A pressure sewer system is made up of four main components:
Collection Tank and Pump Unit
A grinder pump is housed within the collection tank on your property. The collection tank has mechanical and electrical parts. The collection tank is installed underground so that only the lid is visible to allow access for servicing.
Pump Control Panel or Alarm Box
The pump control panel is a small box containing all the electrical controls for the pump unit as well as the audible and flashing light alarm system (located on top of the box). Sometimes referred to as the alarm box, it has both audible and visual alarms to provide adequate warning when the pump unit needs to be serviced by Council. Power to the pump unit is sourced from your property's electrical switchboard.
Property Discharge Line
The property discharge line connects the collection tank/pump unit to the boundary kit. This is the line used to discharge wastewater from the property into the pressure sewer main in the street.
Property Boundary Kit
The boundary kit is the connection point between the property discharge line and the pressure sewer main in the street. Inside the boundary kit is a one-way valve, isolation valve and inspection or flushing point. These are to:
- prevent wastewater from Council’s pressure sewer main and other properties discharging back into your house pressure line;
- isolate the property service from the mains system. This is used to prevent your sewer pump from discharging into the sewer main enabling repairs and maintenance; and
- inspect and clean the system if necessary; and
- allow flushing the system, if required.
- under no circumstances should you operate these valves.
Other key sanitary on property services that effect the operation of the pressure sewer system are:
Inspection Shaft
The inspection shaft is a plumbing fixture that allows plumbers to inspect and service your property service drain. It is a key fixture for future inspections and maintenance works that may be required on the property. It is important that property owners maintain access to this fixture. The inspection shaft is the responsibility of the property owner.
Overflow Relief Gully – ORG
An overflow relief gully protects the interior of your home or building from sewerage overflow. It is a drain-like fitting located outside the property that is an important part of the plumbing system. In the event of a sewer blockage, the overflow relief gully is designed to release any sewerage overflow away from the interior of the building and outside to a garden or external area. It is important for property owners to keep the overflow relief gully clear and unimpeded at all times. The overflow relief gully is the responsibility of the property owner.
Property Service Drain
The property service drain is the section of gravity pipeline connecting the sewage pipe outlets from the house to the collection tank. The property service drain is the responsibility of the property owner.
Electrical Switchboard
The electrical switchboard is a standard electrical switchboard which connects the property to the power supply system. It will have a connection point and circuit breaker designated to the power supply for the on-property collection tank and pump unit. The associated power and operational costs are the responsibility of the property owner.