Running Downhill: Charlotte Water's Steele Creek Pump Station and Force Main Provides Innovative Solution to Complex Sewer System Capacity Challenges

摘要

Charlotte Water's (CLTWater) Steele Creek project includes a 30 million gallon per day pump station (firm capacity) and 35,000 feet of 36-inch diameter force main. The total construction cost is $45 million. This project provides a cost-effective solution to complex sewer system capacity challenges. This was achieved through construction of an innovative project that addresses population growth, long-term sewer system capacity, and technical issues resulting from the project's unusual downhill force main configuration. The project provided $30 million in savings, on a net-present value basis, versus other alternatives evaluated, reducing the need for the utility to make substantial improvements in the downstream sewer system. This paper presents an overview of the project including the design approach, construction challenges, and lessons learned. This paper and technical presentation will present the project background, business case, design approach, construction overview, and lessons learned.