Berger Homes has solved the difficult problem of managing the raw sewage at its new residential development in London, with the installation of a Grifter Packaged Pumping system. 

Installed in a compact, insulated, glass fibre, reinforced, plastic kiosk situated alongside the new building, the Grifter Packaged Pumping system remains extremely quiet in operation.  Waste from eight people, four washing machines and associated grey water is directed to the holding tank and the pump is then triggered when the influent reaches a pre-determined level set by float switches.  The entrained solids are effectively macerated and wastewater is pumped to the main sewer at a capacity of 1.8m3/h, with the Grifter automatically switching off when the stop level is reached.

The flexibility of the pumping system meant that two potential problems were overcome.  Apart from the difference in level between the building and the nearest available sewer, the block of flats was built directly into the hillside and bounded on one side by a retaining wall.  The small bore pipe used, made breaching of the wall, subsequent routing and connection to the mains sewer simple and faster than conventional methods.

Other benefits of the Grifter Packaged Pumping system included low installation costs, as it was delivered to site ready to install and the only site preparation necessary was the provision of a suitable hole, foundation slab and power supply.

Commenting on the installation, Berger Homes Director Geoffrey Berger said, "We chose Mono's Grifter Packaged Pumping system having been more than satisfied with a previous installation on another of our nearby apartment blocks.  An important factor was the low noise level produced by the system and both we and the residents are very satisfied with its operation".

The pumping system was installed by Mono's Projects Installation Team, giving Berger Homes the added benefit of design, supply, manufacture and installation of equipment from an experienced single souce supplier.