Wastewater Pumping Systems and Lift Stations

Pumping Station Types, Features, and Design Considerations 

• Types of stations 
• Types of pumping equipment 
• Valves, fittings, forcemain piping 
• Screening systems and grinders 
• Ventilation and odor control 
• Emergency power, generators 
• Station layout and geometry 

 Pumping Equipment 

• Drywell and submersible pumping equipment 
• Shafts, bearings, mechanical seals 
• Impellers, casings, wearing rings 
• Pump characteristics and performance curves 
• NPSH, cavitation, and other pump problems 
• Electric motors 
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
• Control systems 

 Applied Hydraulics and Selection of Pumping Units 

• Peak flow selection 
• Computing system head curves 
• Force main sizing 
• Pump selection 
• Energy usage, power demand 
• Pumping in parallel or series 
• Affinity laws 
• Variable speed vs. constant speed pumping 
• Wet well and storage considerations 

 Design Workshops 

• Analyze flow data 
• Select design parameters 
• Develop system curves 
• Select pumping equipment 
• Critique alternative layouts 

 Other Topics 

• Operation and maintenance challenges 
• Air valves in forcemains 
• Waterhammer protection: When and where do you need it? 
• Station rehabilitation projects 
• Special problems in wastewater pumping 
• Other topics as requested 

 Problem-Solving Exercises 

• Attendees will participate in problem-solving exercises that will help them to understand key aspects of wastewater pumping systems and lift stations. In-person participants are encouraged to bring laptops for in-class exercises, but laptops are not strictly required

For this course we will be collaborating with Gorman Rupp to have live pump demos and content from Gorman Rupp's Fundamentals of Pumping academy is included as part of the course.

Registration Date/Time:
4/20/2027 8:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 4/20/2027  9:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/21/2027  9:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/22/2027  9:00am - 5:00pm Central Time

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. 

ALL students should obtain a UW NetID. Please access the Canvas platform once you receive your NetID.  If you use a workplace computer or laptop you may not have administrative access to our website. Please check if you can access it before the first day of class. Check with your IT Dept to gain access or use a private computer. 

Please watch the email address you provided during registration for release dates and pre-course information. Emails are from the "wisc.edu" address.

Contact us if you have questions or cannot access the Canvas course website with your NetID.     

• Instructors

  Adib Amini

  Program Director

  Adib Amini, Ph.D., PE, ENV SP, BCEE serves as Program Director in the College of Engineering’s Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, with a focus on Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Sustainability. Dr. Amini also works with cities and industries as an engineering consultant, with experience in both drinking water and wastewater treatment. Dr. Amini has expertise in sustainability, engineering design, technology innovation, and renewable energy. Dr. Amini’s work has included the design of novel technologies, including on-site energy systems at facilities. He spearheaded the designs for the first wastewater treatment facilities in Iowa that are 100% powered by on-site renewable energy systems. Dr. Amini invented a novel system for ventilation of rated spaces, such as wastewater headworks buildings, for which he holds a provisional patent. Dr. Amini also has performed award-winning research in technology innovation and sustainability. Dr. Amini has spoken widely at conferences on topics related to water/wastewater treatment, sustainability, PFAS, on-site energy systems, and resilient infrastructure.

  Chris Suomi

  Central District Manager - Engineered Systems

  Chris Suomi is the Central District Manager for Gorman-Rupp Engineered Systems Division.  As a District Manager, Chris provides a wide range of duties including assisting distributors and customers with product sales and applications of Gorman-Rupp products.  Chris has conducted numerous pump hydraulics training courses throughout the Midwest with state water and wastewater organizations, municipalities, and college seminars.  Chris has a degree in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Tech University and has over 25 years of experience in the water and wastewater field in consulting engineering, and application engineering prior to joining Gorman-Rupp in 2011.

  Scott Trotter

  President

  Scott Trotter is a professional engineer and a board-certified specialist in water/wastewater engineering by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE).  Scott has over 35 years of experience in planning, design, and implementation of infrastructure rehabilitation, expansion and process modification projects. 

  Throughout his career, he has earned the respect of clients, regulatory officials, and contractors alike for his technical skills, work ethic, and ability to bring projects together.  Scott has provided industry leadership through a number of organizations including serving as an officer of the Central States WEA, WEF Board of Trustees and University of Illinois CEE Alumni Board.  Scott has been involved with national policy initiatives including the USEPA integrated planning, nutrient planning, and WIFIA financing program.

  Thomas Jenkins

  President

  Tom Jenkins PE is president of JenTech, Inc. He previously served as chief wastewater design engineer with Dresser Roots and as the founder of ESCOR (Energy Strategies Corporation). Tom is a professional engineer and a graduate of Marquette University, in mechanical engineering. He has extensive experience in developing wastewater control systems and technology. He is a co-author of the Water Environment Federation Manual of Practice #32, Energy Conservation in Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities, and an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

• Program Director

  Adib Amini