Expert Sewage Pump Solutions by CPD Waste Water Ltd

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If your property is low-lying or located far from the main sewer system, it’s essential to have a sewage pump, sump pump, or sewage treatment plant in place. These systems are crucial for managing wastewater effectively—but they also require regular maintenance to keep running efficiently.

Because these systems often deal with oils, fats, and other waste materials, buildup over time is unavoidable. Even the most reliable setup can experience issues if not properly maintained.

To avoid costly breakdowns and extend the life of your system, we recommend a professional service every six months. Regular maintenance helps identify potential problems early, keeping your system in top condition and your property protected.

Sewage and sump pump maintenance should only be carried out by a trained professional. These systems are critical to preventing flooding and managing waste, so regular servicing is essential to ensure they continue to operate efficiently and reliably.

• Removal of fat and waste build-up from around pumps, inlets, level controls, and pump guides
   
• Inspection of all pipework, non-return valves, and guide rails
   
• Removal of the pumps to inspect the impeller, bearings, oil levels, and cable entry seals
   
• Visual inspection of all cables and level control devices
   
• Full functional testing of the system to confirm correct operation
   
• Electrical safety testing to ensure the system is operating within safe parameters
   

Regular servicing helps prevent costly failures, extends the life of your equipment, and ensures compliance with environmental and safety standards.

We recommend servicing your pump system at least every 6 months.

While toilet paper and human waste are designed to break down easily in your sewage system, many everyday items—even those labeled biodegradable—can cause serious problems. These materials often break down too slowly, leading to blockages, pump failures, and costly repairs.

To protect your sewage system, never flush the following items:

• Cleaning wipes / Wet wipes (even “flushable” ones)
   
• Sanitary products (tampons, pads, etc.)
   
• Paper towels
   
• Cotton buds (Q-tips)
   
• Dental floss
   
• Nappies / Diapers
   

Tip: If it doesn’t break down as easily as toilet paper, it belongs in the bin—not the toilet.

Taking a few simple precautions can help you avoid emergency call-outs and extend the life of your system.

In short: it’s best to avoid using bleach.

Sewage treatment plants rely on natural bacteria to break down waste through a biological process. Harsh chemicals like bleach can kill these beneficial bacteria, disrupting the treatment process and potentially causing system failure.

While the occasional small amount may not cause immediate harm, regular use of bleach or strong disinfectants can have a significant negative impact over time.

If you have a treatment plant, look for cleaning products specifically designed to be septic- or treatment plant-safe. These products are formulated to be effective while remaining gentle enough not to harm the essential bacteria in your system.

If your property is equipped with a sump pump, sewage pump, pumping station, sewage treatment plant, or septic tank, it’s essential that you're aware of how these systems work and what’s required to keep them operating efficiently.

• System Identification: You should know which type(s) of wastewater system the property uses.
   
• Maintenance Requirements: These systems require regular professional maintenance to remain in good working order.
   
• Recognising Issues: Be alert for signs of malfunction such as unusual smells, noises, slow drainage, or visible overflow.
   
• Who to Contact: In the event of a system issue or failure, you must report it immediately to your landlord or property manager, who will arrange for a qualified technician to inspect and resolve the problem.
   

Proper use and timely reporting help avoid costly damage and ensure the system continues to operate safely and effectively.  

Even though you don’t own the sewage pump, sump pump, pumping station, or sewage treatment plant, you still have a responsibility to use the system correctly and help prevent malfunctions or contamination.

Improper use can lead to serious issues—including system failure—which may disrupt your daily activities such as using the toilet, sinks, showers, and washing machine.

• Using the system correctly – Only flush toilet paper and human waste. Avoid pouring fats, oils, or harsh chemicals down the drains.
   
• Reporting any issues promptly – If you notice unusual smells, noises, or slow drainage, inform your landlord or property manager immediately.
   
• Following any system guidelines provided – This may include using treatment plant-friendly cleaning products or avoiding excess water usage during certain times.
   

By understanding and following these responsibilities, you help ensure the system runs smoothly—and avoid the inconvenience of breakdowns. 

The cost of replacing a sump pump, sewage pump, air pump, or any other component of a sewage treatment plant can vary depending on several factors, including:

• The type and size of the pump
   
• The make and model required
   
• Site access and installation complexity
   
• Whether additional repairs or upgrades are needed
   

Because of these variables, we’re unable to provide a fixed price without first assessing your specific situation.

Get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to discuss your options and provide a tailored quote based on your system and needs. 

The cost of running a sewage pump, sump pump, or treatment plant can vary depending on several factors, including:

• The size and type of pump or compressor
   
• Whether the system runs continuously or on a timer
   
• The number of pump station start-ups per day
   
• Your electricity tariff rate
   

A typical small home treatment plant with a single compressor running continuously (24/7) and using around 80–100 watts of power will cost approximately:

£0.80–£1.00 per day
(based on current average UK electricity tariffs)
 

Running cost calculations for sewage pumps are more complex, as they depend on usage patterns, pump efficiency, head height, and flow rates. To provide an accurate estimate, we’d need more specific information about your system.

If you’d like help estimating the energy usage of your system, feel free to get in touch, and we’ll be happy to assist.  

A properly functioning sewage treatment plant should not emit unpleasant odors. If you notice a foul smell coming from your system, it’s usually a sign that the biological process has broken down.

Several factors can cause this, including:

• Disruption of the beneficial bacteria
   
• System overload or blockage
   
• Mechanical failure or damaged components
   

If you detect persistent odors, it’s important to have a trained professional inspect your system promptly. Early diagnosis and repair can prevent more serious problems and restore your treatment plant to full operation.

Sewage and sump pumps can fail for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is blockages caused by non-biodegradable products entering the system.

These pumps are designed to handle only:

• Foul water
   
• Human waste
   
• Toilet paper
   

Anything else can cause blockages and damage.

• Cleaning / Wet wipes
   
• Sanitary towels
   
• Tampons
   
• Paper towels
   
• Cotton buds
   
• Dental floss
   

Important: It’s a widespread misconception that cleaning/wet wipes labelled biodegradable can be flushed. While they are biodegradable, they break down over a much longer time frame than the sewage system allows. This means they can cause blockages and pump failures.

To avoid expensive repairs, please only flush toilet paper and human waste. All other items should be disposed of in the bin.

The General Binding Rules (GBRs) came into effect on 1st January 2015 to regulate small sewage discharges from Septic Tanks and Sewage Treatment Plants in England.

• If your septic tank discharges directly into a watercourse (such as a ditch, stream, or river), you must take action by 1st January 2020 to comply with Environment Agency regulations.
   
• Homeowners selling properties with septic tanks that discharge into watercourses are required to replace or upgrade their drainage system before the sale.
   
• Under the Environment Agency’s new Code of Practice, homeowners are legally responsible for the choice, installation, and maintenance of their wastewater systems. You must minimise the environmental impact of your sewage waste if it is managed on your property.
   

All septic tanks that currently discharge into a watercourse must either:

• Be replaced with a sewage treatment plant that has full BS EN 12566-3 certification, or
   
• Have the discharge to the watercourse stopped and redirected to a drainage field designed and constructed according to BS6297:2007 standards.