The University of California has a network of universities all across the state. The Merced location opened in 2005 as the result of increased college application rates, and since, remains dedicated to research and academics. UC Merced, like many universities throughout the US, requires students to live on campus for at least two academic years. Adapting to the rising numbers of students seeking a higher education, UC Merced expanded their campus, and needed a wastewater lift station to accommodate new mixed-use residence halls.

This project was brought to Romtec Utilities by Rockwell Engineering and Equipment Corporation, who we collaborated with to provide UC Merced with the lift station they needed.

The wastewater lift station is composed of a precast 10’ inner diameter (ID) wet well that is 23’ in depth. The deep wet well will be able to accommodate the high flows that the lift station will experience. To pump wastes out of the well and to treatment, two 20 horsepower (hp) Vaughan Submersible Chopper Pumps sit at the bottom of the well.

Chopper pumps can be beneficial in systems that may experience high volumes of solids. During the pumping cycles, the pumps will simultaneously pump waste and chop up any solids that are in the wastewater, reducing the risk for clogs in the piping and limiting the damage that solids could cause to pumps. The chopper pumps were an important part of the system for UC Merced, making them an essential piece of this lift station.

The chopper pumps are controlled by a Zelio Smart Relay that receives signals from the primary level sensor, a pressure transducer, and the secondary level sensors, 2 NOLTA floats. The electrical connections for wet well components are stored in a Romtec Utilities in-ground junction box that features explosion proof enclosures (for pumps and T-lead connections) and stainless-steel enclosures (for the level sensing equipment).

This lift station was installed on site by W.M. Lyles Co, and will be owned and maintained by the University of California, Merced. Thanks to the cooperation of Rockwell Engineering, ARUP, W.M. Lyles Co, and UC Merced, Romtec Utilities was able to perform a successful startup and commission of this system for UC Merced, ensuring that the University could move forward with their expansion. This allows UC Merced to cater to more students and educate the bright minds of our future from California and beyond. With the new residence halls, UC Merced will better be able to take on out-of-state or foreign students and provide students a safe space to learn and live.