Water, Sewer & Septic

Sewer Lift Station and Grinder Pump Design

Design of pump stations and grinder pump systems where sewage cannot flow to the sewer by gravity. Typical US fees run $3,000 to $150,000, and most projects take 2 weeks (grinder pump) to 6 months (lift station). Our drawings, calculations and reports are sealed by a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in the state where your project is located, ready for permit submission.

Typical US fee$3,000 to $150,000

Typical timeline2 weeks (grinder pump) to 6 months (lift station)

Permit drawingsSealed by a PE

What the work involves

When a building or development sits lower than the available sewer, an engineer designs a pumped system: a grinder pump for one building, or a lift station with a wet well, duplex pumps, controls, alarms and a force main for many. Municipal stations require redundancy, emergency power provisions and approval by the utility and often the state. Engineers also evaluate aging stations that run constantly, clog or overflow.

When you need it

Building or lots lower than the gravity sewer
Utility requires a pump station for a development
Existing station failing, overflowing or at capacity
Low pressure sewer system planned for an area

What you receive

Pump and wet well sizing calculations
Station and force main plans
Controls and alarm coordination
Permit applications and approvals

What drives the cost

Estimate. A single-home grinder pump connection plan is a few thousand dollars; a municipal or subdivision lift station is a major design project.

Frequently asked questions

How much does sewer Lift Station and Grinder Pump Design cost?

Across the US, sewer Lift Station and Grinder Pump Design usually costs $3,000 to $150,000. Estimate. A single-home grinder pump connection plan is a few thousand dollars; a municipal or subdivision lift station is a major design project.

How long does sewer Lift Station and Grinder Pump Design take?

Plan on 2 weeks (grinder pump) to 6 months (lift station) from signed proposal to stamped deliverables, longer if a site visit, soil testing or a permit review cycle is involved.

Do I need a licensed PE for sewer Lift Station and Grinder Pump Design?

In most US jurisdictions, yes. When the work needs a permit, the plans, calculations or report usually must be sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the state where the project is located. Every deliverable we issue for permit is sealed that way.

Will I also need a electrical engineer?

Sometimes. Depending on the site, sewer Lift Station and Grinder Pump Design can also involve a electrical engineer, utility company or plumber. We tell you up front which other professionals your project needs and coordinate with them so the drawings agree.

Who do you provide sewer Lift Station and Grinder Pump Design for?

Most of our clients for this service are developers, municipalitys, homeowners and business owners. Describe your project and one of our engineers will reply with scope, fee and schedule.

What is the difference between a grinder pump and a lift station?

A grinder pump serves a single building and macerates waste into a small pressure line. A lift station serves many connections with larger pumps and a wet well.

What happens in a power outage?

Pumped systems stop. Designs include storage time, high level alarms and, for larger stations, standby generators or portable generator connections.

Who maintains a pump station?

Private systems are maintained by the owner or HOA. Stations dedicated to the public are maintained by the utility after acceptance.

Why does my lift station run constantly?

Common causes are worn pumps, stuck check valves, failed floats or groundwater and stormwater leaking into the sewer (infiltration and inflow). An engineer or pump service can diagnose the cause.

Sources

epa.gov