A military wastewater lift station was designed and supplied by Romtec Utilities for a U.S. Air Force project at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The packaged sanitary pump system serves wastewater flows from a new maintenance facility while meeting federal project requirements, site constraints, and long-term performance expectations.

Romtec Utilities worked with AVI Engineering, Mechanical Systems Inc, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the construction team to provide a value-engineered federal wastewater lift station. The final design replaced a deep gravity sewer system with a compact pump system that better fit the project budget, site conditions, and construction schedule.

This project supported a new Air Force maintenance facility and required wastewater infrastructure to collect and convey sanitary flows from the building. The system also needed to connect efficiently with downstream utilities.

The original design relied on a gravity sewer system that extended a long distance and required deep trenching. As the design progressed, this approach became too expensive due to excavation depth and construction complexity.

AVI Engineering brought in Romtec Utilities to develop a more cost-effective solution. The result was a military wastewater lift station design that reduced construction challenges while still meeting project performance requirements. The lift station and force main were developed separately from the original site plans, requiring close coordination across multiple project teams.

The military wastewater lift station was designed to be compact, reliable, and easy to operate. It was engineered to provide consistent performance while keeping maintenance straightforward for facility staff.

The system includes a precast wet well and a separate valve vault that houses piping and system controls. A duplex pump configuration allows one pump to operate during normal conditions while the second provides backup when needed.

The control system uses a pressure transducer for primary level sensing, with float switches as backup. This setup allows the system to respond automatically to changing wastewater levels while maintaining reliable operation.

Electrical components are housed in a durable outdoor enclosure designed for long-term use. The overall layout supports reliable performance with minimal operational complexity.

The packaged design also simplifies installation by ensuring all major components are engineered to work together before arriving on site.

This military wastewater lift station project included several challenges related to site conditions and federal requirements.

One of the main challenges was the long downhill force main, which created concerns about flow behavior, including the potential for solids to settle and increase maintenance over time.

Another significant challenge was the original gravity sewer design. The initial plan required deep trenching over a long distance, which increased construction cost and complexity.

The project also required coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their review process involved multiple comments and revisions, which required updates to the design before approval.

Romtec Utilities worked with the project team to overcome these challenges through practical design solutions.

To address the force main concerns, the system was redesigned to include a septic tank with effluent pumping. This helps regulate flow and reduces the risk of long-term maintenance issues.

The shift from a gravity system to a military wastewater lift station eliminated the need for deep trenching, reducing overall construction cost and improving constructability.

Romtec Utilities also collaborated closely with AVI Engineering and USACE throughout the review process. This ensured that all design revisions met federal standards and that the final system was both reliable and compliant.

This project required coordination between several key partners to meet both design and federal review requirements. These partners included:

• Engineer: AVI Engineering
• Review Authority: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
• Pump System Provider: Romtec Utilities

Romtec Utilities worked closely with AVI Engineering throughout the design process to develop a system that met performance goals while addressing site challenges. USACE provided review and feedback, guiding revisions that improved long-term reliability and compliance.

This collaboration ensured the final design met federal standards, supported construction timelines, and delivered a dependable wastewater solution for the facility.

This project at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base shows how a military wastewater lift station can provide an effective alternative to a traditional gravity sewer system when excavation depth, budget, schedule, and long-term maintenance are key concerns.

Through close coordination with AVI Engineering, USACE, and the construction team, Romtec Utilities developed a solution that met project requirements while overcoming complex design challenges. The final federal wastewater lift station reflects a value-engineered approach that balances performance, constructability, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency. Projects like this demonstrate the importance of collaboration and adaptability when developing utility infrastructure for federal and military facilities.