Sometimes the first answer that comes to mind is not the best or most complete answer. We look at every design through a holistic lens to make sure we are addressing the root cause, and not just eliminating the most obvious symptoms. Our designs improve operations, reduce long-term maintenance and integrate multiple benefits whenever possible to create more resilient and integrated solutions.

Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District
​Pump Station Upgrades
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Building Environmental Resilience into the Design of Upgrades to Five Major Pumping Stations ​
The District owns and operates 18 pumping stations, of which 7 facilities, the Moraga, Orinda Crossroads, Maltby, Fairview, Martinez, and Flush-Kleen Pump Stations and Concord Main Metering Station, required extensive upgrades. VWHA developed a preliminary design report, followed by biddable design for upgrades needed to replace aging assets, improve resiliency, and improve reliability. A key energy-saving aspect of the design was the conversion of the District's Waukesha engines at the 15.9 and 24.8 mgd Moraga & Orinda Crossroads Stations to all-electric power. This upgrade provided a cleaner-air option for power generation and also eliminated special operations and maintenance requirements that were needed to operate the engine-driven pumps. This upgrade also improved pumping transitions and low-flow operations at both stations. Converting from engine-driven to all-electric pumps was complicated by the tight footprint and proximity to residential parcels that are found with each station.

The Maltby, Fairview, Martinez, and Flush-Kleen Pump Stations and the Concord Main Metering Station required upgrades to address aging components, corrosion, ground settlement, flooding, and unreliable pumping capacity during peak wet weather events. Further, the Martinez, Fairview, and Orinda Crossroads sites are a risk for sea level rise and flood during the 100-year flood. The designs reviewed and prepared these stations to be resilient during this high water event.

Phase 1 construction for the Moraga and Orinda pump stations is in progress, and the team is completing the 100% design phase for the remaining facililites.

Other Recently-Completed Project Designs