On the 1st of October 2016, Yorkshire Water assumed ownership of over 350 sewage pumping stations.
New government legislation was introduced on the 1st of July 2011, determining that by October 1st 2016 all water and sewage companies should preside over privately owned sewage pumping stations and take over the responsibility in this way.
Sewage pumping stations handle the pumping of water from homes to the nearest water treatment plant where it gets treated, along underground sewers. A dedicated team at Yorkshire Water has been hard at work since 2014 trying to find hundreds of private sewage pumping stations hidden throughout the region.
350 private sewage pumping stations have been found to date, however the company still believes there are more to be identified.
Dave Wilson, Transfer Manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Sewage pumping stations can be situated anywhere; in gardens, on public land next to houses or businesses, or just on the side of the road. Many are located in private gardens and land that we don’t normally have authority to enter which is why we’ve needed help from customers to find them. We’ve been working on this project since early in 2014 but we believe there are still more pumping stations to be found.”
Dave encouraged customers to get in touch; “It’s not too late for customers to ask us to visit and a survey a pumping station free of charge to check it’s eligible for transfer to Yorkshire Water ownership. Customers need to look out for steel access covers and/or a kiosk, usually green, which contains the electrical control equipment for the pumps.”
Only those pumping stations which serve more than one property are considered eligible, connecting to the existing public sewer network. In addition, pumping stations serving a single property, but which sit outside the boundaries of the property will also be eligible.
Upon the completion of the transfer, Yorkshire Water will assume the responsibility for all the repair, maintenance and energy costs associated with each pumping station. Savings for customers of up to £1,200 per year in shared maintenance and energy costs could also become a reality as a result of the transfer.
Naturally, some customers would want to understand more about private sewage pumping stations and exactly what they look like. Those who harbour this interest can find more information on the company’s website or they can get in touch with the company to report another one.
Some pictures doing the rounds exhibit examples of the control kiosk of a pumping station along with a steel access cover, however it’s worth taking note of the fact that the access covers can also be a lot smaller.