Custom Pump Stations
Custom Pump Stations
Background
Ecoflow Custom Pump Stations are an ideal solution for commercial applications characterised by higher flows than what is typically experienced in a single family residential application.
Custom Pump Stations utilise the same high performance and reliable E/One Extreme Grinder Pump but often in multiple configurations (duplex, quadplex) and in a larger tank. The number of grinder pumps is selected to mitigate peak flows as well as extend service intervals by sharing operational duty. The tank is sized to help buffer peak instantaneous inflows as well as provide sufficient storage to comply with customer or regulatory requirements.
Applications
In New Zealand, Ecoflow have installed custom pump stations into many common and unique applications including:
Schools | Hotels | Cafes | Restaurants | Brewery | Public Toilets | Campgrounds | Warehouses | Offices | Maraes | Airports | Retail | Car Washes | Community Halls | Movies Studio | Manufacturing | Zoos | Hospitals | Prisons | Winery | Ports | Tourism Outlets
Multi-Residential
In addition to the commercial applications, Ecoflow Custom Pump Stations may also be used in multi-residential applications. Most commonly, these are utilised in townhouse or terracing housing applications where there is limited available space for individual grinder pump stations for each property.
Ecoflow strongly recommend that system designers, engineers, and other stakeholders consider individual grinder pump stations prior to exploring Multi-Residential Custom Pump Stations. While on the surface, having fewer pump may seem like the “right” ideal, it may introduce more risk, complexity, and cost when all is said and done.
Pros
Manage space/land constraints
Centralise maintenance
Simplified dedicated/metered power
Cons
Ownership and operations complexity
Regular preventive / proactive maintenance required
More suseptible to inflow/infiltration
May need to comply with local “pump station” technical standards
Ecoflow Custom Pump Stations when used in Multi-Residential applications can be a great solution. However, there are a few technical and logistical elements to resolve before proceeding:
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Who owns the pump station and is responsible for operational costs (including cleaning, repair, and replacement)?
Oftentimes in Multi-Residential, a body corporation, owners association, or the local council will be responsible. Make sure this is understood and resolved before proceeding.
Ecoflow does recommend regular preventive maintenance (inspection, cleaning, etc.) of Custom Pump Stations - especially when used in Multi-Residential applications.
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Who is responsible to contact a service agent when there is a fault at the station? Do they know who to contact?
Ecoflow recommends that systems in multi-residential applications are configured with a remote monitoring system that can automatically notify the service entity if there is a fault on site. Additionally, there should be posted signs or instructions for users to contact either the body corporate or service provider should there be any issue that needs to be attended.
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How will the Custom Pump Station be powered?
With typical residential pressure sewer units (where each home or unit has its own system) the power is supplied from the invidiual homeowner through a dedicated circuit. The homeowner is responsible for paying for the power that their unit uses.
With a shared unit, there should be a separate dedicated power source. Sometime, the local council may require this to be metered as well.
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How will the users know what they should and shouldn’t flush into the system?
Long-term and reliable system operation is achieved by limiting user abuse to the system. There is nothing that cannot be flushed into an Ecoflow system that shouldn’t be flushed into ANY sewerage system. Keeping wipes, fat, and other debris out of the system will keep operations costs down, avoid unexpected maintenance, and eliminate unplanned downtime.