Extending Lift Station Life with OMNIA Partners & Insituform

“DuPage County has used cooperative purchasing agreements for over 20 years. They’ve proven to be a cost-effective way to obtain quality service and pricing while meeting our strict procurement rules.”  — Sean Reese, Deputy Director, DuPage County Public Works 

DuPage County, serving as the lead agency, awarded a cooperative contract to Insituform for Trenchless Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Pipeline Infrastructure, so when there was a need to move this project forward, they were able to leverage this contract. This project included the rehabilitation of the Emerald Lift Station, a critical piece of infrastructure that included a 20-foot-deep carbon steel wet well and an 8-foot-deep valve vault. This agreement, made available to public agencies nationwide through OMNIA Partners, supported a project scope that involved inspecting and assessing the structural integrity of both structures, addressing failing coatings and potential rust issues, and applying protective epoxy to extend the life of the station.  

The County had previously attempted to move this project forward through the traditional bid process, but the costs were prohibitively high. By utilizing the Master Agreement through County of DuPage, the procurement team was able to move ahead quickly and efficiently with a trusted contractor while ensuring compliance with its strict procurement requirements. 

Insituform began by inspecting the wet well and valve vault, setting up a bypass pumping system to maintain flow during construction. The inspection revealed failing coatings and areas of concern where corrosion could have led to through-wall holes. To properly prepare the surfaces, crews sandblasted the steel to remove rust and peeling material and verified the profile height to ensure the epoxy would bond effectively. 

With flow-through plugs and cam locks in place to control the active stream, the project team then applied a protective epoxy coating. Only the lower three to four feet of the valve vault required new epoxy, as the upper portion remained in sound condition after surface preparation. 

Despite the December cold—with temperatures often below 10°F—the team adapted by enclosing the worksite and introducing 200-degree heated air to ensure the epoxy cured properly. 

The greatest challenges were the harsh winter conditions and the deteriorating carbon steel substrate. Freezing temperatures threatened the integrity of the coating process, while the failing original coating and risk of flash rust made proper preparation essential.  

By sandblasting thoroughly, testing the surface profile, and employing heating systems and protective wrapping, Insituform successfully overcame these issues and ensured a strong, durable finish. 

The rehabilitation was completed on time and with excellent results. Most importantly, the project came in at approximately one-third of the previous low bid that had stalled progress under the traditional procurement process. 

DuPage County not only extended the service life of a critical lift station but also realized significant cost savings, streamlined procurement, and ensured compliance with strict internal policies. The success of the project reinforced the County’s trust in Insituform and validated OMNIA Partners as a reliable procurement solution for future infrastructure needs. 

“The OMNIA Partners contract has enabled us to use a trusted contractor for our CIPP and lift station needs without the burden of publicly bidding each year. It saves us time, money, and resources.”  — Sean Reese, Deputy Director, DuPage County Public Works 

For DuPage County, cooperative purchasing is more than just a way to save money — it’s a strategy that enables agility, compliance, and long-term planning. By working with OMNIA Partners, the County gains access to pre-vetted suppliers like Insituform, predictable pricing for recurring projects, and significant time savings by avoiding lengthy bid processes. 

This project highlights how OMNIA Partners helps public agencies move forward with confidence — delivering cost-effective, high-quality results while meeting the strictest procurement requirements.