Even the most robust flood walls and well-engineered flood mitigation schemes cannot defend against a hydraulic gradient, where water levels rise within the defended area due to groundwater emerging. They also do not prevent water falling directly into the defended area, seepage through defences, or situations where drainage becomes overwhelmed.
This is where pumps are useful, although their style and method of use can vary greatly.
A hugely popular item for flood control is a puddle pump, which can pump down to very low water levels and be moved around as necessary. The downside is that, for the most part, they require deployment and ongoing monitoring.
In certain circumstances this is undesirable. Flooding often occurs in winter, when it is cold or dark, or can last for prolonged periods of time, where an automated system can significantly reduce stress.
Packaged Pump Stations (often known as sump pumps, or sump pump kits) prove popular in these instances, particularly where it is desirable to have the equipment supplied as a kit that can be installed together.
In this case, a packaged pump station was purchased and installed within the defended area. For most of the time, a standard solid lid is fitted, meaning the chamber remains unobtrusive and the pump does not operate unnecessarily. During predicted flood events, the lid is changed to allow water into the chamber. The pump then activates automatically, pumping water out of the defended area. This minimises the need for human intervention and, with the pump located below ground, works effectively.
The chamber chosen was the: FPS Iguazu Sump 635 | Packaged Sump Pump Station | Clean Water, Grey Water & Flood Water
This system was chosen as it is great value, and the flow rate is sufficient for most scenarios. The system uses the AMA Drainer 301, which is is one of the UK’s best-selling automatic submersible water pumps, known for its versatility, reliability, and compact design. Each pump is fitted with an arm float switch that automatically switches the pump on when water is detected and off once it’s removed.
Photos are included showing the chamber, its installation, and the system in use.
The lids are not available to buy in this form. A second standard lid was purchased and modified on site by the installer. The structural elements were not removed, to maintain the lid's strength.
This setup removes the dependency on neighbours and eliminates the need for lifting equipment, plugging in pumps, moving hoses, or making decisions under pressure.
The pump manages water quietly, automatically, and early, operating only when it is required.
The system in use shows water being drawn towards the chamber and controlled, rather than spreading and ponding across the surface, which is exactly the intended outcome: collection and removal rather than reactive firefighting.
With the pump located below ground, the system remains unobtrusive in day-to-day use, with no real visible indication of flood risk management. In this instance, the outcome has been good, providing a reliable solution that reduces both flood risk and stress for a resident who cannot always respond to flooding themselves.
In property-level protection schemes, barriers may seal doors and openings, but water can still enter through walls, floors, and service routes. Measures like repointing or tanking reduce this, but rarely eliminate it entirely.
The EGO 500 SELS uses electronic water-sensing probes rather than a traditional float switch. This allows low level automatic operation in shallow sumps or tight chambers where floats may otherwise jam, or stick - whilst also not pumping as low...
If it’s a critical part of your flood resilience setup, treat it like any other critical bit of kit:
accessible, serviceable, protected, and backed‑up.
