Mechanic Street Pump Station Upgrade
Upcoming Work
Work with heavy equipment is taking place Thurs-Fri June 27-28; then on Monday, July 1, 2024 a DPW work crew will be doing preventative maintenance to the bypass pump in the station parking lot using a crane and machinery in the driveway between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm. Abutters should expect noise from the work as well as disruption to traffic and parking in the area. No parking signs will be posted in advance. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Shane Nicols the City’s Pump Station Foreman at (603) 957-8003 or Erich Fiedler City Engineer at (603) 380-4704.
Background
The Mechanic Street Wastewater Pumping Station is the largest in the City. The Pump Station Master Plan details scheduled upgrades. Pump failures, temporary pump installation and repairs in 2023 underscore the need for a comprehensive replacement and upgrade program. The City has applied for State and Federal grant monies and has included an FY25 budget for design with grant monies and City match following in FY27.
The City of Portsmouth’s Mechanic Street Pump Station experienced an equipment failure in January that left only one of the station’s three pumps operational. The pump station continues to operate and passes the required flows to the Peirce Island Wastewater Treatment Facility. In order to ensure redundancy and manage high flow events, the City mobilized two temporary engine-driven backup pumps in the Pump Station’s parking lot. The pumps are connected with large temporary pipes to the existing infrastructure.
The City is working to complete repairs as quickly as possible and has shipped the main pumps off-site for refurbishment. These large pumps require specialized work and parts. Anticipating a long duration to repair the pumps the City has taken steps to install quiet pumps and modified operations to minimize impacts to the neighborhood.
This emergency repair project only addresses the current equipment need, a larger upgrade of the station has been funded and is currently in design.
Project Description (EF-13-SD-97): The Mechanic Street Wastewater Pumping Station is the largest in the City. The station will undergo a limited upgrade project in FY23/FY24 to extend the lifespan up to ten years. The station will need a comprehensive upgrade (FY30) and it is anticipated the work will be scheduled around the same time as the replacement of the Peirce Island Road Bridge.
Project Status: Hydrology studies planned. Work is not anticipated in FY23.
Estimated Cost: CIP (FY24-29) p. 56. $2 million
Funding Source: Included in June 23, 2022 Sewer Fund bonding for Sewer System Upgrade projects.
![Zachary Cronin](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_paragraph/public/team-members/CroninZ.jpg?itok=edC5gVBI)