The Effect of Seawater on Sewer Pump Stations

Waste water travels through a sewer pump station on its way back to whatever body of water it came from. In areas where there is an ocean or salt water source, these pump stations can receive heavy damage when they come into contact with saltwater.

Process

• The water that you flush down the toilet is not salt water, so it does not have a effect on the pumping stations. However, floods or high waves can cause the salt water from the sea to enter the pumping station and this can have a big effect on the pumps.

Signifcance

• The pumps are made out of metal and are made to pump out freshwater. If these pumps come into contact with salt water, then the salt not only hits the pumps outside, but is carried through the piping as well. This can cause serious rusting of the pumps and its components.

Considerations

• To keep saltwater from reaching sewer pump station's inner workings, the pumps are often shut down during times of high waves. This can lead to waste water overflowing into the ocean, causing beaches to be closed.