Lift Stations (Dosing Tanks)

Some septic systems require to have a lift station (pump tank) in order to allow water to reach the drainfield properly. This lift station contains a sewage effluent pump (most commonly a grinder pump), control floats, and a high-water alarm. The control floats are set at specific levels to control the amount effluent sent to the drainfield. When the effluent in the lift station rises to the chosen level the pump will be activated. The pump will continue to eject water to the drainfield until the float is in its deactivated state.

In some instances the float may fail to activate the pump (due to pump failure, float failure, or loss of power) when this happens the level of effluent in the lift station will continue to rise in the tank.
When this level reaches the alarm float an audible and visual signal will be activated. The high water alarm is always recommended to be connected to a separate fuse than the grinder pump.
The location of the alarm device should be known by the homeowner. The alarm device is commonly located outside by the lift station or in the home attached to a exterior wall.

Once this alarm is activated there is some emergency storage space available in the tank before the system over flows or back up into the house. The audible signal can be silenced with a switch located on the high water alarm but this will not solve the problem. If this problem ever occurs it is recommended to locate the electrical panel for the home (commonly located in a basment or garage) and varify the pump has power. It is common for a switch to trip in the electrical panel after a heavy storm. After checking the panel it is highly recommended to call a professional to correct this issue. All grinder pumps require a high amount of power to run and is very dangerous to work on due to the surrounding water.