A better way to handle domestic wastewater

Indoor flooding is a major cause of backflow

The number of global flooding and rainfall events has increased 50% since 1980, bringing a 72% increase in water-related insurance claims (a). 

Flooding in the house can lead to serious damages and consequences for homeowners, from loss of inventory and having to relocate during renovation to the appearance of mould and illness. On top of all of that, insurance companies are often less than responsive and sometimes even refuse to cover damages. 

Insufficient installations can’t cope

Flooding has three main root causes: heavy rain, burst pipes or a high ground water level. In most cases when indoor flooding occurs, the installation is ill-equipped to handle it. 

What makes an installation insufficient?

Incorrect backflow prevention – If the backflow valve is installed below sewage level, it will not prevent flooding

No backflow valve is installed

Wrong dimension of wastewater system – For instance, the pit is too small to handle the load of water coming in from heavy rainfall

Undersized pump – If the pump is too small to handle the load of water coming from, for example, heavy rainfall

Reduce the risk of indoor flooding and avoid associated costs

A range of pump solutions will quickly and efficiently remove wastewater, helping to avoid contaminated wastewater in the house and up to EUR 70,000 in costs for cleaning and renovating houses after flooding (b).

At Grundfos, we have a team dedicated to developing tailored solutions for domestic wastewater applications. Here are some of our solutions designed to meet any requirements of wastewater discharge, available as both reactive and proactive fixed installations with backflow prevention: 

• Modular Uno-Duo lift 
• MULTILIFT
• UNILIFT CC removal of water down to 3mm
• Multi-box includes all necessary equipment for emergency 

Transporting wastewater over long distances can be challenging

Legal regulations require that household drainage is connected to public sewer mains. But transporting wastewater over long distances in rural or hilly areas can be difficult. When there is no free flow to the sewer system, such is often the case with rural summer homes or houses in new development areas, there is no effective way to transport the wastewater. The average price for correctly connecting pipes to the public sewage system can be up to EUR 20,000 , and if is not done properly, fines can be significant (c). 

At Grundfos, we also deliver proven solutions designed to handle horizontal pumping at reduced installation and operation costs. With a built-in grinder system, our UNILIFT APG is designed to effectively pump wastewater both vertically and horizontally, helping lift and transport domestic sewage to the sewer mains wherever it is installed. The UNILIFT APG prevents flooding, reduces odours and can save installation time and costs. 

^Sources:

^{(a) https://www.publichealth.com.ng/sewer-backup-health-risks-and-side-effects/​
      https://www.waterdamagedefense.com/pages/water-damage-by-the-numbers​
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrtgEwNBY7c}

^{(b) An estimated example based on worst case scenario, where e.g. entire basement has to be renovated  including walls and interior, inspired by www.xxxx} 

^{(c) Average price based on below sources​:}

• ^{DK: https://www.pris-info.dk/hvad-koster-tilslutning-til-offentlig-kloak/​}
• ^{US: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/plumbing/install-a-sewer-main​}
• ^{DE: https://www.chefkoch.de/forum/2,27,297993/Nachtraeglicher-Anschluss-an-die-Kanalisation-was-kostet-das-in-etwa.html​https://www.hausjournal.net/kanalanschlusskosten​}
• ^{Penalty: https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/umwelt-wasserverschmutzung/ and average penalties in DK for incorrect sewage system. ​}