Proximity of Foul Pumping Station to Habitable Dwelling

boxtysugarbulb

I've being trying to find out if there are any national guidelines regarding the minimum required distance between a foul pumping station and a habitable dwelling and/or adjacent gardens. I've found a few references to a 15m distance in addenda to the 'Sewers for Adoption (SfA)' manual. The reference is to section 2.18 of the SfA. Does anyone have a copy of the SfA in which they could look at section 2.18 to see if it recommends a 15m separation distance itself. TIA.

rayjdav

What type of "pumping station" you on about? One off treatment system, commercial sized?????
If small unit refer to relevant EPA Treatment system CoP's, one off and small estate etc..
If this is a proposed unit, refer to the relevant Co Co file and therein you will find Engineers information about the specing of the unit and confirmation, I assume, that the unit was designed taking into consideration all aspects, including seperation, of items required?

sydthebeat

i havent heard of any specific separation distances in any applications ive been involved with for housing estates. The pumping stations and holding tanks are generally located within public areas so theres usually a manhole and or a sewerage system between any house and the station anyway.

is there a particular problem here that you need sorting?

in my own house, theres a pumping station directly across the road from my front garden.

boxtysugarbulb

Hello rayjdav

The foul pumping station (and 24hr emergency storage tanks) in question is for a proposed residential development of 30 dwellings. It's pumping to the main foul sewer in the vicinity, so no onsite treatment. Its proposed location is less than 10m from a proposed dwelling, and also bounds several residential gardens. It's basically sited for the developer's convenience rather than for optimal residential amenity. I was hoping to find some national guidelines, whether EPA or otherwise, governing the location of such stations.

boxtysugarbulb

sydthebeat, thanks for your reply.

Could you hazard a guess as to how close the pumping station is from your house, or any nearer houses? Have there ever been any problems with the station, or any noticeable smells?

sydthebeat

boxtysugarbulb wrote: »

Hello rayjdav

The foul pumping station (and 24hr emergency storage tanks) in question is for a proposed residential development of 30 dwellings. It's pumping to the main foul sewer in the vicinity, so no onsite treatment. Its proposed location is less than 10m from a proposed dwelling, and also bounds several residential gardens. It's basically sited for the developer's convenience rather than for optimal residential amenity. I was hoping to find some national guidelines, whether EPA or otherwise, governing the location of such stations.

the location of the pumping station will be dependent on the topography and site contours..... and not down to developers whims.

the station must be located at the end of the fall of the sewer system, and located within a public area.

10 m from a dwelling is definitely not uncommon. there will be a 24 hr capacity holding tank located under ground adjacent to this pump.

sydthebeat

boxtysugarbulb wrote: »

sydthebeat, thanks for your reply.

Could you hazard a guess as to how close the pumping station is from your house, or any nearer houses? Have there ever been any problems with the station, or any noticeable smells?

the kiosk is located approx 13 m from the front building line of my house... and approx 10 m from next door.

ive never notice smells from the pumping station, the only smells ive ever noticed have been from the manhole directly outside my entrance, but this was onluy noticable when standing next to it.. never noticed anything from within the dwelling.

the kiosk will be fitted with a flashing alarm light to indicate if there is a problem... the station will be managed by the management company at first, until the estate is taken in charge by the council.

boxtysugarbulb

Thanks for the info stb. In the case in point, the natural gravitational location for the pumping station would be at the opposite end of the site. That would require a layout redesign though, probably with less dwellings. That's why I consider the proposed location as more for the developer's benefit, rather than for residential amenity. Perhaps I'm being too harsh though!

sydthebeat

boxty, is this a current planning application of one which has been granted already?

the location of the station and the sewer layout will be in accordance with and approval of the local authoritys engineers. Its HIGHLY unusual that the pumping station would be located in a location that was counter productive to economic and trouble free pumping of effluent. A collection tank and pumping station will be located at the lowest point of the sewer line for the estate, and at a level that will minimize the rise to be pumped and minimum distance to the public sewer line.

If the site sloped towards the public sewer, a gravitational system would suffice.

if you want to pm me the planning file reg number and the name of the local authority i can have a quick look at it for you.

boxtysugarbulb

Thanks stb. I might give you a shout later if that's okay.