Oberhausen

Emscher pumping station

Infrastructure for the Emscher regeneration project

Pumping stations for the Emscher system

The new pumping stations form part of the sewerage system along the Emscher. The Oberhausen pumping station pumps wastewater from the low-lying sewer into a higher-lying gravity sewer heading towards the Emscher-Mündung sewage treatment works in Dinslaken. In addition, the Oberhausen-Handbach pumping station was built, which feeds the wastewater from the Handbach sewer into the main twin-pipe sewer. Even before the technical installations could be commissioned, the structures required for the subsequent wastewater conveyance were constructed deep below the surface.

44 metres below ground level

The central structure of the project is the Oberhausen pumping station, with a diameter of 46 m and a foundation depth of around 44 m below ground level. The neighbouring Oberhausen-Handbach pumping station has a diameter of around 7 m and extends to a depth of approximately 12 m. The construction pits for both structures were previously constructed by third parties using diaphragm wall and bored pile methods. The reinforced concrete structures of the pumping stations were subsequently built within these construction pits.

Structural engineering works underground

In addition to the pumping stations, the project included numerous other structural engineering structures. These included a pipe jacking section approximately 220 m long, two relief shafts with enclosures for the photo-oxidation plants, an operations building with a pent roof, a dosing station with a viewing tower, shaft structures, pipework systems and the Outdoor facilities within the roundabout. The various structures were constructed in sections and connected to the existing facilities as well as the new sewer infrastructure.

Building between the sewer, shafts and pumping stations

The project comprised structures both above and below ground. Low-lying pumping stations, pipework and shaft structures had to be connected to the operational and plant components located above them. Digital models were used throughout the project to document and monitor the construction work. In addition, pde Integrale Planung GmbH provided support with schedule and project coordination. In addition to structural engineering, other PORR divisions were involved in various sections of the Emscher redevelopment. Parts of the sewer were constructed using structural engineering and tunnelling services.

The foundation for the new sewer infrastructure

The completion of the pumping stations and structural engineering structures created the conditions for the use of the underground sewer system in the Oberhausen area. Even before the structures became visible in day-to-day operations, shafts, pipelines and pumping stations were constructed up to 44 metres below ground level as part of the infrastructure along the Emscher. Between the sewer route, the pumping station and the shaft structures, a further section of the Emscher system in the Ruhr region was thus created.