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The basics
What is a pump station?
In an ideal world, all drainage would run downhill and gravity would carry your waste to the sewer. That isn't always possible, and that's where a pump station comes in.
Emptying goes hand in hand with pump station servicing, and if the pumps or controls have failed we carry out pump station repairs and control panel work. Our confined space entry teams handle anything that needs someone inside the chamber.
We do this work across Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and London, with tankers and engineers in each area most days.
A pump station is a chamber, sometimes called a wet well, that fills to a set level before a pump (or pair of pumps) switches on and pushes the liquid on its way, usually to the mains sewer or to a point where gravity can take over.
You might have one pump station or two. With two, it's usually one for foul water from the house and one for rainwater.
The chamber is sized on how many people could be using it, usually worked out from the number of bedrooms. Building Regulations guidance says it should hold at least 24 hours' worth of inflow, which gives you breathing space if there's a power cut or a pump fails.
How it works
How a twin pump station works
Most pump stations have two pumps that take turns, controlled by float switches that tip up as the water rises. Watch one cycle through, or hover over the numbers to see what each part does.
- 1InletWastewater from the property flows into the chamber.
- 2Duty and standby pumpsTwo pumps take turns, so they share the work and one is always ready if the other fails.
- 3Stop floatWhen the level drops below it, the running pump switches off.
- 4Start floatWhen the water lifts it, the next pump in turn switches on.
- 5Standby floatIf the level keeps rising, it brings in the second pump to help.
- 6High-level alarm floatThe last line of defence. It sets off the alarm beacon if the level gets this high.
- 7Control panelSwitches the pumps, swaps them over after every run and shows which one is working.
- 8Rising mainThe pipe the pumps push the waste through, on its way to the sewer.
Why it matters
Why does a pump station need emptying?
A working pump station is a joy. A failed one, not so much.
Pumps are designed to move liquid and, depending on the pump, some solids. They aren't designed for everything else that ends up in there: wipes, clumps of tissue, fat, grit, and the odd toy figure your three-year-old decided to test in the toilet. All of it collects in the chamber and, left there, blocks the pumps or jams the floats that switch them on.
Replacing a pump is expensive, and your waste still has to go somewhere while it's being repaired. Daily visits from a tanker add up quickly.
Most domestic pump stations need emptying every 6 to 12 months. Busy commercial or shared pump stations usually need it more often. Regular emptying, plus a regular service of the pumps and controls, avoids most breakdowns.
Signs your pump station needs attention
- The alarm light or buzzer is on
- The pump running more often than usual, or not at all
- Slow drains or toilets in the house
- Bad smells around the chamber
- Waste backing up or the chamber overflowing
Got a flashing beacon or an alarm?
Don't panic. Call us straight away and we'll investigate. Don't try running the pumps manually or changing anything on the control panel. You can mute a buzzer for your own sanity, and keep water use to a minimum until we arrive. We're available 24/7, 365 days a year.
The golden rule
The three P's
The only things that should ever be flushed when you have a pump station.
Pee
Fine to flush, of course.
Poo
Also fine to flush.
Paper
Toilet paper only. Not kitchen roll, tissues or wipes.
Wipes, condoms, sanitary products, cotton wool and dental floss are some of the worst things you can flush when you have a pump station. They wrap around the pump's impeller and block it, sometimes beyond repair.
Lots of products are sold as flushable. They'll disappear when you flush, but they don't break down like toilet paper does. Pop them in the bin to be safe.
On the day
What happens when we empty your pump station
We make it safe
Our engineers isolate the pumps before starting work, so nothing switches on while we're in the chamber.
We empty the chamber
We pump out the liquid, sludge, rags and debris that have built up, including what's collected around the pumps and floats.
We jet it clean
We jet down the chamber walls and around the pumps and floats so they can work freely.
We check and restart it
We make sure the pumps switch on and off properly, and tell you about anything that needs fixing. You get a waste transfer note.
Why Clearmasters
Why choose us to empty your pump station?
We empty, service and repair pump stations, so the engineer who empties yours knows what a healthy pump station should look like, and can spot a problem before it turns into a breakdown.
Ask us a questionAlways on hand
Routine visits booked at a time that suits you, and 24/7 call-outs when something goes wrong.
Advice from people who know
Our office team can talk you through your system, your options and the rules, or simply get you booked in.
Trained, friendly engineers
Our engineers work with minimal disruption and are happy to answer any questions while they're with you.
Emptying, servicing and repairs
We can service your pumps and control panel on the same visit, and repair them if they fail.
What our customers say
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Questions answered
Pump station FAQs
How often should a pump station be emptied?
Most domestic pump stations need emptying every 6 to 12 months. Commercial and shared pump stations usually need it more often because they handle more waste. It depends on how much is going in, what's being flushed and the size of the chamber, and we can recommend a schedule for yours.
What are the signs my pump station needs emptying?
The pumps running more often than usual, the high-level alarm going off, slow drains, bad smells near the chamber and the level rising inside it are all signs it needs emptying and checking.
What does a pump station emptying visit include?
Our engineers make the pump station safe, empty the chamber of liquid, sludge, rags and debris, jet it clean and make sure the pumps, floats and pipework are clear. Then we check it's working properly before we leave.
Can I still use my toilets while you empty the pump station?
For most domestic pump stations, it's best to keep water use to a minimum while we're working, but the job doesn't usually take long. For commercial sites we'll agree the timings with you in advance.
What are the benefits of regular emptying?
Regular emptying stops rags and debris damaging the pumps, reduces blockages and alarms, and avoids emergency call-outs. It also helps the pumps last longer.
Do I need to do anything before you arrive?
Please make sure the chamber cover is clear and there's space for the tanker nearby. If the pump station is shared or on a commercial site, let us know when you book so we bring the right equipment.
Got a different question? Call 03333 233566 or send us a message.
Related services
Fully accredited & compliant
We're independently vetted and certified so you can trust who you're letting onto your site.
SafeContractor
Health & safety pre-qualification accreditation, verifying our processes meet recognised safety standards.
RISQS
Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme — approved to work safely within the rail industry supply chain.
Achilles UVDB
Utilities Vetting Database membership, confirming we meet the utilities sector's supply chain standards.
Trading Standards Approved
Vetted and approved under the local authority's trusted trader scheme for honesty and fair dealing.
NADC Member
Members of the National Association of Drainage Contractors, the UK trade body for the drainage industry.
Registered Waste Carrier
Registered with the Environment Agency, so your waste is handled and disposed of fully within the law.