CHAPTER THREE: Sewage Pumping.

In terms of the nature of flow in sewers, sewers may be classified either as gravity or pressure
flow systems. In gravity flow systems, wastewater flows through the sewer line from a point of
higher elevation to a point of lower elevation by the force of gravity. For pressure flow systems,
wastewater flows through the sewer line as a result of the pumping action of a pump.
3.1. Need to pump sewage.
The necessity of pumping wastewater or sewage arises under the following circumstances:
i) When same area of a town is so low-lying that it cannot be drained by gravity to
discharge into a submain or main. In such circumstances, it is more economical to pump
the sewage from the low-lying area into the upper branch or main.
ii) Pumping is resorted to at intervals for a sewage system in a flat country since laying of
sewers at the designed grade continuously all along will mean expensive excavation.
iii) Pumping is resorted to when outfall sewer is at a lower level than the body of water into
which it is to be discharged.
iv) Pumping is resorted to when outfall sewer is at a higher level than the entrance to the
treatment works.
v) When a sewer has to go across a high ridge it will be more economical to pump it into
sewers laid across the slope of the ridge at reasonable depth rather than driving a tunnel.
vi) Pumping is required to take out sewage from the basements of buildings, when the level
of basement is much lower than the invert level of sewer to which drainage connection is
to be made.
3.2. Factors complicating sewage pumping.
Pumping of sewage is not as simple as pumping of water. The following are some factors
complicating sewage pumping:
i) Sewage has foul characteristics.
ii) Sewage contains a lot of suspended and floating materials that may make running of
pumps difficult and may cause frequent clogging of the pumps.
iii) Sewage contains organic and inorganic wastes which may cause corrosion and erosion of
parts of the pumps thus reducing the life of the pumps.
iv) Sewage contains disease causing bacteria and organisms which may cause health hazards
to the persons working at the pumping station.
v) The rate of flow of sewage varies continuously and hence pumping operations have to be
adjusted accordingly.
vi) The pumps should be of high order reliability since failure of pumps will lead to flooding
which may cause unbearable nuisance.

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 3.3. Types of pumps.
The following are the main types of pumps commonly used for sewage and storm water
pumping:
i) Centrifugal pumps.
ii) Reciprocating pumps.
iii) Pneumatic ejectors/Air lift pumps.
iv) Screw pumps.
3.3.1. Centrifugal pumps.
Centrifugal pumps are most widely used for pumping sewage and storm water, as these can be
easily installed in pits and sumps. They can easily transport the suspended matter present in the
sewage without getting clogged too often. Centrifugal pumps work on the principle of centrifugal
force. They essentially consist of two main parts i.e., the casing and the impeller.

Figure showing a three-vane type impeller (Source Punmia et al., 1998).

The impeller rotates with high speed inside the casing. The commonly used horizontal axial flow
type pumps are fitted with either open or closed three-vane type impellers. The clearance
between the vanes is kept large enough to allow any solid matter entering the pump to pass out
with the liquid, thus preventing clogging. Such pumps are therefore called non- clog pumps.
Classification of centrifugal pumps.
Centrifugal pumps can be classified as:
a) Axial flow pumps.
b) Mixed flow pumps.
c) Radial flow pumps.
The classification is usually based on the specific speed at the point of maximum efficiency.
3.3.1.1. Axial flow pumps.
Axial flow pumps develop most of their head by the propelling action of the impeller vanes on
the liquid. They are characterised by a single inlet impeller with the flow entering axially. They

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are generally used for large installations with capacities greater than 2000m3/hr and head less
than 9m.
The pumps are generally of vertical type. The axial flow pumps have relatively high specific
speed ranging from 8000 to 16000. The vertical units should have positive submergence of
propeller for proper operation.
3.3.1.2. Mixed flow pumps.
The head developed by mixed flow pumps is partly by centrifugal action and partly by the lift of
the impeller vanes on the liquid. The pump has a single inlet impeller with the flow entering
axially and discharging in an axial and radial direction, usually into a volume type casing.
They are used for medium heads of 8 to 15m and for medium to large capacities. They generally
require positive submergence but may be used for limited suction lift.
3.3.1.3. Radial flow pumps
The head developed in these types of pumps is principally by the action of centrifugal force.
Pumps of this type can be obtained with either single suction or double suction inlet impellers.
The flow leaves the impeller radially and normal to the shaft axis. Radial flow pumps can be
used for almost any range of head and capacity. As a result, majority of pumps are of this type.
Single suction pumps are generally used for sewage and storm water pumping as they are less
susceptible to clogging.
3.3.2. Reciprocating pumps.
Reciprocating pumps are more or less obsolete in modern sewage pumping stations since:
i) They are liable to be clogged by solids or fibrous material, even though sewage may have
passed through coarse screens.
ii) Their initial cost is higher and efficiency is lower than those of a centrifugal pump.
However, in cases where it is required to deal with difficult sludges and where large quantity is
to be pumped against low heads, reciprocating pumps may be used after passing the sewage
through screens with 20mm spacing.
Types of reciprocating pumps.
Reciprocating pumps used for pumping sewage are generally of two types:
a) Ram type.
b) Propeller type. (Impeller type)

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 3.3.2.1. Ram type.
In the ram type reciprocating pump, a piston or plunger moves through glands displacing liquid
in a vessel. The piston is not arranged to fit closely in the cylinder. An example of ram type
reciprocating pump is the diaphragm pump.

Discharge
Plunger
Rubber diaphragm
Delivery valve

Suction

Figure showing a diaphragm pump (Source Punmia et al., 1998).

3.3.2.2. Propeller (Impeller type)
In the impeller type reciprocating pump, a multiple blade screw rotor or impeller moves
vertically into a pump-casing, causing the sewage to lift up. When the propeller rotates, these
vanes guide the flow axially along the shaft. It draws water through inlet guide vanes and
discharges through outlet guide vanes. This action is somewhat similar to that of ships’ propeller.
An example of impeller type pump is the axial flow screw pump. The efficiency of axial flow
pumps is very low, to the extent of about 25% or so. These pumps are suitable to pump large
volumes of sewage against low head.
3.3.3. Air lift pumps or pneumatic ejectors.
Pneumatic ejectors work on the action of compressed air.
Conditions where pneumatic ejectors are used:
i) Where small quantities of sewage are to be lifted from basements of buildings to a high-
level sewer.
ii) Where the quantity of wastewater from a low-lying area does not justify the construction
of a pump station.
iii) Where centrifugal pumps of smaller capacity are likely to be clogged.

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 Figure showing a pneumatic ejector (Source Punmia et al., 1998).
The pneumatic ejector consists of a cast iron chamber with a spindle having a bell at its upper
end and a cup at its lower end. Two check valves V1 and V2 are provided at the entrance and exit
ends respectively. The compressed air inlet valve V3 is operated by a lever arrangement having a
counter weight at its end. Compressed air is supplied through this valve at a pressure of about
0.15 N/mm2. The air in the chamber can escape through the exhaust.
Working principle of pneumatic ejectors.
Sewage enters through valve V1 and rises slowly in the chamber. At this stage, exit valve V2 and
air inlet valve V3 are closed. As the level rises, the air from the chamber escapes through the
exhaust. When the sewage reaches the bottom of upper cup, air inside the upper cup is entrapped.
Further rise in level of sewage makes the entrapped air to exert vertical pressure on the spindle.
Due to this, the spindle is lifted up, the lever is operated, the exhaust is closed and air entrance
valve V3 is opened. Air entering under pressure forces the sewage inside the chamber to rise in
the outlet pipe through the exit valve V2 which also opens at this stage while entrance valve V1
closes. The sewage in the chamber is then discharged.
When the sewage level in the chamber falls below the cup, the weight of sewage in the cup
causes the spindle to be dragged down. This cuts off the compressed air and opens the ejector to
the atmosphere by opening the exhaust. At this stage, valve V2 is also closed due to back

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pressure of the sewage in the rising main. The sewage now enters through the valve V1 and the
process is repeated.
Pneumatic ejectors are generally used in pairs so that when one is empty, the other is full.
Advantages of pneumatic ejectors
i) No sewer gases can escape except through the vent shafts as sewage is completely
enclosed.
ii) Operation is fully automatic and the pneumatic ejector comes into operation only when
needed.
iii) Only a few parts are in contact with sewages thus necessitating little attention or
lubrication.
iv) Pneumatic ejectors are less susceptible to clogging.
v) Screening is not required as check valves and connecting lines will pass all the solids that
enter the ejector compartment.
Disadvantage of pneumatic ejectors.
They possess very low efficiency to the extent of about 15%.
3.3.4. Screw pumps
Screw pumps are an efficient means of lifting large quantities of wastewater at low heads. For
municipal wastewater treatment plants, screw pumps offer a variety of applications ranging from
return activated sludge to stormwater pumping. Screw pumps are either open or enclosed screw
pumps.
3.3.4.1. Open screw pumps
Open screw pumps are patterned after the Archimedean screw, consisting of a tube with spiral
flights set in an inclined trough. The entire assembly consists of the spiral screw, an upper
bearing, a lower bearing and a drive arrangement. Open screw pumps are normally placed into a
concrete semi-circular open trough. The trough may be constructed at an angle of inclination of
22° to a maximum of 40°. As the pump rotates radially, wastewater is moved along the screw
axis from a point of lower elevation to a point of higher elevation.

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 Image showing open screw pumps (Source Enviropro, n.d.)
3.3.4.2. Enclosed screw pumps
Enclosed screw pumps utilize the same operating principles as open screw pumps, but are
enclosed in a tube rather than in an open trough. Two types of enclosed pumps are available
using either rotating or stationary outer tubes. Enclosed screw pumps will operate at a maximum
angle of 45° producing the shortest horizontal space requirement for a given lift.

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Image showing enclosed screw pumps (Water Online, 2017).
Advantages of screw pumps
i) Screw pumps provide great freedom from clogging as they can handle large objects.
ii) Screw pumps offer high operating efficiencies over a greater range when compared to
other pumps.
iii) Screw pumps offer variable pumping capacity while operating at a constant speed.
iv) Screw pumps require minimal maintenance and upkeep since their slow operating speeds
reduce friction that damages parts.
v) Screw pump installation eliminates need for wet well, pump house or piping.
3.4. Pumping stations.
Sewer pumping stations (also called lift stations) are used to move wastewater to higher
elevations in order to allow transport by gravity flow. Sewage is fed into and stored in a sealed
underground pit, commonly known as a wet well. When wastewater level rises to a
predetermined point, a pump will be started to lift the wastewater upward through a pressurised
pipe system from where it is discharged into a gravity manhole again. From here the cycle starts
all over again until the sewage reaches its point of destination – usually a wastewater treatment
plant.
Advantages of pumping stations
i) Sewage can be pumped automatically to higher elevations.
ii) No contact with wastewater is necessary.
Disadvantages of pumping stations
i) Very costly.
ii) Local availability of construction material and spare parts.
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 iii) Needs expert design.
3.4.1. Types of pumping stations.
There are two main types of pumping stations:
i) Storm water pumping stations.
ii) Sewage pumping stations.
Location of pumping stations.
Proper location of the pumping station requires a comprehensive study of the area to be served to
ensure that the entire area can be adequately drained.
Factors to consider when deciding the site location of a pumping station.
i) The site should be near a stream, or a nallah or a storm water drain, into which the
sewage could be discharged during emergencies.
ii) The site should be aesthetically satisfactory.
iii) The pumping station should be located and constructed in such a manner that it will not
be flooded at any time.
iv) For a storm water pumping station, the location should be such that water may be
impounded without creating undue amount of flood damage if the inflow exceeds the
pumping station capacity.
v) The station should be located in a site that is easily accessible under all weather
conditions.
3.4.2. Elements of pumping stations.
Apart from the structure of the pump house, a sewage pumping station consists of the following
elements:
i) Grit channel or detritus pit.
ii) Coarse and fine screens.
iii) Sumps or wet well.
iv) Pump room or dry well.
v) Pumps with driving engine or motor.
vi) Miscellaneous accessories such as pipes, valves, flow recorders, emergency overflows,
ventilation arrangements etc.
3.4.2.1. Pump house structure.
The pump house structure should be designed to withstand flotation forces to which it may be
subjected. The substructure of the pumping station may be of mass concrete or RCC while the
superstructure may be constructed of any material. The internal walls and floors should be
structurally designed to take the weight of machines along with a live load of 5kN/m2. The
building should be planned and designed keeping in view the future requirements. The building
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should contain wide passages, without any abrupt changes in levels. The building should possess
enough ventilation so that foul gases, moisture etc. are easily carried out of the building. The
ventilating equipment should have a minimum capacity of six air changes per hour. The
components of the building should be safe against vibrations caused due to pumping machinery.
In designing the substructure due allowance should be made for earth pressure, water pressure
and uplift pressure. In case of internal water pressure, the internal walls and floors should be
designed to bear this load. In order to minimise corrosion, it is desirable to control humidity.
Natural and artificial illumination of the interior of the building should be adequate. Dust proof,
vapor-proof, fire proof and explosion proof fixtures and luminaries should preferably be
provided. It is advisable to provide stairs instead of ladders between different floors of the
building. The use of spiral stairs should be avoided as far as possible.
3.4.2.2. Grit chamber or detritus pit.
The sewage entering into a pumping station contains a lot of indestructible solid matter such as
grit, rags, sticks, faeces etc, all of which is in suspension as long as the sewage is flowing. It is
essential to remove as much of this matter as possible before pumping so as to minimise the wear
and tear of the pump impeller and the rising main.
Grit is separated from sewage by the provision of grit or detritus pit before or after the screens. A
grit channel is a long basin with an enlarged cross-section. The enlarged cross-section results in
the reduction of velocity of flow to 0.15 to 0.3m/s. The bottom of the pit is kept below the invert
line of the sewer to allow the deposition of the grit that will not interfere with a sewage flow
through the pit.
The channel or pit should have a minimum capacity of 1% of daily dry weather flow. The
channel of pit is designed to have a detention period of about 30 seconds. The grit storage
capacity is 0.013 to 0.028m3 per million litres of sewage for 2 weeks. Two grit chambers should
be provided such that when one is in use, the other can be cleaned. The grit collected is removed
manually once a week in small installations.
3.4.2.3. Screens
After the removal of grit from the sewage, it is made to pass through screens to trap the floating
matter such as rags, sticks, papers etc.
Types of screens
There are two types of screens:
a) Coarse screen: which is made up of wrought iron bars kept parallel to each other and
having a clear spacing of 50 to 100 mm in between them. The material trapped by coarse
screen can be removed by hand raking.

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 b) Fine screens: which have an opening of less than 25mm and intercept all except very
fine particles of sewage. The material trapped by fine screens are removed by mechanical
rakes.
3.4.2.4. Sump well
The sump is designed so that the sewage can collect in it for a time till the rise in the level
operates a float-switch which starts the pumping unit and the sewage is pumped out. The
operation becomes expensive if the power unit is operated at very frequent intervals due to
smaller capacity of sump. Usually, a detention period of 30 minutes of average flow is adopted
for design. The shape of wet well and the detention time provided for sewage stations shall be
such that deposition of solids is avoided and sewage does not turn septic.
Pumping stations are provided with two separate wells:
• Wet well.
• Dry well.
3.4.2.4.1. Wet well
Wet well serves as the receiver of the incoming sewage. The wet well is provided either below
the floor of a pump house or by the side of a dry well.
Functions of a wet well.
i) The wet well acts as a suction pit from which pumps draw sewage.
ii) The wet well acts as an equalising basin to minimise the load fluctuations on the pumps.
3.4.2.4.2. Dry well
The dry well serves as the housing unit for the pumps. The dry well can also be referred to as the
pump room.
3.4.2.5. Rising mains, valves and fittings.
The pumped sewage is led to high levelled gravity sewer through rising mains. The rising mains
are made of steel, cast iron or asbestos cement pressure pipes. Generally, cast iron pipes with
flanged joints are provided. The flanged joints provide easiness in dismantling and repair of the
pumping station equipment. The length of the rising main should be kept as small as possible
because long detention of sewage in closed pipes under pressure causes their anaerobic
deterioration. As far as possible, the rising main should rise steadily from the pumping station to
the point of discharge. The velocity of flow in the rising main should not be less than 0.75m/s. At
the same time velocities higher than 2m/s should be avoided. For economic design, velocity of
0.85m/s for normal rate of pumping is desirable.
A reflux or non-return valve is fitted on the rising main, just next to the pump, to prevent a
backflow through the pump when the pump is stopped. Check valves should be provided in the

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sewer line discharging the sewage to prevent the back flow of sewage during floods in the river
or discharge area. When the pump is to be dismantled for repairs, the rising main may be isolated
by providing a hand operated sluice valve next to the reflux valve. Gate valves should be
provided on the sewer line just before the wet well and on the suction and discharge pipe to close
the flow of sewage during maintenance, inspection and repair of the pumps. For cleaning out the
rising main, chamber with hatch-boxes should be provided at intervals so that drain cleaning
apparatus could be worked through them. Pressure gauges should be installed at appropriate
positions to record the suction and delivery pressure.

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 References
Enviropro. Archimedean screw pumps. Enviropro.co.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2021, from

https://www.enviropro.co.uk/entry/38183/Spaans-Babcock/Archimedean-screw-pumps/.

Punmia, B. C., Jain, A. K., & Jain, A. K. (1998). Waste water engineering. Firewall Media.

Sewer Pumping Stations. Sswm.info. Retrieved 6 January 2021, from https://sswm.info/sswm-

university-course/module-2-centralised-and-decentralised-systems-water-and-

sanitation/further/sewer-pumping-

stations#:~:text=Sewer%20pumping%20stations%20(also%20called,known%20as%20a

%20wet%20well.

Water Online. (2017). Lakeside Screw Pumps Bring Peace. Wateronline.com. Retrieved 6

January 2021, from https://www.wateronline.com/doc/lakeside-screw-pumps-bring-

peace-0001.

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