Ninety-two meters down. That’s how deep the wastewater flows before reaching the PNS Volkhonskaya. Can you imagine the sheer force the pumps must handle?
This isn’t just any pumping station. The PNS Volkhonskaya is a vital part of St Petersburg’s infrastructure. It’s the heart of a twelve-kilometer tunnel system. This system transports millions of liters of wastewater daily. The wastewater flows to a treatment plant before reaching the Baltic Sea. This ambitious project ensures a cleaner Baltic Sea. It fulfills the strict requirements of Helcom. Helcom is an intergovernmental commission for Baltic Sea countries.
The challenge was immense. Constructing a pumping station in a shaft 92 meters deep required innovative engineering. KSB a German company provided the solution. They supplied 19 powerful Amarex KRT pumps. Each pump boasts a 700 kW motor. These pumps lift the wastewater. They send it through a tunnel system. Gravity takes it the rest of the way to the treatment plant. The system is remarkably efficient. Up to 98 percent of the city’s wastewater is treated.
The project wasn’t solely a Russian endeavor. Finland played a key role. Finnish expertise contributed to the project’s funding and control systems. It’s a testament to international cooperation. The station’s completion in 2013 coincided with the International Year of Water Cooperation. This year aimed to raise global awareness about water resources. The project highlights the importance of water conservation and responsible management.
So next time you admire the beauty of the Baltic Sea. Remember the unseen work of the PNS Volkhonskaya. This pumping station quietly protects the environment. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and commitment to environmental stewardship. It’s a silent guardian of St Petersburg’s beauty. A remarkable feat of engineering hidden beneath the city.