Wastewater Pumping FAQs Your Questions Answered

Wastewater pumping is an important topic. It’s essential in terms of sanitation, and if you discover that your home or place of work needs a pumping station you’re going to want more information. You’re going to have plenty of questions on the topic as well. We get it, the whole thing can seem a little confusing because surely this isn’t something to worry about? 

The thing is, some buildings are going to need a pumping station because the mainline sewers rely on gravity and not every place is equipped for this. To prepare you for the potential installation of a pumping station at your property, we’d like to take a moment to answer all of your most pressing questions. 

What is a Pumping Station?

The wastewater, or sewage, pumping stations are a highly efficient and economical way of removing foul water, surface water, and sewage in areas where there is low gravity or a mainline drain connection is difficult to achieve. They are very economical and easy to install, and even once they have been set up they remain discreet. 

It is a mechanical device that is installed in a sewer, water system, or another form of pipeline that carries liquids to a higher level. Usually, they are made up of one or more submersible pumps that are installed in a chamber. These are often referred to as sump pumps, sewage stations, or pump chambers. 

How Does a Pumping Station Work?

Gravity is used to move wastewater through sewer pipes, and this allows the contents to move slowly downhill until it reaches a designated low point. Then, pumping (or lift) stations that are situated at the low point are used to pump the wastewater uphill to a high point so that gravity can take the reins again. 

Usually, pumping stations are underground chambers where the sewage or surface water is discharged into. Following this, the liquid is pumped through a discharge point and to the mainline sewer. They are normally made from strong polyethene or glass-reinforced plastic to ensure that they remain strong and durable. 

It will also be fitted with internal pipework so that it is ready for underground installation. After this, the submersible pumps and control equipment can be fitted. The pump may include full automatic operation, a high-level alarm in case of pump failure, and a guide rail system to name a few. 

Choosing a Pumping Station

There is also the process of choosing a pumping station, and which one should you pick? The standard pumping station tends to come in small, medium, and large sizes so that you can select the one that works best for your household or the cluster of houses in the area. You may also want to consider a dual-pump system if you have a higher demand for the system. 

At Filta, we ensure that you get the system suited to your needs and requirements – something we are happy to talk to you about while you explore your options. Our tanks are highly durable and resistant because we know how corrosive sewage is, and we promise resistance to corrosion as well as fantastic maintenance and custom measurements to perfectly suit you. 

Regular Servicing

Maintenance is essential for a pumping station, and we strongly recommend regular servicing to ensure that every component is working as it should be and as efficiently as possible. For domestic pumping stations, we recommend a minimum of an annual service and those that are used more frequently or commercially will likely need more regular checkups. 

What is Installation Like?

The installation process for your wastewater pumping system is actually very simple and doesn’t take up a lot of time. With Filta, you can expect a process that looks like this:

1. Liaise with the highway agency if and when necessary
2. Excavate the area and install the pump chamber and control panel
3. Enable works for gravity drainage
4. Thrust boring/open cut installation of rising main
5. Connect to the mainline sewer
6. Test and commission before giving you the green flag to use it

Homeowner Regulations

It should be noted that there are new government rules in England that simplify the way in which septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants are regulated. As of January 2016, septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants no longer need to be registered in order for a property to be sold. However, the owners of properties that have these installed are still responsible for meeting general binding rules. This refers to all private pumping stations and septic systems being properly maintained and they must not cause pollution of any kind. 

To Conclude

Now you have all of the core questions answered, we hope this has given you a clearer understanding of how the pumping systems work and the ways in which they can benefit you. At Filta, we are proud of our expert team and they are here to help. Make sure you give us a call for a quote or any questions as we would be happy to help you on your journey.