Sewage pumps are designed to pump solid materials up to two inches. Sump, effluent, and utility pumps are not designed for this purpose and will fail if attempting to process these size solids.
A sewage pump works when: pumping sewage to a septic tank; pumping sewage to a sewer main; pumping distances of 750 feet or less; and there is a low vertical distance to lift the sewage (under 70 feet). Sewage pumps can also be used in clear water applications where higher gpm is required.
Like other pumps, sewage pumps come in a variety of materials of construction, sizes, and horsepower. When selecting a sewage pump, consider how many water fixture units (toilets, sinks, etc.) producing waste that will be feeding the wastewater system.
When choosing a pump, you need to determine total dynamic head (TDH), including the length of the horizontal run, and the flow rate the pump needs to handle. Once you have the flow and the head you can select a pump using a manufacturer’s pump performance curve charts.
Typically, a 4/10 horsepower pump is sufficient. But households with more than four residents may require up to a 2-HP pump. Unless absolutely needed for the application, larger horsepower pumps can short cycle and reduce the life of the pump.
Sewage pumps have two main types of impellers, deep vane and vortex. A deep vane impeller paddles the liquid and solids. Pumps with these impellers can produce a greater gallon per minute output.
A vortex impeller, located at the top of the volute (base of the pump), creates a velocity that transfers the liquids and solids as it spins. In theory, the vortex impeller is a better selection than a deep vane impeller because the solids are less likely to come in contact with the impeller.
Thermal overload protection, a feature in almost all pumps, automatically shuts off the pump at a specific temperature to avoid overheating and damaging the motor and preventing the pump from burning out if it is clogged.
The sewage basin also needs to be correctly sized. Typically, a minimum diameter of a 18x30-inch basin is required for a simplex system (adequate for most residential projects) while duplex systems (for commercial or municipal installations) need at least a 30-inch diameter.
JMI carries many brands of sewage pumps including Little Giant, Barnes, and Ion Technologies. Horsepower ranges from 4/10 to 2 HP.
As with all our pump systems, JMI’s professional staff can help you determine the correct pump for your application. Contact us at 262-253-1353 or sales@jmipumps.com.
