What can be flushed through a pump station, and what can’t be?

It is essential that if there is a pump station, it should be well looked after as they can be expensive to fix if anything goes wrong. Not only would your pump station have to be repaired, but flooding may also occur, and you may have to deal with water damage. Foul waste can end up where it shouldn’t be, causing a pollution problem.

Pump stations are very reliable when used correctly. This is why you should know what you’re allowed to flush through the system, and what isn’t.

If an item is allowed to be flushed down the toilet, then it can be flushed through a pump station. But many items are flushed down the toilet that shouldn’t be, even if there isn’t a pump station. Too many items are flushed down a toilet that can cause issues with the main sewer and/or local sewage treatment works.

What is not Suitable for flushing through pump stations?

 1. Wet Wipes (biodegradable and non-biodegradable)

Wipes manufactured from organic cotton or viscose that are biodegradable do not have adequate time to decompose. All wet wipes will add to the accumulation of fatbergs and other obstructions. Wet wipes should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

 2. Sanitary Products

The disposal of feminine hygiene products has been a persistent challenge for women, and it is also a concern for plumbing systems and pump stations as these products can swiftly cause pipe blockages. It is recommended to wrap tampons or pads, place them inside a small sanitary bag, and dispose of them in the bin. Sanitary products should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

3. Nappies

Nappies are likely to block the drainage system before they even get to the pump station. In the unlikely event that a nappy reaches the pump chamber, the pumps will not be able to cope. Nappies should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

 4. Contraceptives

Contraceptives are non-biodegradable. Latex causes severe problems in pump stations and the sewer network, so it’s best to dispose of contraceptives in a waste bin. Contraceptives should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

 5. Clothes & Rags

All types of cloth would block a drain quickly, but along with wet wipes, they have the biggest risk of getting blocked in the impellor of a pump. Cloths should be disposed of into a bin if they are not fit for recycling. Clothes and rags should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

 6. Cotton wool buds and Dental Floss

Typically composed of Teflon or nylon, dental floss can form massive obstructions when combined with wet wipes, paper towels, hair, and other objects, blocking pump stations and sewers, if disposed of by flushing. The stems of cotton wool buds have been known to block even the most powerful of pumps. Cotton wool buds and dental floss should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

 7. Paper Towels and Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are an obvious problem, but some people are unaware paper towels will have the same outcome. Paper towels are thicker than standard toilet paper and can easily block a drain. Paper Towels and plastic bags should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

 8. Contact Lenses and medicine

Every day, contact lenses are used by 125 million individuals globally, and as a result, billions of contacts are disposed of in drains each year. However, what many people are unaware of is that discarding these lenses through drains contributes to the generation of trillions of microplastics, which is a significant environmental issue. Contact Lenses and medicine should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

 9. Paints and other chemicals

Although the detrimental effect on a pump station isn’t obvious, the potential damage paints and chemicals would have on your local sewage treatment works would be significant. The consequences these materials would have on a private sewage treatment plant would be even worse. All the bacteria needed for treatment would be killed off quickly. Paints and chemicals should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

 10. Oil and cooking oil

If you have never seen a fatberg on television, then look it up. They are formed by a build-up of fats and oils over time and can block the biggest of drains. Oils and fats also float on the water surface in a pump chamber which over time will trap the floats causing the pumps to get stuck on or stuck off.  Oils and fats should not be disposed of into the sewer, with or without a pump station.

What can be flushed through a pump station?

Only the “three P’s” can be flushed through a toilet. Pee, Poo and Paper (and a bit of bleach).

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