Pump stations: what they do and why you might need one.
Your property sits lower than the main sewer.
Or the soakaway is uphill from your house.
Or surface water needs to reach a stream that's higher than your garden.
In any of these situations, gravity won't work. Waste can't flow uphill on its own.
That's where a pumping station comes in.
What does a pumping station do?
A pumping station is designed to pump sewage or surface water to a discharge point such as:
- A main sewer
- A soakaway
- A stream
- Any other point higher than your property
It sits underground, hidden from view, and works automatically.
When waste builds up to a certain level, floats trigger the pump. The pump lifts the waste up and pushes it to where it needs to go. When the chamber empties, the pump stops.
Simple. Reliable. Quiet.
How is a pumping station sized?
Not all pumping stations are the same.
The size and shape depends on several factors:
- How much liquid or waste needs to be pumped (based on number of bathrooms and people in the house)
- The distance to the discharge point
- The height difference between your property and the discharge point
- Whether it's handling sewage or surface water
Get the sizing wrong, and you'll either have a pump that's too weak (and backs up), or one that's oversized (and wastes energy).
That's why proper design matters. Every pumping station should be calculated for your specific situation, not just guessed.
What's inside a modern pumping station?
Modern pumping stations are usually:
- Built underground in a polypropylene tank (durable and corrosion-resistant)
- Fitted with internal pipework, floats, and pumps
- Supplied with a control panel installed in an accessible place (kiosk, shed, garage)
- Equipped with an alarm (audible, visual, or both) to alert you if something goes wrong
The alarm is a safety feature. If the pump fails, the floats jam, or the chamber fills too high, you'll know about it.
What if you're not home when the alarm sounds?
That's the worry, isn't it?
If you're away, at work, or simply don't hear the alarm, the problem could get worse.
That's why ASL Limited can install an SMS service.
If the alarm is triggered, a text message is sent straight to your phone.
No guessing. No surprises. You know immediately if there's a problem, and you can call an engineer before it becomes a disaster.
How often does a pumping station need servicing?
Once a year is the standard recommendation.
During a service, the engineer will:
- Check the floats are working smoothly
- Clean the pump impeller and remove any blockages
- Test the non-return valve
- Inspect the control panel and electrics
- Make sure the alarm is functioning
Regular servicing catches problems early, before they become expensive failures.
What happens if a pumping station breaks down?
If the pump fails or gets stuck, waste backs up into your property.
Sewage can overflow into bathrooms, kitchens, or gardens.
Surface water floods garages or basements.
It's messy, costly, and stressful.
That's why regular maintenance and an SMS alarm service are worth every penny.
Do you have a pumping station, or think you might need one?
📞 Call ASL Limited on 0800 181 684. The system will be checked, serviced, or designed properly to suit your property.
We cover Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, West Sussex and South West London.
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