New Demands on an Old Wastewater System

Aging Infrastructure, Rising Costs, and Why RetroFit May No Longer be Optional

Much of the wastewater infrastructure operating today was never designed to carry this much weight for this long.

Across the U.S., many wastewater treatment plants and pump stations were built during major expansion periods in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s and engineered for an expected service life of roughly 40 to 50 years. That means a significant portion of the systems still in use today are operating at, or beyond, their original design horizon. This the reality of infrastructure that has quietly done its job for decades.

The challenge is that everything around those systems has changed.

Replacement Costs Have Shifted Dramatically

When operators or municipalities begin discussing “replacement,” the comparison is often made to what a similar system cost years—or decades—ago. That’s where the disconnect starts.  The dollar doesn’t quite buy as much as it used to, we can all agree.

Construction costs, materials, labor, permitting, and regulatory compliance have all increased significantly over time. Nationally, wastewater infrastructure needs have grown by hundreds of billions of dollars in just the past decade, driven not only by aging assets but by higher standards and higher costs across the board. Water and sewer rates have risen faster than general inflation, reflecting the true cost of maintaining and upgrading essential systems.

For many facilities, full replacement simply isn’t realistic in the near term.  It’s not financially feasible, and perhaps not logistically possible.

Today’s Systems Are Asked to Do More Than They Were Designed For

Beyond age and cost, operating conditions themselves have changed.

Many wastewater systems were designed using historical flow and precipitation data that no longer reflect today’s reality. Heavier rain events, higher peak inflows, and increased solids loading are now common challenges. We’ve talked many times about how our society is flushing things down the toilets that were never meant to be flushed, and it’s causing problems.  Equipment that once ran steadily may now experience more frequent cycling, higher wear, clogging issues, and unexpected failures.

At the same time, regulatory requirements have tightened. Reliability expectations are higher. Downtime is less tolerable. And operators are expected to deliver better performance with fewer resources.

The result? Systems that technically still “work,” but operate closer to their limits every year.

Why Keen Pump’s RetroFit Has Become the Practical Path Forward

Our RetroFit pumps have been an available option for some time now. Many would say they’re no longer an option, rather they are the only solution available. 

RetroFit allows facilities to address today’s demands, like capacity, reliability, and efficiency, without tearing out what already exists. Instead of redesigning an entire system, operators can focus on the components that matter most: pumps, hydraulics, and system fit.

A well-designed retrofit can:

• Extend the useful life of existing infrastructure
• Improve performance under modern flow conditions
• Reduce maintenance headaches tied to outdated or mismatched equipment
• Defer major capital spending while improving reliability now

In many cases, the smartest move is upgrading what’s already there to perform as intended in today’s environment.

RetroFit Fits the System You Actually Have

What if you don’t have a Keen System?  That is why Keen Pump developed its RetroFit product line.

RetroFit solutions are built around the reality that no two pump stations are exactly alike, and that many facilities are working within legacy systems that still need to function tomorrow. By custom-fitting pumps to existing infrastructure, RetroFit eliminates the need for costly structural changes while delivering modern performance and reliability.

Looking Ahead

The wastewater industry is navigating aging infrastructure, rising costs, changing environmental conditions, and increasing expectations all at once. RetroFit solutions sit at the intersection of those challenges, offering a practical way forward when a complete system rebuild isn’t feasible, affordable, or even necessary.

For many facilities, the question isn’t if they’ll need to adapt—it’s how. And more often than not, the answer starts with making what’s already in place work smarter.

A Practical Next Step

If your system was built decades ago, the smartest move is a closer look at what you already have.

Before committing to major capital upgrades, take time to evaluate whether a Keen Pump RetroFit product could extend system life, improve performance, and reduce risk without rebuilding from the ground up. A thoughtful retrofit assessment can reveal opportunities that aren’t obvious until existing equipment, site constraints, and operating conditions are reviewed together.

To explore whether a Keen Pump RetroFit solution makes sense for your facility, talk with a Keen Pump representative or distributor about your current system and goals. A simple conversation can help clarify options and potentially save significant time, cost, and disruption.