Replacement of Pumps at the PM-1 Sewage Pumping Station in Gdańsk
Inwestor / Gdańsk Water and Sewage Infrastructure Ltd.
Gdańsk
2023 - 2025
The PM-1 sewage pumping station is one of the largest in the city, serving areas including Śródmieście, Dolne Miasto, Wrzeszcz, Nowy Port, Oliwa, Zaspa, Osowa, Niedźwiednik, part of Morena, and also Sopot. It is an overflow-type station responsible for transporting a significant portion of Gdańsk’s municipal wastewater – about 50% of the total flow – to the next pumping station in the system.
This was the second project carried out by Ecol-Unicon at this facility. During the construction of the PM-1 pumping station (commissioned in 2016), the company performed all technological works, including the installation of pumps and screens. This time, as the General Contractor, Ecol-Unicon was responsible for the comprehensive replacement of four pumps, along with adapting the necessary elements of the facility to the new equipment (including modification of pressure pipelines and installation of guide rails), and installation of flow meters.
The works carried out increased the efficiency of the pumping station, its safety, and the reliability of the wastewater transport system. Thanks to the modernization, the facility is now better prepared for increasing hydraulic loads and ensures stable long-term operation.
Scope of work
- dismantling of four existing pumps along with their elbows
- replacement of guide rails and coupling elbows
- delivery, installation, and commissioning of four new submersible pumps for raw sewage
- installation of new flow meters
- modernization of the power supply and control system for the pumps
- implementation of changes in the PLC controller and integration with the existing automation system
- execution of mechanical (technical), hydraulic, and technological start-ups
- preparation of complete design and as-built documentation
Implemented solutions
The project was carried out under a “design and build” formula, which allowed for a comprehensive approach to modernization—from design preparation, through supply and installation, to commissioning of the new equipment. The modernization aimed to increase the reliability of the pumping station and adapt it to future operational needs.
Although the structure of the pumping station tank remained unchanged, key technological components were replaced. The new pumps feature high energy efficiency and resistance to clogging by suspended solids and debris, which is particularly important when handling untreated raw sewage.
How did pumps replacement proceed in practice?
This investment was demanding due to the scale of the facility and its key importance for the operation of Gdańsk’s entire sewage network. The works were carried out on an active facility, which required not only precise execution but also close coordination with the infrastructure owner – Gdańsk Water and Sewage Infrastructure – and the operator, Gdańsk Water and Sewage Operator.
Ensuring the continuous operation of the pumping station throughout the project was crucial. The pumps were replaced one by one—after each installation, the necessary start-up was carried out. Only after a successful start-up was completed did work begin on dismantling and replacing the next pump. This approach allowed three pumps to remain operational at all times, ensuring full functionality of the facility, safety, and uninterrupted operation of the entire system.
Rafał Biesik, Project Manager