RESCU PROGRAM: Front of Plant Project

Silicon Valley Clean Water’s contractor partner, Shea Parsons Joint Venture (SPJV) is continuing work within the Receiving Lift Station (RLS). Various pieces of the influent manifold piping have been coated with a layer of protective coating onsite and are being fitted together in their final position at the bottom of the RLS shaft. The fitted segments will form a two-branch manifold that will receive raw wastewater flowing from the new gravity tunnel through the Surge and Flow Splitter (SFS) shaft. The new RLS pumps (each capable of pumping 16 million gallons a day!!) will pump the raw wastewater approximately 90 feet from the bottom of the RLS shaft to the Headworks Facility through vertical pump discharge pipes.

The SFS shaft is designed to operate as a safety facility within the SVCW raw wastewater conveyance system. It allows wastewater levels to be contained, fluctuating as needed within the conveyance system to protect the new RLS from major short-term high flow events. While such events are unlikely, they must be accounted for. The RLS is designed to be a dry shaft with piping and pumps that are safely accessible for inspection and maintenance by SVCW staff.  One way to have a great visual representation of the SFS and RLS is by visiting our Virtual Reality experience.

This month, SPJV has started with the installation of the grit pumps and associated piping. These grit pumps will be connected to the installed Headcell degritting system that serves to remove inorganic materials such as sand, gravel, and other heavy solid material from the incoming wastewater flow. Discharge flow from the Headcell will be pumped by the grit pumps through the new piping to a grit washer that will wash residual organic matter from the grit, followed by a step to dewater the grit and sediment, and ultimately transport the resulting solids via a conveyor to a container for disposal. The organic matter and wastewater will be reintroduced back into the influent wastewater stream for treatment in the SVCW Waster Water Treatment Plant.