Major improvement in pumping capacity

New equipment in the rebuilt Kirkpatrick Pump Station, Oct 2002

New equipment in the rebuilt Kirkpatrick Pump Station, Oct 2002

To improve wastewater treatment and to help to mitigate the adverse effects of combined sewers, Onondaga County in 2002 upgraded the building, utilities, infrastructure, and equipment of the Kirkpatrick Street Pump Station, located near the Syracuse Inner Harbor.

The County also made substantial improvements to the streets affected by the construction.

The pump station is an integral part of the metropolitan sewerage system. It handles sanitary sewage from the Hiawatha Trunk Sewer and from some areas west of Onondaga Creek. The area that contributes to the pump station includes both separated and combined sewers.

During construction, workers add an attractive façade to the pump station to harmonize with surroundings. July 3, 2002

During construction, workers add an attractive façade to the pump station to harmonize with surroundings. July 3, 2002

The capacity of the pump station was upgraded to 28 cubic feet/second. It also eliminated overflows at CSO (combined sewer overflow) #075 (up to the 1-yr storm event). Components installed in the pump station give it the capacity to handle 35 cubic feet/second.

The project refitted new pumps, drives, and controllers; made structural modifications at the grit chamber; added permanent odor control facilities; and made architectural modifications to the building to harmonize it with its surroundings, which include historical structures and recreational facilities.

New force main included

The sanitary sewage from the Kirkpatrick Street Pump Station was redirected to the Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant. To do so, a new ½-mile force main was constructed. Formerly, the pump station discharged to the main interceptor sewer (MIS).

Landscaping along Kirkpatrick Street enhances the pump station's setting near the Inner Harbor

Landscaping along Kirkpatrick Street enhances the pump station's setting near the Inner Harbor

The project has progressed through the following steps:

New 30-inch wet weather force main to Metro

New 16-inch dry weather force main to MIS

New wet weather submersible pumps

Modifications to channel and grit chamber, new weir gates

Enlargement of pump station

New electrical service, odor control, backup generator, mechanical bar screens, dry weather pumps

Many civic improvements to Kirkpatrick and Van Rensselaer Streets.

A project of this magnitude is not without its surprises. Despite intensive study of archeological and historical resources before work began, WEP found building stones from a long-demolished yet historically significant courthouse from downtown Syracuse.

Click here to see WEP's rescue effort.

The modifications to the pump station enable the facility to operate as a wet/dry pump station with two force mains. No longer will the pump station routinely discharge to the MIS. It will transport sanitary sewage directly to Metro.

Major improvement in pumping capacity