South Water Reclamation Facility Influent Pump Station Upgrade
Orange County Utilities (OCU) operates the South Water Reclamation Facility (SWRF), a vital resource for Central Florida’s growing population and thriving commercial sector. To address rising flow demands and expansion needs, OCU' embarked on a master plan that identified the Influent Pump Station (IPS) as a critical bottleneck.
With four 20-MGD pumps near the end of their lifecycle, the IPS faced accessibility, maintenance, and hydraulic performance challenges. Frequent sanitary overflows and pump failures underscored the need for modernization. CHA designed a state-of-the-art IPS capable of handling Phase V peak flows of 200 MGD with six 31-MGD pumps and room for future expansion. Dual self-cleaning wet wells discharge grit and debris to the plant headworks, improving efficiency and maintenance. Pumps are removable via hatches and guide rails, while at-grade piping and valves enhance accessibility.
During extreme weather events, including Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2023 and Helene and Milton in 2024, the system successfully prevented sanitary sewer overflows, demonstrating its resilience and effectiveness.
Project summary
Six 31-MGD pumps meet peak flow needs.
Three 63-inch HDPE pipes support automated cleaning.
The new IPS was resilient and reliable during four hurricanes.
Talk to an expert
Stefano Ceriana, PE*
Senior Project Manager
Stefano has 21 years of water and wastewater utility experience, including pipeline (pressure and gravity) and lift station design. He regularly performs project management duties such as project startup, preliminary and final design, execution, and construction administration. He has extensive knowledge of utility system planning, permitting processes, computer-aided design and geographic information systems, resident project representation, and hydraulic modeling software for planning and design purposes.
