What Information Is Needed Before Starting Pump Station Design?

Before an adoptable pumping station can be designed, the project team needs to establish what the station will be required to do and how it fits into the wider development.

The difficulty is that some of the information needed for the pumping station design may still be evolving. Drainage layouts, sewer levels, rising main routes and even the intended adopting organisation can change as the project progresses.

If those changes are not coordinated, they can affect pump selection, wet well dimensions, civil works and technical approval.

For developers, consultants and groundworkers, the aim is to identify the key design information early, while there is still flexibility to accommodate the pumping station requirements.

What information is needed to design a pumping station?

The main information required before progressing an adoptable pumping station design includes:

• Development details: Site location, number of properties, development type and any future phases.
• Drainage drawings: Proposed foul drainage layout, incoming sewers and connection points.
• Site levels: Ground levels, incoming sewer invert levels and proposed discharge levels.
• Design flows: Expected wastewater flows and any permitted discharge restrictions.
• Rising main details: Proposed route, approximate length, levels and discharge location.
• Adopting organisation: Intended Water Authority or New Appointment and Variation (NAV) provider.
• Site constraints: Available space, access, underground services and electrical supply.
• Project programme: Design, approval, construction and commissioning timescales.

Not everything needs to be finalised before an initial technical discussion. However, identifying what is available and what still needs to be confirmed can help prevent assumptions from becoming problems later.

Why drainage drawings and site levels matter

Drainage drawings are among the most important starting points for pumping station design.

The incoming sewer invert levels influence the wet well depth, pump operating levels and available storage. The proposed rising main route affects the hydraulic head the pumps must overcome.

Changes to either can influence:

• Pump duty and equipment selection.
• Wet well and valve chamber arrangements.
• Emergency storage requirements.
• Rising main diameter and hydraulic performance.
• Civil construction and installation requirements.

The problem often arises when the civil design progresses around assumed pumping station requirements that have not yet been checked.

At Advantage, we work alongside drainage consultants and groundworkers to review these interfaces before the design becomes difficult or expensive to change.

Hydraulic and adoption requirements should be established early

The pumping station design also needs to account for the expected wastewater flows and the requirements of the future asset owner.

For adoptable pumping stations, Water Authorities can apply approved Local Practices alongside the national Design and Construction Guidance, while NAVs may have their own technical and operational requirements.

These can affect:

• Pump selection and discharge rates.
• Wet well and emergency storage design.
• Rising main requirements.
• Mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Telemetry and controls.
• Access, maintenance and technical submissions.

Where the adopting organisation has not yet been confirmed, it is important to understand which options are being considered.

A change in adoption requirements later in the project may affect more than the technical paperwork. It can require revisions to equipment, hydraulic calculations or infrastructure that has already been designed.

Explore Water Authority & NAV Pumping Station Guidance

What if some design information is missing?

It is not unusual for developers to approach a pumping station specialist before every drawing or calculation is complete.

Early involvement does not mean the full detailed design needs to begin immediately.

An initial review can help establish:

• Which information is needed to progress the hydraulic design.
• Whether the proposed pumping station location is suitable.
• Which site levels or discharge details need confirming.
• What the intended adopting organisation will require.
• Who is responsible for providing outstanding information.
• Which decisions need to be resolved before procurement or construction.

This can help the wider project team plan the design and technical submission process without introducing unnecessary complications.

See how this works in practice

At Barratt Homes’ Thornberry Gardens development in Dinnington, Advantage delivered adoptable foul and surface water pumping stations serving 152 homes.

During the project, the adopting authority changed to Independent Water Networks Limited (IWNL), requiring the pumping station designs and technical submissions to be reviewed against revised requirements.

Our team worked alongside Barratt Homes, consultants and contractors to coordinate the necessary changes while keeping the project moving.

The pumping stations were installed and commissioned within the agreed programme.

The project demonstrates why adoption requirements and design information need to remain coordinated throughout the development, particularly when important project decisions change.

Read the Thornberry Gardens Case Study

Working on a pumping station design?

You do not need every detail finalised before speaking to Advantage.

If the drainage design is progressing but the pumping station requirements have not yet been fully established, our engineers can help identify the information needed and work alongside your consultant and groundworker to coordinate the next stages.

Discuss Your Pumping Station Design

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