A sewage system comprises a network of pipes transporting wastewater from residential and commercial buildings to the main sewer or sewage treatment plant. In a normal situation, the distribution pipe work relies on the force of gravity for the flow of waste into the main sewer or sewage treatment plant.
In low-lying locations, however, where the main sewer is located on higher ground than the residential sewage pipes, a different method of transporting the sewage to the main sewer is required.
How Do Sewage Pumping Stations Work?
Generally a GRP or plastic chamber is paired with float switches and one or two pumps in a standard sewage pump station. The control panel for the pump station or sometimes more commonly known as a pump chamber is located next to the pump station and is used to run the pumps.
Wastewater from homes and businesses will make its way into the pump chamber, eventually rising to the level at which the float switches will activate. This will turn on the pump, removing the liquid from the chamber and moving it to the main sewage system.
When Do You Need a Pump Station?
You will need a pump station when:
● It is necessary to transport liquid waste to a higher level.
● When the expense of constructing the groundwork necessary to allow sewage to flow naturally by gravity is more than the cost of building a sewage pumping station.
● If the basement floors need to be higher to allow for gravity-driven sewage flow.
● Locations where a gravity system still needs to be constructed.
Exactly what sort of sewage pumping station do I need?
There is a wide range of tank sizes at sewage pumping stations, from 610 x635 mm to 3000 x1500 mm. The more the tank capacity, the greater the device's usefulness and the greater the number of individuals who can make everyday use of it. In general, all sewage pumping stations belong to one of two groups:
Single-pump systems
As the name suggests, these have only one pump and can usually hold between 190 and 1700 litres of sewage.
A system with two pumps
This kind of system for pumping sewage has two pumps. The depth of the tank is between 1000mm and 3000mm, and it can hold anywhere from 800 to 5300 litres.
Both single-pump and double-pump models can be used in homes and businesses to move wastewater against the force of gravity toward the main sewer or sewage treatment plant. But the right one for you will depend on how many people will use the system daily: one person, two people, or more.
Furthermore, which pump you need depends on how much wastewater you need to hold and pump away. For example, if your sewage pumping station will be used in a private home with three bedrooms, one pump should be enough.
If, on the other hand, the pumping station will be used in a large apartment building, a business, or more than one house, you will need a dual system. Depending upon the exact installation Local Authority Building Control (LABC) may require you to have a twin pump system and a pump chamber which holds 24 or 48 hours storage.
Sewage Pumping Station Maintenance
Because of the necessary mechanical components to operate the system, both sewage pump stations and effluent pump stations and will require routine maintenance and repair to maintain their functioning at their optimum level and avoid malfunctions.
Pumping stations of any size that are properly cared for and maintained on a routine basis can improve the system's overall efficiency while extending its lifespan. It is crucial to be mindful of what is placed into the drainage system.
