Grinder Pump
Why a grinder pump? Simply put, wastewater will not go where you need it to, or there is no public sewer available. Grinder pumps are selected, instead of gravity sewers, when you need more freedom to run sewer up hills, through isolated flat lands, or in areas with high water tables. That’s because they work like a mini pump station, and pushes the wastewater along the contour of the land.
A complete grinder pump unit includes the pump, tank, and all controls packaged together. They grind most solids into fine particles, which then pass through the pump and smaller diameter pipe lines. Using facilities in your home automatically activates the grinder pump, which has an annual energy consumption not much more than a 40-watt light bulb. |
Grinder Pump Blockage PhotosGrinder Pump Blockage Video
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Grinder Pump Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who owns/maintains the grinder pump stations? A: The grinder pump is a pressure pipe on private property. The property owner purchases and owns their grinder pump, effective October 2022 maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. Q: What do I need to know about my grinder pump? A: All of the wastewater in your home from toilets, showers, dishwashers, sinks, etc. empties into the grinder pump station. |
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When the water in the tank reaches a certain level, the pump will turn on automatically and pump out the wastewater to the sewer system. Most of the time, you won't even notice the pump running; it produces about the same level of noise as a washing machine and usually runs for only a few minutes.
Take care not to dump the following items or materials into the sewer lines via your grinder pump:
Q: What about backups? How can we be responsible for a homeowner who may continue to use water when a pump is down, creating a backup?
A: It is in the homeowner's own best interest to call a service company as soon as possible when the high level alarm is audible. Education of the homeowner is key. In the event of an alarm condition, the homeowner should minimize use of water within the home until repairs are completed.
Q: Is this a replacement for septic or onsite treatment?
A: No, this is a collection and transportation device; it will not take the place of treatment. The sewage needs to be pumped to a sewer line or some form of treatment.
Q: What is the duration of operation per day?
A: Typical operation is between 10 and 20 minutes per day for typical residential houses.
Q: What is the flow rate of the pump?
A: The pumps operate between 8 and 15 gallons per minute depending on the pumping head.
Q: What is the size of the lines from the grinder pumps to the street network?
A: The low pressure lateral service line is typically 1 ¼ inches in diameter.
Q: What is the average yearly electrical cost to operate a unit servicing the typical single typical home?
A: A typical single family home will use 250 gallons of water per day. The pump for this home will consume about
200 KWh of electricity per year. For example, if you pay 11 cents per kilowatt hour: $.011KWh x 200 KWh = $22.00 per year cost of electricity to operate the pump.
Q: How noisy is the pump?
A: With an outdoor unit buried in the ground, you will not hear it at all if you’re 10 or 15 feet away. If you’re standing on top of it, it sounds like your washing machine when it’s running — just a hum.
Q: What if the power goes out?
A: Limit your water usage as much as possible. The tank has storage capacity and should be adequate for the short term because you are not using the dishwasher, washing machine, etc. When the power comes on again, the alarm may go off for a short time – this is normal because the water could be above the pump’s alarm level and the pump needs a few minutes to pump down the tank to a normal level. If the alarm does not turn off, contact your service repair technician.
Q: What if the alarm sounds?
A: If the alarm sounds on your grinder pump, push the silence button located on the bottom of the alarm panel. The red light should turn off. Contact your service repair technician to make them aware of the alarm. As stated earlier-in the event of an alarm condition, the homeowner should minimize use of water within the home until repairs are completed.
Take care not to dump the following items or materials into the sewer lines via your grinder pump:
- Medicines, flammable Materials, petroleum products, strong caustic chemicals, poisons, lubricating oil and/or grease, degreasing solvents, anti-freeze, fuels, paint thinner, or paint.
- Do NOT Flush the following items under any circumstance: disposable/ flushable wipes (they do not decompose), napkins, fish tank gravel, rags, socks, rubber/latex gloves, hair pins, diapers, tampons, condoms, sand or cat litter.
- Never use the sewer to dispose: Sharp objects such as fish tank gravel, broken glass,
- It is important to watch what you put in the garbage disposal since they can cause buildup or blockage. Items that impede the flow or cause buildup include: bulky food, cold grease, seafood shells, egg shells, coffee beans. Items that impede the operation of the pump include: string or rope, food storage bag, metal, glass, cloths or napkins, or eating utensils.
Q: What about backups? How can we be responsible for a homeowner who may continue to use water when a pump is down, creating a backup?
A: It is in the homeowner's own best interest to call a service company as soon as possible when the high level alarm is audible. Education of the homeowner is key. In the event of an alarm condition, the homeowner should minimize use of water within the home until repairs are completed.
Q: Is this a replacement for septic or onsite treatment?
A: No, this is a collection and transportation device; it will not take the place of treatment. The sewage needs to be pumped to a sewer line or some form of treatment.
Q: What is the duration of operation per day?
A: Typical operation is between 10 and 20 minutes per day for typical residential houses.
Q: What is the flow rate of the pump?
A: The pumps operate between 8 and 15 gallons per minute depending on the pumping head.
Q: What is the size of the lines from the grinder pumps to the street network?
A: The low pressure lateral service line is typically 1 ¼ inches in diameter.
Q: What is the average yearly electrical cost to operate a unit servicing the typical single typical home?
A: A typical single family home will use 250 gallons of water per day. The pump for this home will consume about
200 KWh of electricity per year. For example, if you pay 11 cents per kilowatt hour: $.011KWh x 200 KWh = $22.00 per year cost of electricity to operate the pump.
Q: How noisy is the pump?
A: With an outdoor unit buried in the ground, you will not hear it at all if you’re 10 or 15 feet away. If you’re standing on top of it, it sounds like your washing machine when it’s running — just a hum.
Q: What if the power goes out?
A: Limit your water usage as much as possible. The tank has storage capacity and should be adequate for the short term because you are not using the dishwasher, washing machine, etc. When the power comes on again, the alarm may go off for a short time – this is normal because the water could be above the pump’s alarm level and the pump needs a few minutes to pump down the tank to a normal level. If the alarm does not turn off, contact your service repair technician.
Q: What if the alarm sounds?
A: If the alarm sounds on your grinder pump, push the silence button located on the bottom of the alarm panel. The red light should turn off. Contact your service repair technician to make them aware of the alarm. As stated earlier-in the event of an alarm condition, the homeowner should minimize use of water within the home until repairs are completed.