Upgrading Our Infrastructure: Wastewater Lift Station Replacements

Published on September 28, 2023

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Upgrading Our Infrastructure: Wastewater Lift Station Force Main Replacements  

The City's wastewater system is often taken for granted, but underground there is a complex network of pipes, lift stations, and force mains that work diligently to transport sewage to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Over time, these vital components age and degrade naturally, requiring upgrades to ensure their safety and continued reliability. 

Force mains play a crucial role in efficiently transporting sewage from areas with lower elevations to treatment or discharge points, ensuring the proper functioning of municipal wastewater systems even in areas with challenging terrain. Proper design, construction, and maintenance of force mains are essential to prevent system failures and protect public health and the environment.  

About the System  


  • Lift stations are typically located at low points in the sewer system where gravity alone cannot carry sewage to its intended destination. When wastewater or sewage accumulates in these low-lying areas, it flows into a collection basin within the lift station.  


  • Pumps: Inside the lift station, there are one or more pumps. These pumps are responsible for lifting the sewage from the collection basin to a higher elevation. They create the necessary pressure to overcome gravity and push the wastewater uphill.  

  • Force Main: Once the sewage is pumped out of the lift station, it is transported through a pressurized pipe called a force main. This pipe carries the wastewater under pressure to a point where it can flow downhill again by gravity.  

The Project  

The Wastewater Lift Station Force Main Replacements project isn't a small endeavor. It involves replacing existing cast-iron force mains, ranging from 59-74 years old, with new PVC and/or HDPE force main connections. Additionally, all valves, fittings, and appurtenances will be upgraded, ensuring the system's optimal performance for years to come.  

The project spans several lift stations positioned throughout our City:  

  • Lift Station 1: Located at Edgewater Drive at Florida Ave. to Lyndhurst St.  
  • Lift Station 2: Located at Edgewater Drive at President St.  
  • Lift Station 4: Located on San Jose Drive at Santa Barbara Dr. to San Salvador Dr.  
  • Lift Station 10: Located on New York Avenue at Wilkie St.  
  • Lift Station 12A: Located on Fairway Drive at Palm Blvd. to Demaret Dr.  
  • Lift Station 17: Located on Fairway Drive at Mangrum Dr. to Armour Dr.   

Realizing how much sewage is carried daily through these lift stations shows the significance of this project and how important it is for our Utilities Department to be maintaining and replacing when necessary. Through these 6 lift stations, 11,760 ft. of pipe will be replaced that typically caries 1,117,000 gallons of sewage per day to the Wastewater  

The Importance of Infrastructure Renewal  

Projects like these are crucial in maintaing the integrity of our infrasructure system, but more importantly they ensure the continued health and wellbeing of our community.  

To learn more about the project, timeline, budget and documents, visit https://dunedin-fl.civilspace.io/en/projects/wastewater-lift-station-force-main-replacements  

 

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