Category: Blog

Introduction In the municipal wastewater sector, a single incorrect valve specification can lead to catastrophic ragging, seized actuation, and thousands of dollars in unscheduled maintenance. Engineers often default to “tried and true” manufacturers, but nuances in product lines and specification details can obscure the best choice for specific hydraulic conditions. A frequent point of discussion […]

Advanced Odor Control Strategies for Wastewater Treatment Facilities Chemical Odor Control Techniques When it comes to odor control for wastewater, the stakes are high. A single whiff of that unmistakable scent can lead to complaints, lost business, and even fines. In fact, studies show that nearly 60% of residents near wastewater facilities report issues related […]

Introduction In the design of municipal wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations, the eccentric plug valve serves as the workhorse for isolation and throttling of sludge, slurry, and raw sewage. However, a persistent challenge for consulting engineers is navigating the specific mechanical nuances between major manufacturers. Often, specifications are copied from previous projects without a […]

Introduction In municipal water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, valves act as the critical control points for hydraulic stability, process isolation, and flow regulation. A surprising statistic in utility asset management reveals that while valves often constitute less than 10% of a plant’s capital cost, they account for upwards of 25% of the maintenance budget over […]

Introduction The substitution request is a familiar scenario for municipal consulting engineers and plant superintendents: a specification calls for a domestic standard, yet a contractor submits an international alternative to reduce capital costs. This creates a critical decision point regarding Crispin Valve vs DHC International for Butterfly Valves: Pros/Cons & Best-Fit Applications. While approximately 70% […]

Introduction For municipal and industrial consulting engineers, the butterfly valve is often treated as a commodity item—a simple isolation device inserted into piping isos without much thought given to the manufacturer beyond the flange rating. This oversight is a primary driver of premature seal failure, actuator sizing errors, and unexpected downtime. Statistics from major utilities […]

Designing and Operating Efficient Effluent Treatment Plants Regulatory Framework and Compliance Standards Did you know that nearly 40% of U.S. wastewater treatment plants are struggling to meet regulatory requirements? That's a staggering figure, especially when you consider the critical role these facilities play in protecting public health and the environment. If you're operating an effluent […]

Introduction In the municipal water and wastewater sector, the butterfly valve is the workhorse of isolation and flow control for large-diameter piping. However, a pervasive issue continues to plague capital improvement projects: the “specification inertia” where engineers copy-paste valve specifications without re-evaluating the current manufacturing landscape. This often leads to suboptimal lifecycle performance, particularly regarding […]

Introduction to Valve Specification in Municipal Infrastructure In municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, valves typically represent less than 5% of the capital expenditure (CAPEX) of a treatment plant or collection system. However, industry reliability data suggests that valve failures, leakage, and actuation issues can account for up to 60% of the unscheduled maintenance operational expenditure […]

Introduction The escalation of non-dispersible solids in modern wastewater—primarily synthetic wipes, rags, and fibrous materials—has fundamentally changed the operational baseline for municipal lift stations and treatment plants. Engineers are increasingly forced to move beyond simple solid-handling pumps to aggressive solids reduction strategies. A critical decision point in this defense strategy is the selection of Wilo […]