Article
A better way to handle domestic wastewater
Domestic wastewater is something no homeowner wants to think about. Under normal circumstances, it should just disappear down the drain. But sometimes, wastewater systems can be overwhelmed, causing backflow, which can lead to loss of inventory, illness or relocation. And the horizontal pumping of wastewater over longer distances can be complicated and costly. Luckily, there are solutions to improving domestic wastewater systems.
Indoor flooding is a major cause of backflow
The number of global flooding and rainfall events has increased 50% since 1980, bringing a 72% increase in water-related insurance claims (a).
Flooding in the house can lead to serious damages and consequences for homeowners, from loss of inventory and having to relocate during renovation to the appearance of mould and illness. On top of all of that, insurance companies are often less than responsive and sometimes even refuse to cover damages.
Insufficient installations can’t cope
Flooding has three main root causes: heavy rain, burst pipes or a high ground water level. In most cases when indoor flooding occurs, the installation is ill-equipped to handle it.
What makes an installation insufficient?
Incorrect backflow prevention – If the backflow valve is installed below sewage level, it will not prevent flooding
No backflow valve is installed
Wrong dimension of wastewater system – For instance, the pit is too small to handle the load of water coming in from heavy rainfall
Undersized pump – If the pump is too small to handle the load of water coming from, for example, heavy rainfall
Reduce the risk of indoor flooding and avoid associated costs
A range of pump solutions will quickly and efficiently remove wastewater, helping to avoid contaminated wastewater in the house and up to EUR 70,000 in costs for cleaning and renovating houses after flooding (b).
At Grundfos, we have a team dedicated to developing tailored solutions for domestic wastewater applications. Here are some of our solutions designed to meet any requirements of wastewater discharge, available as both reactive and proactive fixed installations with backflow prevention:
- Modular Uno-Duo lift
- MULTILIFT
- UNILIFT CC removal of water down to 3mm
- Multi-box includes all necessary equipment for emergency
Learn more about the pumping requirements for domestic wastewater
Visit our Ecademy to learn about some pumping issues for the drainage of clean or grey water, the removal of effluent (even when containing fibres) or the handling of sewage including toilet discharge.
Sources:
(a) https://www.publichealth.com.ng/sewer-backup-health-risks-and-side-effects/
https://www.waterdamagedefense.com/pages/water-damage-by-the-numbers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrtgEwNBY7c
(b) An estimated example based on worst case scenario, where e.g. entire basement has to be renovated including walls and interior, inspired by www.xxxx
(c) Average price based on below sources:
- DK: https://www.pris-info.dk/hvad-koster-tilslutning-til-offentlig-kloak/
- US: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/plumbing/install-a-sewer-main
- DE: https://www.chefkoch.de/forum/2,27,297993/Nachtraeglicher-Anschluss-an-die-Kanalisation-was-kostet-das-in-etwa.htmlhttps://www.hausjournal.net/kanalanschlusskosten
- Pentalty: https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/umwelt-wasserverschmutzung/ and average penalties in DK for incorrect sewage system.