Sewage pumping stations play a critical role in wastewater management, ensuring the efficient movement of sewage from lower to higher elevations when gravity flow isn’t feasible.
Read on to explore the essentials of sewage pumping stations, including what they are, how they operate and the range of sizes available to suit different needs.
What Is a Sewage Pumping Station?
Typically, sewage systems use gravity to transport wastewater from residential or commercial premises to the sewer system. However, this is not always possible when sewage systems from properties need to travel horizontally or uphill to connect to the main sewer, this is where sewage pumps come in handy.
Sewage from the building or premises flows into the tank of the sewage pumping station which pumps pump sewage, enabling it to travel upwards until it reaches the point where gravity will carry it to the main sewer.
How Do Sewage Pumping Stations Work?
Let’s take a closer look at how sewage pumping stations work by collecting and transporting pump sewage and wastewater.
The Sewage Tank Fills Up
Sewage collects in the sewage tank, known as the wet well. Once the sewage reaches the minimum level, it will trigger a float switch which activates the sewage pump.
The Sewage Pumps Activate
How the pump works depends on the type and model of your pumping station and the number of pumps it has. For pump sewage stations with a single pump, once the float switch is triggered the pump kicks in and the waste is transferred. A non-return valve prevents the pumped-out fluid from flowing back into the tank.
With a dual-pump sewage system, one pump deals with the inflows and the other pump provides backup in case the main pump fails. The pumps alternate with each pump cycle to ensure even use and wear. Additionally, the two pumps can function simultaneously during high flow periods to increase capacity.
Sewage Transfer
Most sewage pumps use centrifugal force to transfer energy from the motor to the fluid, moving the fluid from the station to the discharge point where it can join the gravity network. Once the tank has emptied, the pump will automatically shut off until the tank fills again. The whole process is entirely automatic.
What are The Different Types of Pumping Stations?
Water UK identifies four different types of sewage pumping stations, based on the incoming flow rate and number of buildings they connect to.
● Type 1 pumping station: incoming flow rate of less than 0.25 litres per second (l/s) and fewer than 5 dwellings
● Type 2 pumping station: incoming flow rate between 0.25 l/s and 1 l/s and 6 to 20 dwellings
● Type 3 pumping station: incoming flow rate above 1 l/s with pumps rated at under 30KW and more than 20 dwellings
● Type 4 pumping station: sewage pumps have a rating of over 30kW for larger commercial and residential properties. This type is not included in the Sewers for Adoption (SfA) guidelines, meaning you’ll have to consult your local authority to install one.
For reliable sewage pumping station services, including installation, repair, and sewage pump maintenance, contact H2O Flowtech. Our team ensures systems pump wastewater efficiently and provide 24/7 emergency support across Greater Manchester and North West England.
Comments