Hughes LPS Replacement
Project Detailsx
Location: Hughes, AK
Servicesx
> Planning & Design
> Geotechnical Services
Project Overviewx
Hughes, a rural Alaskan community, had been experiencing operational issues with its wastewater system since its installation in 2008. The community relied on a wastewater system that connected to a series of community septic tanks and included a low-pressure sewer system (LPS) to collect and transfer flows from homes at the north end of the village. However, frequent freezing and pump failures have caused significant operational issues, and the system’s expensive operations & maintenance (O&M) costs have become a burden for the community.
To address the wastewater problem, HDL collaborated with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and the Hughes Tribal Council to prepare a preliminary engineering report (PER) that identified options for an LPS replacement. HDL worked with the community to develop a ranking system based on ease of O&M, system longevity, and cost to select the preferred alternative: a gravity sewer collection and community lift station.
The new gravity sewer collection system would replace the existing LPS and is expected to provide long-term operational efficiency while minimizing costs. The system is designed to operate using gravity instead of pumps, which reduces the likelihood of system failures due to freezing or pump failures. The community lift station would also be installed to accommodate the community’s wastewater flow and pump it to the septic system. This new system is awaiting project construction funding, and the community is optimistic about its implementation.
HDL’s collaboration with ANTHC and the Hughes Tribal Council has helped identify a long-term solution to the community’s wastewater problem. The new system is expected to provide a reliable and cost-effective solution while minimizing O&M costs. The community’s new gravity sewer collection system and community lift station will help to ensure that the community has access to a reliable wastewater system for years to come.
