Why Pressure Sewer
Pressure sewers are wastewater collection systems that are easier to install and more resilient. They protect the environment and public health for years to come.
Pressure Sewer Systems - Efficient, Reliable, and Future-Ready
Wastewater treatment and infrastructure is an essential part of any community. However, traditional gravity sewer systems are not the most appropriate or cost-effective solution in difficult ground conditions. Fall requirements to maintain adequate flow by gravity may require deep excavations in hilly or flat terrain, adding to the risk of hitting rock or groundwater as well as the addition of expensive pump stations. Gravity sewers are also prone to stormwater and groundwater infiltration that strain the systems - especially during wet weather events. This can cause sewage overflows that close swimming beaches, risk public health, and impact the environment. If only there was a better way…
There is. Ecoflow is New Zealand’s leading supplier of Pressure Sewer Systems. And with the use of the global market leading grinder pump (E/One), Pressure Sewer Systems provide a far more reliable, resilient and controllable transfer of wastewater from the household to the treatment plant than conventional methods.
What is a Pressure Sewer System?
A Pressure Sewer System is a wastewater collection system designed to transport wastewater from the source to a treatment solution. Pressure sewer systems are often used on the fringe of existing wastewater collection systems where a council or utility has not extended the service. The system is comprised of a small-diameter (40mm+) pipe network that is located if the berm, footpath, or roadway. Since the network is pressurised, no grade or slope is required. It can be installed shallow and accessible for future maintenance needs. The pipe network is also fully sealed and prevents groundwater and stormwater inflow or infiltration into the network. Keeping these flows OUT of pressure sewer systems is one of the major reasons why communities services with pressure sewer systems do not have issues with wastewater overflows during wet weather events. Those overflows common in gravity sewers can contribute to beach closures and other public health issues. What makes the pressure sewer system possible are the Grinder Pump Stations. These purpose-build units macerate and pressurise wastewater from each home or business and discharge the pressurised wastewater into the small-diameter pipe network. A properly designed and installed pressure sewer network is a cost effective and environmentally sensible solutions for communities across New Zealand and around the world.
How Do Pressure Sewer Systems Work?
Pressurised systems use specially designed grinder pumps that reduce any solids into a slurry, which is then pumped into the network. Because transport of sewage is done under pressure, the pipe network can follow the contour of the land at shallow depth. Each household has a grinder pump which does little work, on average only 20 minutes/day of pumping. This is how we get such great longevity out of the wearing parts. Serviceability of the grinder pump network is easy, all grinder pumps are identical and interchangeable. Grinder pumps typically run to failure and service interval varies based on usage. It’s important to keep debris out of the system like wipes and fats. That will help extend the service interval. But if there is a problem, Ecoflow is here to help!
The benefits of pressure sewer systems
Pressure sewers present a compelling financial and technical benefit to all these common gravity sewer challenges:
Flat - gravity sewers installed in flat regions often end up very DEEP to maintain adequte grade or fall. Constructing a deep gravity sewer is EXPENSIVE and DANGEROUS. Maintaining that deep sewer is equally expensive and dangerous.
Wet - gravity sewers installed in wet regions often face many of the same challenges as flat areas - but the issues are magnified with the need to DEWATER during construction. Plus - that sewer is often at risk of INFLOW and INFILTRATION over its life.
Rocky - gravity sewers must be BLASTED, DRILLED, or JACK HAMMERED into rocky areas. That is expensive and risky.
Hilly - gravity only moves in ONE DIRECTION. This often results in MAJOR and CRITICAL lift stations at the bottom of hills.
Watch our video below about how Pressure Sewer Systems work:
Want to find out more? Download our product Technical specification guide.
