Sewage Pumping Station – Installation Pros & Cons

If your home is connected to a sewer system, then chances are that a sewage pumping station is close by.

This is an important component of the system that ensures that waste is moved or transferred to a place of higher elevation which is then transported downward by gravity flow.

The sewage pumping station also goes by the name lift station which illustrates exactly what happens. Not all homes connected to a sewer system require a sewage pumping station.

It’s only necessary when certain conditions are present.

Conditions Necessary For The Installation of Lift Stations

The terms lift stations and sewer pumping stations will be used interchangeably because they’re the same. Basically, this station needs to lift or transfer sewage or wastewater to a place of higher elevation.

To be installed, the following conditions must be present in a home or area.

• When Sewer Needs to be Transported Over a Ridge

When there’s a ridge that stands between a sewer system and a treatment plant, construction costs can be significant. One way to maneuver through such a challenge is by constructing a lift station.

This holds the waste in a holding tank until it gets to an appreciable level before pumping.

The contents are pumped over the ridge or elevation and allowed to flow down the opposite side via the drain lines into the treatment plant. Sometimes, such effluent is released into a receiving body of water.

• Low Discharge Outlets Present

This is another possible reason why a lift station will have to be installed. Low discharge outlets mean that sewage doesn’t get the needed gravity flow to reach the treatment plant or water body.

An intervention is necessary to transport the same to its intended destination.

• Sewage Needs to be Elevated to Allow for Gravity Flow

When a home is located within a depression, a challenge with sewer waste treatment is inevitable. Luckily, the best way to overcome this challenge is by having a sewage pumping station installed.

This helps push up or lifts the sewage to the required elevation from which it flows down through gravity.

• Low Basement

Homes with low basements may require the presence of a sewage pumping station. Usually, basements are in a depressed or low level and require some assistance which is provided by the lift pump.

How A Pumping Station Works

Understanding the working principles of a sewage pumping station is key to appreciating its functionality. Basically, this piece of equipment functions as a system and helps transport sewage from one location to the next.

Before sewage ever gets moved, it needs to be collected first. The collection chamber where this happens is known as the wet well. This receives sewage from a building or group of buildings. Once it reaches a predetermined level, the pump gets triggered by a float switch.

The pressure is built which results in pumping out the contents of the wet well. The sewage content being pumped out follows a network of pipes, moving against gravity and headed to the main sewer line.

You won’t have to be present to turn the lift station on or off. An automatic float switch is incorporated into its design to ensure that it automatically gets triggered when the need arises.

Residential and Commercial Application

A sewage pumping station works excellently in both residential and commercial settings. This comes in a wide range of sizes as well as ratings to fit any need. You’ll need to communicate with an expert to determine what lift station fits your home.

Factors to Consider When Installing A Pumping Station

In trying to find out what pumping station best fits your situation, you’re bound to be constrained by certain factors. These include the distance sewage needs to travel to reach the main sewer line.

Other factors include the number of rooms within your property, the volume of sewage to be transported as well as the lift type required. Certain lift types may be designed to move or transport sewage horizontally.

For other designs, sewage is meant to be moved uphill.

Viscosity plays a major role in determining the type of sewage pumping station to get. More viscous sewage will require a stronger lift station.

In other words, higher-rated pump stations will be required as more work is done to move such waste.

Number of Pumps Needed for a Sewage Pumping Station

As mentioned earlier, sewage pumping stations come in different capacities.

For some, you’ll need two pumps to convey waste. For others, a single pump should serve just fine. Double pumps are best for apartment buildings with multiple outlets.

In other words, the need for additional sewage pumps increases with an increase in the number of users. A dual pump sewage pumping station ensures that the system runs efficiently with pumps alternating to keep up with the volume of sewage coming in.

Sewage Pumping Station Pros

There are quite a lot of benefits when it comes to sewage pumping station installation.

First, the ability to incorporate different pump sizes is a plus. This makes it easily customizable to fit your specific needs.

There’s no need for human presence when the pump works. It comes on and off when the sewage reaches a predetermined level in the wet well. When there are issues, you easily get alerted as alarms are sounded off by the pumping station.

The sewage intake of a lift pump is quite wide. This allows for easy passage of contents with chances of blockages significantly reduced. Remote monitoring is also incorporated into the system.

This ensures that you know about the station’s condition.

Sewage Pumping Station Cons

Just as there are advantages, there are also downsides to operating a sewage pumping station.

Although the chances of blockages are minimal, it’s still possible to experience pump clogs. Only the service of an expert is required to ensure smooth operation. This will impact the cost as professionals charge higher fees.

Reliability can sometimes be affected due to the presence of too much grease and fats. There are utility costs such as electricity to factor in. Also, sourcing parts for your sewage pumping station can sometimes be difficult.

By now, you should have some knowledge about what a sewage pumping station is as well as its basic operation.

We’ve taken covered key areas to help you make informed choices when buying one.