Packaged Pumping Stations are used to transfer sewage from one site to another. They can move sewage in most directions and have the power to transfer sewage uphill if required.
Designed and manufactured in-house, the Planet® Range of Package Pumping Stations are suitable for use in a range of wastewater and sewage applications, in situations where removal is not possible under gravity, such as in single dwellings, hotels, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and housing developments.
All of our Pumping Stations in the Planet® Range are BBA-approved. Giving you the reassurance that our products are of a high standard and have been assessed, tested and approved by one of the UK’s leading notified bodies.
Designed and manufactured in-house, the Planet® Range of Package Pumping Stations are suitable for use in a range of wastewater and sewage applications, in situations where removal is not possible under gravity, such as in single dwellings, hotels, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and housing developments.
With the exception of the XL/XXL models, all of our Pumping Stations in the Planet® Range are BBA-approved. This assures you that our products are of a high standard and have been assessed, tested and approved by one of the UK’s leading notified bodies.
What are the main components of a package pumping station?
Most package pumping stations consist of the same core components:
Chamber/wet well - Where waste, sewage and drainage/surface water are collected before being pumped away.
Submersible pumps - Installed within the wet well and submerged in the medium, pumping it under presser to the nearest sewer system.
Valves - Non-return valves to prevent backflow of pumped waste and gate valves for isolation and maintenance purposes.
Rising main - A pressure rated discharge pipe that exits the pumping station, carrying pumped the medium away.
Level sensor - A float switch, conductivity probe, ultrasound unit or other device that monitors liquid levels in the wet well and controls pump operation.
Flow metres - Monitors flow rate at the station's discharge point, providing data for usage reports.
How do I choose the right package pumping station for my needs?
Consider the following points:
Duty point - The optimal flow rate and head needed to efficiently handle a site's waste and surface water output, informing your choice of pump model, motor power, valve pressure rating and pipework diameter.
Pumped medium - Characteristics of the pumped medium will determine the necessary construction materials and pump type, such as a cast ion body for corrosive mediums and cutter/grinder pumps for handling fibrous solids.
Chamber storage capacity - The chamber must be large enough to house the necessary mechanical equipment and provide sufficient storage in case of a power failure so that any connected utilities can continue to be used.
How often should package pumping stations be serviced?
For traditional sewage pumping stations we recommend a service every six months to ensure all components are operating efficiently.
The optimum service and maintenance schedule for a package pumping station depends on what is being pumped and the scale of the site it is installed on.
We offer comprehensive pump maintenance packages that include servicing, monitoring and breakdown attendance to keep your station in optimal working condition. Find out more here - Sewage, Drainage & Pump Station Maintenance.
How do you service a package pumping station?
What materials are used in package pumping stations?
Package pumping stations are made up of many components that are manufactured in a variety of different materials depending on their role and place of installation.
Pump station chambers are generally constructed from an impact and corrosion-resistant polyethylene or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), float switches also tend to feature a strong polypropylene housing.
Components such as pumps and valves are typically made from cast iron and stainless steel for corrosion resistance and strength when handling and submerged in waste.
Package pumping Station FAQs
Are sewage pumping stations submerged?
Older pumping station designs traditionally contained elements that were above ground (motors/shafts etc), hence why a lot of very old pumping systems are housed in very ornate buildings or brick-built houses. The vast majority of pumping stations now, however, now are self-contained and submerged below ground.
What is a domestic pumping station?
A domestic pumping station contains the same components as a pumping station for commercial and industrial projects, but the equipment fitted within the station is more suited to handling the nature of a domestic applications.
Flows enter into the pumping station via the station's inlet sockets and the chamber fills to a key point where the integral level control/float switches are activated to alert the system that flows are present.
The level control sends a signal to the control panel and the control panel signals the pump(s) to operate, discharging the retained flows within the pumping station chamber.
Once the chamber reaches a near-empty position, the level control deactivates the pump(s) via the control panel until the system fills again and the process repeats itself.
Who is responsible for a private pumping station?
Private pumping stations remain the property of either the initial developer whom constructed the site, or the house owners for whom the pumping station serves. For larger adoptable pumping station designs, ultimately the water authority will take ownership of pumping station (adopted) when the housing development has matured / near completion yet this can take several years from the date that the pumping station initially becomes operational.
What is a package pumping station?
A package pump station is a complete unit comprising of a chamber, pumps, pipework, valves, control panel and level control pre-assembled as a complete unit. A package pumping station is primarily used in the private sector and commonly isn’t normally adopted by the water authority. Package pumping stations come in varying sizes to suit the requirements of the flow and application.
What is the difference between private and adoptable pumping stations?
Private pumping stations do not need to comply with the rules set out within the Design and Construction Guidance because they will not be adopted by a local water authority. This makes more bespoke manufacturing options available to you and reduces the installation and commissioning time.
What applications are the XL/XXL Planet Range designed for?
The XL/XXL Planet Range has a large storage capacity and the ability to discharge fluids at a reduced rate. This is vital in applications with a controlled discharge restriction, such as sewage and stormwater applications.
Surges in demand in these applications can lead to local sewer networks overflowing, but being able to store high volumes of fluid and release them at a slower rate will ensure the sewer network is not overwhelmed in high demand or emergency situations.
Such applications include:
Housing developments
Commercial buildings
Industrial settings
How much space will a pumping station take?
Our package pumping stations have the following dimensions:
Pluto Micro - 0.580m deep x 0.5m diameter
Pluto - 0.650m deep x 0.7m diameter
Mercury – 1.2m deep x 1m diameter
Venus – 2.3m deep x 1m diameter
Saturn – 2m – 4.5m deep x 1.5m diameter
Jupiter – 2.5m – 4.5m deep x 2.1m diameter
*Please allow for a 250mm backfill of concrete.
An adoptable pumping station requires a completely segregated compound area with access for future maintenance vehicles and larger plant lifting equipment. The size of the compound can vary depending upon the size of the application and which authority the development falls under.
What’s the difference between a package or private pumping station?
Private pumping stations are package pumping stations that are privately owned.
