Package Pumping Stations

When you need a pumping station

Gravity drainage needs a steady fall from the building to the sewer or treatment system. A new annex at the bottom of a sloping garden, a basement conversion or an office block built below the road can all lose that fall. A pumping station collects the waste in a tank and pumps it up through a rising main to a point where gravity can take over.

A package station arrives with the tank, pump, float and pipe connections already matched, which saves designing a chamber from scratch and makes installation quicker on site.

Package pumping stations we stock

• Vacusystem sewage pump stations: 170 litre stations fitted with a single Nocchi Biox pump, 230v, with three 4 inch inlets, a non-return valve and float switch control. The pump passes solids up to 40mm. The VS 170-B300 suits lifts up to 10m and the VS 170-B400 lifts between 11m and 20m.
• JS Box domestic pumping stations: the JS BOX 150 uses the JS150SV sewage pump for standard residential use, and the JS BOX 250 uses the JS250SV for heavier duty.
• DAB Genix: self-contained toilet units that sit behind the WC, macerate the waste and pump it through a small bore pipe (typically 32mm or 40mm) up to 10m high. The 110 models take one extra appliance and the 130 models a shower, basin and bidet. Domestic use only.

Sizing and installation points

Size the station on three things: how many appliances or people it serves, the vertical lift to the discharge point, and the length of the rising main. Long rising mains add friction, so check the pump curve rather than relying on maximum head alone. Our guide to pump discharge pipe size covers pipe selection.

Plan for a high level alarm on every station. If the pump fails or the power goes off, the alarm warns you while there is still room in the tank, and the household can cut water use until the fault is cleared. Leave clear access to the lid so the pump can be lifted out for servicing, and position the control panel somewhere dry and easy to reach.

For commercial buildings where a failure would shut the site, ask us about pump and control options before you order.

Related applications

If only part of a basement needs pumping, see basement and cellar pumps. For effluent from a septic tank or treatment plant, see septic tank pumps. Replacement pumps are in our sewage pumps range.

Frequently asked questions

What is a package pumping station?

It is a factory-built unit that combines a collection tank, a submersible pump, a float or level control and the inlet and outlet connections. It is installed where waste water cannot reach the sewer by gravity, and pumps the waste up to a point where it can flow away normally.

Do I need a pumping station or a DAB Genix unit?

A DAB Genix suits a single bathroom where the WC and up to three other appliances sit next to the unit. If you need to drain a whole house, annex or several rooms, or the waste includes a kitchen, a buried pumping station such as the Vacusystem or JS Box is the better choice.

What happens to a pumping station in a power cut?

The pump stops, so waste builds up in the tank until power returns. Cutting water use as soon as the power goes buys time. The spare capacity in the tank decides how long you have, which is one reason not to choose the smallest tank possible.

Can I install a package pumping station myself?

A competent builder or groundworker can install the tank and pipework, but the electrical connection should be made by a qualified electrician. Building control approval is usually needed for new drainage, so speak to your local authority before work starts. We can advise on choosing the right unit.