Sandfort Creek Lift Station

Cochran partnered with East Central Missouri Water & Sewer Authority to design and deliver the Sandfort Creek Lift Station, a critical regional wastewater infrastructure project that improved system capacity and enhanced long-term service reliability. The new lift station was developed to redirect wastewater flows from the City of St. Charles to the City of St. Peters for treatment, creating a more efficient and coordinated regional wastewater system.

The project included the design of a high-capacity lift station featuring dual 890-gallon-per-minute pumps, approximately 13,500 linear feet of 10-inch force main, and an underground concrete emergency storage basin to manage peak flow conditions. To ensure seamless integration with existing infrastructure, Cochran incorporated variable frequency drives (VFDs) and strategically sized emergency storage to regulate flow rates and protect downstream facilities.

The project required innovative engineering solutions to overcome a series of complex challenges, including crossings of Sandfort Creek, active railroad corridors, Highway 370, and the Lakeside 370 Levee District. Cochran successfully coordinated multiple regulatory approvals and stakeholder requirements while maintaining strict operational and hydraulic performance standards throughout the design process.

Placed into service in 2016, the Sandfort Creek Lift Station serves as a key component of the region’s wastewater infrastructure network, demonstrating Cochran’s expertise in delivering complex utility projects that enhance system resilience, support regional growth, and provide reliable service for years to come.