Water Pump Stations

Water Pump Station Design, Forensics & Expert Witness Services

A failed water pump station can cause big problems fast. Floods. Contaminated water. Costly downtime. Sometimes even a lawsuit. I’m Bonneau Dickson, PE. I help attorneys, insurers, agencies, and property owners find out exactly what went wrong and why. I have over 40 years of hands-on experience designing, managing, and troubleshooting water systems. That means I bring real engineering skill and real courtroom credibility to every case.

What Does a Water Pump Station Expert Witness Actually Do?

Think of me as a translator. I take complicated engineering data and turn it into something a courtroom, an insurance claim, or a boardroom can actually use. When a pump station breaks down, floods a neighborhood, or fails to deliver safe drinking water, someone needs to dig into the evidence. That someone needs to explain it. That’s my job.

Here’s how I work. I review design plans, maintenance records, and failure reports. I inspect the equipment. I talk to the people involved. Then I piece together a clear timeline of events. Finally, I put it all into a report that holds up under pressure, whether that’s cross-examination, a claims adjuster’s review, or a technical committee.

My forensic work covers a wide range of issues, including:

• Pump station failures and shutdowns
• Water distribution and pressure problems
• Sewage backups tied to pump malfunctions
• Wastewater leaks and system breakdowns
• Sewer pipe and forcemain failures
• Stormwater drainage disputes
• Property damage claims linked to water system failures

Why Would You Need One?

Here’s the thing. Pump station failures rarely have just one cause. Was it a design flaw? Poor maintenance? A power outage? A part that wore out too soon? It’s hard to tell the difference between a manufacturing defect and simple neglect without a trained eye. And that difference can make or break a legal case or an insurance claim.

I’ve evaluated cases involving septic system failures, sewer breaks, pump station malfunctions, and wastewater leaks that caused real property damage. My goal stays the same every time: find the actual cause, not just the symptom. Then explain it so a judge, jury, or adjuster, none of whom are engineers, can follow along without getting lost.

How Does the Process Work?

1. Initial Review – I start by going through the available records: design documents, maintenance logs, inspection reports, and photos.
2. Site Investigation – When needed, I visit the site to inspect the pump station, piping, and related equipment firsthand.
3. Technical Analysis – I apply engineering principles to pinpoint what actually caused the failure, ruling out other possibilities along the way.
4. Clear Reporting – I write up findings in language that makes sense to non-engineers, backed by solid technical reasoning.
5. Testimony & Support – If the case goes to deposition or trial, I’m ready to explain my conclusions clearly and confidently under questioning.

I Also Design Potable Water Pump Stations

Beyond forensic work, I design potable water pump stations from the ground up. Clean, reliable drinking water depends on a system built right the first time. That means proper pump sizing, smart piping layout, and controls that actually work in the field, not just on paper.

Take one of my projects near Pleasanton, California. I designed potable water pump stations and pressure piping for a subdivision there, with the system controlled remotely based on tank levels. In another project, I evaluated an existing pump station for reuse instead of building something new.

That decision saved a California city roughly $350,000 because a new storage basin turned out to be unnecessary. That’s the kind of practical thinking I bring to every project. I’d rather solve a problem efficiently than add infrastructure just for the sake of it.

What Makes My Approach Different?

Lots of engineers can run calculations. Fewer can explain those calculations to a jury. Fewer still can make a complex system easy for a city council to understand. I’ve spent decades doing both. I design real systems in the field, and I later explain, as an expert witness, why systems like them sometimes fail.

My background spans water lines, sewer networks, pump stations, wells, wastewater treatment plants, and potable water systems. I’ve managed design teams. I’ve served as project manager on dozens of jobs. I’ve worked directly with agencies to help them select and manage their own consultants. That mix of design experience and forensic analysis is what sets my work apart. I’m not guessing at how a pump station should behave; I’ve built and run them myself.

Dealing With a Pump Station Failure?

Maybe you’re dealing with a failed pump station. Maybe you need an expert witness for a legal case. Or maybe you just want a potable water system designed right the first time. Either way, I’m here to help. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and get a clear, honest assessment of your situation.

Contact Bonneau Dickson, PE today to request a consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions