In amongst glossy photos and comparisons online, we wanted to show a real-world example of how water pumps can make all the difference.
Before delving into this case study, it helps to give a quick overview of how drainage works.
For most homes in the UK, drainage is what’s called gravity drainage. This means the drainage runs from a high point down toward a sewer that sits lower underground. The sewer then carries surface water to a discharge point such as a stream, ditch, or SuDS scheme. If it is foul water, it will usually run to a pumping station, where it is pumped onward to a treatment plant.
In certain cases, gravity drainage isn’t possible. This happens where the area that needs draining is lower than the sewer or connection point. For example, if you wanted to install a toilet in a basement, it would likely need to be pumped up to the sewer via a small chamber. The same principle applies to surface water.
This project involved exactly that kind of challenge. The area in question sat in a low point that regularly suffered from ponding and surface water flooding. In extreme cases, water could reach the doorway, which had to remain zero threshold for accessibility.
That meant any proposed solution needed to protect the building while respecting the occupants’ needs.
Every winter, the owners resorted to sandbags in an effort to keep the water out, but it was only ever a temporary fix.
A pumped surface water drainage scheme was proposed because gravity flow wasn’t an option.
As part of the design, a new gulley pot was installed for the downpipe, which previously had no proper connection and discharged straight to the ground, worsening the problem. Alongside this, a channel drain was fitted across the low-lying area to collect runoff.
Both of these now feed into a Packaged Pump Station, which discharges the water safely away from the property.
To ensure reliable operation, calculations were run to keep the pump working within the midpoint of its pump curve (see our last blog on pump curves). This ensures the pump runs efficiently and effectively for maximum reliability.
The chosen setup uses an Iguazu Sump Foul | Packaged Pump Station (Hippo 50) chamber fitted with an EVAK Hippo 50 automatic pump, operating on standard 230v electrics and plugged into an external socket.
Top Tip: If you are installing a system like this yourself, or having one fitted, always feed the electric cable through a conduit. It makes future pump replacement much easier if ever required.
You’ll see in the image below the two 110mm connections feeding into the chamber, one from the channel drain and one from the gulley pot.
The system uses Suction Delivery Hose 50mm, available on our website along with hose tails and clips. It’s a simple but highly effective setup that has significantly reduced the flood risk to the property and improved its usability. This can be buried for a discreet installation.
The key component here is that the pump is automatic. A manual pump would need to be switched on and off each time and monitored while in use.
An automatic pump, once powered on, activates itself as the water level rises and switches off again as it falls. With suitable maintenance, this system is effectively passive and operates only when required.
The pump includes a float switch that controls operation and a non-return valve to prevent backflow into the chamber.
It’s vital when installing a pumped system to know exactly where the water will discharge and ensure that the necessary permissions are in place.
In this case, the discharge was to a ditch within the property boundary. Because the ditch sat higher than the affected area, a pumped system was the only viable solution.
The installation is neat and discreet, with only a black inspection chamber lid visible at ground level. The chamber itself is buried underground. The drains collect the water and feed it into the chamber. As the chamber fills up, the automatic float switch turns the pump on, and the pump discharges the water into a drainage ditch.
If you prefer an even more subtle finish, such as in a block-paved area, a recessed lid can be added to your order for a completely hidden appearance.
This setup has become increasingly popular within Property Flood Resilience because it automates flood management. During a flood event, the system operates on its own without manual intervention, offering a much more dependable and stress-free solution.
The system is inspected and maintained annually to ensure continued performance.
This case study highlights how a thoughtfully designed pumped drainage system can completely transform a problem area. It shows another practical use of the Iguazu Packaged Pump Station and demonstrates how modern water pumps can integrate seamlessly into homes.
In a world of online competition, we wanted to share real-world examples like this, supplied by floodandwaterpumps.co.uk, to show the difference the right equipment can make.
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