With the advent of modern packaged pumping stations, it is often possible to connect to a main sewer, even if the sewer is located some distance away.
Pumping equipment is generally very reliable, and pipeline is manufactured in long flexible lengths. A typical installation consists of a pumping chamber which has a holding capacity of 24 hours of sewage from the associated dwelling; two pumps mounted on quick-release brackets to facilitate ease of maintenance; associated valves to prevent sewage flowing back into the chamber once it has been pumped away.
Operation of the pumps is fully automatic, with the two pumps running alternately. The pumps self test every 24 hours, and if a fault develops in one pump, the second pump takes over and an alarm is raised, usually in the form of a flashing beacon.
The biggest problem with the operation of any pumping station is the lack of respect for what pumps can do. With minimal annual servicing and maintenance a good quality pump will operate satisfactorily for up to 15 years, and will deal with all the day-to-day stuff that is flushed down the W.C. They are not designed to pump used razors, bath towels, plastic bottles or coke cans, although our engineers have pulled out many of these items from the inside of sewage pumps over the years.
