Your Pressure Sewerage System Guide

Your Pressure Sewerage System Guide

The System The E-one Pressure Sewerage System is reliable and robust. There is very little you need to do and very little that can go wrong. Here s how it works: The new system consists of a pumping unit installed on your property which is connected to a network of pipes from other units in your area. Above ground Flow out to treatment plant Flow in from house These pipes transfer sewerage to a treatment plant which processes the sewerage into reclaimed water suitable for disposal. From ground level to the alarm level Below ground Emergency storage (approximately 24 hours) Normal operating range The alarm will sound if sewerage in the unit rises above this level Pumping unit Automatically turns itself on at this level, and operates until all sewerage has been discharged. you have approximately 24 hours of emergency storage, depending on usage. This means that even after the alarm sounds you can continue to use the system for around 24 hours provided you minimise water use during this time The System

Using the System There are a few things you need to know to ensure the system runs smoothly. The system operates like a Street Sewer Main Property Boundary Boundary Kit Discharge Line Pumping Unit Power Supply Existing Switch Board Alarm Panel Septic Tank normal sewerage system. It will take waste liquids from your toilet, sink, shower, bath, dishwasher and washing machine and transfer the waste to the local treatment plant. Existing line from household plumbing to on-site system Gosford City Council (Supply and install) Home owner (Changes connection from existing on-site system to new pumping unit) To avoid blockages and damage to the Pressure Sewerage System the following items should NOT be placed into the system. glass metal gravel or sand, including aquarium stone seafood shells socks, rags or clothes plastic nappies, sanitary napkins or tampons kitty litter explosives flammable materials lubricating oil or grease strong chemicals petrol or diesel storm water run off Using the System

What to do if the alarm sounds Firstly, you can turn off the sound of the alarm by pressing the button underneath the alarm panel. If your pressure sewerage pump unit has had a short term build-up of volume then the pump unit will automatically clear itself and the alarm will switch itself off within an hour. You will know this has happened because the alarm light will go out. If the alarm light is still active in an hour then call Gosford City Council on 4325 8222. If the alarm sounded because of a short term build-up and the system subsequently cleared itself, you should still consider what caused this to happen. The system has a built-in 24 hour emergency storage capacity so any repairs will need to be carried out within the 24 hour period. While waiting for the unit to be repaired, you should try to minimise the amount of waste going through the system. If you notice any irregularity with the unit, i.e. the alarm frequently sounding, then contact Gosford City Council and discuss your concerns with a Customer Service Officer. Press the button located under the alarm panel. This will turn off the sound of the alarm. However the alarm light will continue to be lit. Wait an hour and then check to see if the light on the alarm panel is still on. If the light on the alarm panel is no longer on then no further action is required. If the light on the alarm panel is still lit then contact Council on 4325 8222. Give the Council Call Centre operator your name, address and telephone number. Do not attempt to repair the unit yourself. What to do if the alarm sounds

Trouble shooting What happens if The system is damaged and needs repair? (e.g a pipeline breaks) If the alarm sounds, follow the alarm procedure on the previous page. If it is the discharge line, turn off the power to the pumping unit in your switchboard, report the damage to Council on 4325 8222, and minimise water usage until the unit is repaired. Make sure Council staff have easy and safe access to the pumping unit for repair. If it is a water main, turn off your water supply at the meter and contact a licensed plumber for repairs (this is the owner s responsibility). The unit becomes smelly? When operating normally there should be no noticeable odours coming from the unit. If it gets smelly the unit may need flushing. Just run clear water down your kitchen or bathroom sink for about five minutes. If the unit remains smelly, contact Council on 4325 8222. You notice wet spots around the unit or its pipes? The pumping unit and the pipeline are totally sealed. If you notice wet spots around the unit or its pipes, and there has not been any recent heavy rain, contact Council on 4325 8222. The alarm keeps going off when it rains? It means rainwater may be getting into the system and overloading it. Contact a licensed plumber to investigate. The neighbour s alarm system goes off and they are away? Call Council on 4325 8222 immediately. Do not investigate the problem yourself. There is a power failure? If there is a power failure, reduce water use as much as possible. After a power failure the alarm may activate until the unit clears itself. If the alarm remains on for over two hours after power has been restored, contact Council on 4325 8222. Trouble shooting

On your property Be aware Do not put any objects on the unit lid, e.g pot plants. Do not walk on the lid. Do not touch the valves in the boundary kit. Do not turn off the power to the pump unless in response to a broken sewerage pipe. Do not touch the vent on the pumping unit. Do not cover the pumping unit. Contact Council if you are making modifications to your home which may affect the system, e.g you are installing a spa or swimming pool. Ensure access is available to the pump unit at all times. Keep plant growth and other debris away from the unit lid. Ensure power is turned off if the discharge line is damaged. If you go on holidays, even if it is for a few days, you will need to flush the system before going away by running clear water down your kitchen or bathroom sink for approximately five minutes. This will reduce the possibility of the system becoming smelly in your absence. Take care when digging in the garden near the pump unit or near the discharge line. If you do accidentally break the pipeline, immediately contact Council and minimise the use of water in the house. Do not attempt to repair the system yourself. If you have a pool or want to install a pool or spa, contact Council for further information on 4325 8222. If you require further information on the new Pressure Sewerage System please visit the Improved Sewerage Services page on Gosford City Council s website: www.gosford.nsw.gov.au or contact Council on 4325 8222. On your property

Gosford City Council I PO Box 21 Gosford NSW 2250 Administration Building: 49 Mann Street, Gosford NSW Telephone: (02) 4325 8222 I Fax: (02) 4323 2477 www.gosford.nsw.gov.au Printed by Excell Printing Pty. Ltd. Printed on recycled paper August 2009 Gosford City Council Content courtesy of Bega Valley Shire Council