Sewers drain primarily using gravity, supplemented by pump stations where necessary.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Gravity Flow: The majority of sewer systems rely on gravity to transport wastewater. Pipes are laid at a slight slope, allowing wastewater to flow downhill from homes and businesses to larger collection points.
- Lateral Lines: These are the pipes that connect individual buildings to the main sewer lines. Wastewater flows from toilets, sinks, showers, and other fixtures into these laterals.
- Main Sewer Lines: Lateral lines connect to larger main sewer lines, which are designed to carry a greater volume of wastewater. These main lines continue the downhill flow towards a wastewater treatment plant.
- Pump Stations: In areas where gravity drainage is not possible (e.g., flat terrain, low-lying areas), pump stations are used. These stations collect wastewater in a well and then use powerful pumps to lift the sewage to a higher elevation, where it can resume flowing by gravity to the treatment plant.
In short, sewers use a combination of gravity and strategically placed pump stations to efficiently move wastewater from its source to a treatment facility.
