How to Calculate Capacity for Your Stormwater or Sewer Pump Station

Determining the correct capacity for your stormwater or sewer pump station is crucial for effective water management. At Pump Stations Direct, we offer Australia's first Online Pump Station Selection Tool, designed to simplify this process. This blog will guide you through how to effectively read a site plan, the steps needed to gather the right information, and how to enter the parameters into our tool. 

Step 1: How to Calculate Sump Capacity from Your Plan

Reading and understanding a construction or project plan is crucial for accurately using our tool. Here are a few tips:

• Check for Capacity Specifications: Look for sections that mention "capacity," “emergency storage," or "detention storage." In the example below, there is no capacity specified, the highlighted catchment area will need to be calculated.
• Identify Catchment Areas: Locate the areas marked for water collection, including roofs, paved surfaces, and landscaped zones. Understanding these areas helps in determining the appropriate sump capacity.
• Note Additional Requirements: Look for any specific requirements or unique installation needs. While this information may not be beneficial for calculating capacity, it may assist in determining flow rate, invert level of inlet or the rising mains pipe size, which we will explore further in the next few blog releases.

Step 2: Gathering Data for the Sump Capacity Calculator

If your plan does not specify the required capacity for sewer and stormwater pumping stations, you'll need to gather essential site parameters. This information will help the Pump Station Selection Tool calculate the appropriate capacity for your system, acting as a sump capacity calculator. Here's what you'll need:

• For Stormwater: You will need to identify 2 things: 
1. Location: Determine the state and region where the project is located, as local weather patterns influence the sump capacity.
2. Catchment Area: Identify the roof surface area, paving surface area, and any other relevant surfaces, including landscaped areas, driveways, and car parks. These factors contribute to understanding how to calculate sump capacity accurately.
• For Sewer: 
1. Population: Determine the population of the building to size the sewage holding tank correctly, ensuring it meets the demand. This step is crucial for sewage holding tank capacity calculation.

Step 3: Using the Pump Station Calculation Tool

Once you've gathered the necessary information, you're ready to enter them into our Online Pump Station Calculation Tool. Here's how:

Select Capacity Specified: If your plan specifies a capacity, simply choose it from the options provided.

If capacity is not specified -

For Stormwater (pictured below) - Enter the state and region, which helps the tool consider local weather patterns and environmental factors for accurate calculations. Next input the paved catchment area, which may include landscaped areas, car parks, and driveways, as well as the roof catchment area if required.

For Sewer (pictured below) - Enter the building's population to determine the appropriate sewage holding tank capacity. 

Step 4: Understanding Load Ratings for Lids

While not directly related to capacity calculation, selecting the correct load rating for your pump station's lids is crucial for safety and durability. The lid type, size, and load rating should be specified on the plans but if not, consider the following:

• Location: For residential areas, opt for light-duty lids suitable for pedestrian traffic. For driveways and parking lots, choose medium-duty Class B lids capable of handling vehicle traffic. For industrial zones, select heavy-duty Class D lids capable of withstanding heavy vehicles and equipment.
• Application: For stormwater pump stations, consider a grated lid to assist with surface water drainage. For sewer or stormwater pump stations, consider either a cast iron or a hinged aluminium cover.
• Opening dimension of tank: Our small-medium tanks have an opening size of 600mm x 600mm which are suitable for light-duty hinged aluminium lids (these are pedestrian traffic only) as well as grates and cast-iron covers. Our large tanks have an opening size of 900mm x 600mm, suitable for galvanised grated lids and cast-iron covers.

Calculating the capacity for your stormwater or sewer pumping station involves understanding your site plan and gathering specific site parameters. Using Pump Stations Direct's Online Pump Station Selection Tool, you can easily input this data to find the best pump station solution for your needs. This tool simplifies the selection process, ensuring your pump station is correctly sized, efficient, and cost-effective. Whether you're dealing with stormwater or sewage, our tool helps you make informed decisions, providing an efficient and tailored pump station solution. To get started on the process, create an account and receive instant online quotes 24/7.