to incorporate these same ideas into how we work together. Although our staff is spread over a few buildings, we have set up processes to keep the communication flowing.
A great example of this is how we handle pump station design changes. When we receive written or verbal comments from our customer, our documentation manager creates a “response document” that starts with a restatement of the comments or questions.

The response document is then delivered to the engineering department for answers. If the comments direct us to make changes, the engineering department updates the design drawings and the bill of materials and fills out a Design Change Form. This Form and the answers are sent back to our documentation manager, who finalizes our response letter and notes in the letter if any of the comments have created price changes.

The documentation manager takes the updated drawings from engineering and revises our Scope of Supply and Design Submittal. She then forwards the completed Design Change Form to operations for a revised quote (or change order if a purchase order has been received), and to the purchasing/production department if any of the system components are being purchased or manufactured. If there is a change order, operations forwards this change order to the accounting department to update any purchase orders.

It is amazing how one form keeps everyone in the loop and on the same page! The end result is an efficiently revised design and price that heads back to the customer is as little as one day.

Electrical Connection Methods in Wet Well Design

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Electrical Connection Methods in Wet Well Design

In pump station system design, it is common for some aspects of the electrical design to be given less than adequate attention.  This article focuses on electrical connection methods. Specifically, the designer must consider the connection of electrical equipment inside the underground wet well to the above-ground electrical control system.   In wastewater pump stations, the wet well is classified as a hazardous area, due to the potential build-up of explosive gas. Egress of electrical cables from the wet well can be tricky business, since there are a variety of ways to run the cables and make electrical connections. Romtec Utilities has devised three methods for electrical connection; direct connection, above-ground junction box and below-ground junction box.

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The Ground Has Been Broken – Suncadia

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Romtec Utilities has opened it’s doors to a whole new side of our pump station scope of work. In March, 2010 Romtec Utilities added a construction/installation branch to our vast pump station industry. Suncadia, LLC in Cle Elum, Washington was our first construction/installation project, and a very successful first project. Suncadia Resort, with its breathtaking views of the Washington Cascades, asked Romtec Utilities to design and build a 10ft diameter by 16 1/2ft deep pump station with a valve vault and pig launcher ( for flushing objects out of the 8 inch forced main ).

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Hazardous Area Classification for Pumping Stations

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One of the first, (and most important consideration) in system design is area classification.  Area classification, will at a minimum, dictate the required components necessary to meet code.  NFPA 820 along with NEC defines the classifications for Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities.  It is important to note NFPA 820 covers “Pumping Stations” which is a broad term and is inclusive of most waste water pump systems.  For this reason NFPA is pertinent in nearly all in ground waste water pumping systems.

In general, residential collection systems serving 5 or less dwelling units are “Unclassified” and thus fire and explosion hazard is not applicable.  NEC still applies for general guidance in these systems.  For systems larger than 5 residential units sewers are categorized by usage type. Read more

Fish Love Pump Stations

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Romtec Utilities supplies, designs and installs waste water and storm water pump stations.  Wastewater is generated by homes, industry and schools.  Storm water runoff occurs when rain fall or snowmelt flows over parking lots and across driveways. The wastewater picks up everything in its path, eventually flowing into rivers and streams.  Stormwater runoff is hazardous to fish and other aquatic life.

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Developers – Romtec Utilities is your hassle free answer to pump stations!

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Before the recession, Romtec Utilities built lots of pump stations for developers.  Folks building pump stations these days are more often municipalities, public agencies, and private companies that need pumping systems for industrial situations.  However, as the housing market regains its strength and developers start building more homes, it is highly likely that they will need pump stations.  Why?  Well, most of the land that “slopes” to central wastewater treatment facilities has been built on.  These new developments often require some type of “lift” to get the wastewater from the homes to the treatment plant.

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