You wouldn’t think that a pump station could be so interesting, but they are an incredible feat of engineering and an important part of any sewer system. Sewage pump stations are exactly what they sound like – a location where pumps are used to move sewage from one location to another. There are many different types of pump stations. They can be as simple as a stand-alone pump or as complex as several pumps working in tandem that share the same water source. Stay with us and get acquainted with the importance of maintaining your local sewage pump station, and why it is critical for you to do the same.

What is a Sewage Pump Station?

A sewage pump station is a mechanical device that transfers sewage from one location to another. These types of stations are often used where there are more buildings and residents on a smaller piece of land that requires more sewage treatment. While most people think of sewage being pumped from a building to a sewage treatment plant, a pump station can also be used to pump sewage from one part of a sewage system to another. Sewer systems use gravity flow; combined sewer systems; lift systems; and force mains.

Why are Sewage Pump Stations Important?

They are a critical part of any sewage system. There are two basic types of pump stations – lift stations and force mains. Both types are used in gravity systems as well as in combined sewer systems. They are very important to the sewage system because they make sure that the flow of sewage remains constant. The pumps in the station keep the system moving at a consistent rate, even if the amount of water goes up due to rain or any other external factors. The pumps can also be used to send excess sewage to another location for treatment when the volume in the system exceeds what the local treatment plant can handle. In combined sewer systems, the pump stations have the added job of pumping dry weather sewage to the treatment plant, and then sending the excess combined sewer flow to a different location.

How Can You Maintain a Sewage Pump Station?

As we have discussed above, sewage pump stations are an important part of any sewer system. To make sure that the station remains in excellent working condition, “it is imperative to maintain it� , mentioned Elliott Drainage. The following are the most important maintenance tasks to keep in mind when looking after your pump station:

•  Guarding Pump Stations: It’s important to keep guardrails or other barriers around pump stations to keep people away from the pumps and the pipes leading to them. Even small amounts of grit or other debris can cause problems with the pump and make it less efficient. It’s much easier to prevent a problem than to fix one that already exists.
• Making Sure the Pumps are Clean: You should check the pump on a regular basis to make sure that it’s clean. If there’s any dirt or grit in the pump, it can cause it to fail. A clean pump is more efficient and lasts longer.
• Keeping the Pipes Clean and Clear: The pipes that move sewage from the building to the pump station and from the pump station to the sewage treatment plant need to be kept clean and clear. If the pipes become blocked or are too full of debris, the sewage flow will be reduced or stopped completely, and the pump won’t be able to do its job.
• Making Sure the Electrical Equipment is Maintained: Maintenance of electrical equipment is a must, especially if there is an electrical failure. Electrical failure can cause many problems, including a shutdown of the sewage pump.

Bottom line

As we have discussed above, sewage pump stations are an important part of any sewer system. In order to make sure that the station remains in excellent working condition, it is imperative to maintain it. The following are the most important maintenance tasks to keep in mind when looking after your pump station: guarding pump stations, making sure the pumps are clean, keeping the pipes clean and clear, and making sure the electrical equipment is maintained.