Grinder Pump FAQ's:
How does a grinder pump work?
A grinder pump is placed in a tank (or well) that is buried in a
convenient outdoor location on a homeowner’s property
(grinder pump units also can be purchased for inside
installation). The tank provides wastewater holding storage
capacity. When water is used in the house, wastewater flows
into the tank. When the wastewater in the tank reaches a pre-
set level, the grinder pump automatically turns on, grinds the
waste, and pumps it out of the tank via the homeowner’s on-
site sewer service line and into the public sewer system. A
grinder pump will normally run for one or two minutes and
automatically turn off when the tank is emptied. The pump is
powered by electricity and is connected to a control panel near
your electric meter.
Why do some homes/businesses need grinder pumps?
In most instances, wastewater flows by gravity from a
home/business’ on-property sewer service line to a public
sewer main where it travels to wastewater treatment plants. At
the plants, the wastewater is cleaned, disinfected and safely
returned to the environment. However, because of elevation,
gravity may not work in all instances. In situations where a
home/business’ sewer service line leaves the building at a
lower elevation than the public sewer main, a grinder pump is
sometimes used to grind and pump wastewater to the main.
Who is responsible for the grinder pump?
Most of the 1,500 grinder pumps in Montgomery and Prince
George’s Counties are on private property and therefore are the
responsibility of the property owner. The same is true for the
private sewer service line on the home or business owner’s
property. WSSC’s responsibility for sewer service begins after
the property line in the public right-of-way.
How does a grinder pump work?
A grinder pump is placed in a tank (or well) that is buried in a
convenient outdoor location on a homeowner’s property
(grinder pump units also can be purchased for inside
installation). The tank provides wastewater holding storage
capacity. When water is used in the house, wastewater flows
into the tank. When the wastewater in the tank reaches a pre-
set level, the grinder pump automatically turns on, grinds the
waste, and pumps it out of the tank via the homeowner’s on-
site sewer service line and into the public sewer system. A
grinder pump will normally run for one or two minutes and
automatically turn off when the tank is emptied. The pump is
powered by electricity and is connected to a control panel near
your electric meter.
Why do some homes/businesses need grinder pumps?
In most instances, wastewater flows by gravity from a
home/business’ on-property sewer service line to a public
sewer main where it travels to wastewater treatment plants. At
the plants, the wastewater is cleaned, disinfected and safely
returned to the environment. However, because of elevation,
gravity may not work in all instances. In situations where a
home/business’ sewer service line leaves the building at a
lower elevation than the public sewer main, a grinder pump is
sometimes used to grind and pump wastewater to the main.
Who is responsible for the grinder pump?
Most of the 1,500 grinder pumps in Montgomery and Prince
George’s Counties are on private property and therefore are the
responsibility of the property owner. The same is true for the
private sewer service line on the home or business owner’s
property. WSSC’s responsibility for sewer service begins after
the property line in the public right-of-way.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What can I do to protect my grinder pump?
A properly maintained grinder pump should be able to handle
wastewater from the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, etc. However,
some chemicals and substances can adversely impact a
grinder pump and may cause safety hazards. Please check the
labels on all chemicals before using / disposing. Also, never
pour the following items down drains or flush down toilets:
- Grease ( a byproduct of cooking that comes from meat
fats, oils, shortening, butter, margarine, food scraps
sauces and dairy products) - Explosive or flammable material
- Kitty litter
- Aquarium gravel
- Strong or toxic chemicals / caustic or poisonous
substances - De-greasing solvents
- Diapers, feminine products, or cloth of any kind
- Fuel or lubricating oil / paint thinner or antifreeze
- Plastic objects
- Seafood shells
These items can damage the grinder pump and its controls,
cause blockages and backups and may create unsafe
conditions in your lines and tank. Also, never connect a sump
pump to sewer lines. Doing so is a violation of the WSSC
Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code and decreases the sewer mains’
flow capacity while increasing wastewater treatment costs. In
the case of a grinder pump, a sump pump connected to the
sewer system may raise your electric rates and shorten the life
of your grinder pump.
What should I do with my pump when I go on vacation?
If you plan on being away for several days, replace the
wastewater in the tank with clean water to help minimize odors.
To do this, run an inside faucet for about 10 minutes – long
enough for the grinder pump to start working (you may need to
go outside near the pump and listen to verify it has started).
After the pump starts, turn the inside faucet off. The pump will
run until the tank is empty and shut off automatically. This
process will cleanse the pump and keep it filled with a
minimum amount of clean water. Remember to always leave
the power to the pump on.
| If you have any other questions feel free to contact us! |
