What should I look for when buying specialty pumps: sewage, effluent & booster?

Sewage ejector sizing: 1/2 HP for half-bath, 3/4-1 HP for full bathroom with shower. Always install a check valve on ejector pump discharge to prevent backflow. Booster pumps need a pressure tank to prevent short-cycling.

What are common mistakes when buying specialty pumps: sewage, effluent & booster?

Using a sump pump for sewage. It will clog, fail, and the unsealed pit allows sewer gas into the home. Installing a booster pump without addressing the root cause of low pressure (partially closed valve, corroded pipes). Skipping the check valve on an ejector pump. Sewage flowing back into the basin after each cycle is a serious problem.

Specialty Pumps: Sewage, Effluent & Booster

Overview

Standard sump pumps handle clean groundwater. But some situations require specialized pumps: sewage ejector pumps for below-grade bathrooms, effluent pumps for septic systems, and booster pumps for low water pressure. Each is purpose-built for a specific job.

What to Know

Sewage Ejector Pumps

Handle solid waste from below-grade toilets and fixtures. Grinder pumps pulverize solids; solids-handling pumps pass them whole. Sealed basin with vented lid. Required by code for any toilet below the main sewer line. Professional installation. $200-800 for the pump, $500-1500 installed.

Effluent Pumps

Pump liquid waste (no solids) from septic system dosing chambers or greywater systems. Handle small suspended particles but not solid waste. Used in mound systems and pressure-distribution septic designs. $150-400.

Booster Pumps

Increase water pressure from the street supply or well tank. Install on the main water line to boost pressure from low (20-30 PSI) to normal (40-60 PSI). Variable speed models maintain constant pressure regardless of demand. $200-600 for residential models, $300-800 installed.

Buying Tips

Sewage ejector sizing: 1/2 HP for half-bath, 3/4-1 HP for full bathroom with shower.
Always install a check valve on ejector pump discharge to prevent backflow.
Booster pumps need a pressure tank to prevent short-cycling.
Never use a sump pump as a sewage pump. Sump pumps cannot handle solids and are not sealed for sewer gas.

Common Mistakes

Using a sump pump for sewage. It will clog, fail, and the unsealed pit allows sewer gas into the home.
Installing a booster pump without addressing the root cause of low pressure (partially closed valve, corroded pipes).
Skipping the check valve on an ejector pump. Sewage flowing back into the basin after each cycle is a serious problem.
Sizing an effluent pump without knowing the septic system dosing requirements.

Bottom Line

Use the right pump for the job. Sewage ejectors for below-grade bathrooms. Effluent pumps for septic dosing. Booster pumps for low pressure after verifying the problem is not in your plumbing. Professional installation recommended for all three.