Despite the cold and destructive weather, the Union Street Pump Station replacement project is close to being finished. Boothbay Harbor Sewer District Superintendent Chris Higgins said that while weather has dampened efforts, the station installation, valve pit, and sewer rerouting from Eastern Avenue to the new station has been completed.

“The electricians and mechanical guys were finishing up the pump installation and the new controls and panels,” Higgins said over the weekend.

On Monday, Jan. 8, the testing phase of the new pumps was a success. Higgins said both pumps tested at 580 gallons and 604 gallons per minute, respectively, and that both pumps collectively produced just over 900 gallons per minute. The station went live at 6:30 p.m. on the same day.

“This is an increase of 200 gallons per minute with both pumps running over the (three) old pumps. “We are very pleased with the results.”

Higgins added, the bypass pumps have been shut down and removed on Tuesday, Jan 9 and the area around the station “should start looking like a parking lot again.”

Beyond the testing and subsequent launch of the new system, Higgins said the remaining work will be finished in the spring.

Said Higgins, “The crew will be back … to finish the final grading/landscaping of the station area and raise six manhole frames and covers in preparation for final paving of the trench. The roads will have finish asphalt laid from shoulder to shoulder from the pump station to the Smith and Oak Street intersection. This final phase will complete the project.”