Lift Station

A lift station is a below-grade wet well fitted with one or more submersible pumps that collect sanitary sewage, stormwater, or combined flows and discharge them at pressure to overcome elevation differences. The station sits in a pit—usually 4 to 8 feet deep depending on local grades—and allows gravity lines to feed into a lower point where the pump then pushes the load upslope to a higher gravity line, treatment facility, or municipal main.

In the field, lift stations are critical where building drainage cannot flow by gravity alone because the house or development sits below the main sewer line or treatment system. You'll spec the wet well volume, pump capacity (GPM and head), check valve placement, and force main pipe sizing. Alarm floats and high-level sensors are standard; backup power or auxiliary pumps are often required by code. Overflows and bypass provisions protect against surcharge during pump failure.

Common trouble spots include clogging in the wet well from rags and debris, check valve fouling, and premature pump wear from running too long under high head. Grease and wipes are your enemies. Maintenance access—a removable top, ladder, and ventilation—makes the difference between a system that lasts and one that becomes a disaster on a Friday night.