Top 5 Tips for Effective Sewer Pump Station Maintenance

Camjet Pty Ltd
Nov 12
2 min read

Keep your sewer pump station running efficiently with Camjet’s top 5 maintenance tips. Learn how to prevent blockages, avoid costly breakdowns, and extend the life of your wastewater system in South Africa.

Ensure reliability, longevity & cost-efficiency for your wastewater infrastructure

When it comes to managing a sewer pump station—also called a lift station—the cost of downtime, blockages, or failures can be significant. At Camjet, we understand that proactive maintenance is key to preventing costly repairs and ensuring reliable performance.

Here are our Top 5 Tips for Effective Sewer Pump Station Maintenance, based on years of field experience servicing systems across KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.

Establish a Rigorous Inspection Schedule

Regular inspections are the backbone of a good wastewater maintenance plan.

Why it matters: Frequent inspections help identify early signs of wear, leaks, or blockages—saving you from expensive emergency repairs later.

What to check:

· Weekly visual checks of wet wells, access covers, and odours

· Monthly tests of float switches, alarms, and backup systems

· Quarterly electrical and mechanical inspections

💡 Pro tip: In humid or coastal South African environments, such as Durban and Richards Bay, corrosion risk is higher—inspect more frequently.

Keep the Wet Well, Pumps & Piping Clean

Blockages and sludge build-up are the most common causes of pump station failure.

Maintenance checklist:

· Remove grease, sediment, and debris from wet wells

· Clean pump impellers, seals, and bearings

· Test check valves and non-return valves for proper function

Regular wet well cleaning prevents foul odours and ensures smooth operation.

Maintain Electrical & Control Systems

Mechanical reliability is important—but your electrical and control systems are just as critical.

Best practices:

· Inspect control panels, wiring, and starters every six months

· Test level control devices (floats, radar, ultrasonic) and alarms

· Maintain backup power and UPS systems—especially vital during South Africa’s load-shedding

Track Performance & Schedule Preventive Maintenance

A data-driven maintenance plan prevents breakdowns before they happen.

How to do it:

· Record pump run times, flow rates, and motor amperage

· Log all maintenance, inspections, and repairs

· Schedule routine lubrication, seal replacements, and pump overhauls

Keeping detailed maintenance records helps identify trends and schedule repairs proactively.

Prepare for Emergencies & Keep Spare Parts Ready

Even the best systems face unexpected issues—flooding, power loss, or component failure.

Be prepared:

· Develop a written emergency response plan

· Keep spare seals, bearings, switches, and valves in stock

· Train staff in confined space entry and pump removal safety

Having spare parts and response procedures ready reduces downtime and environmental risk.

Effective sewer pump station maintenance isn’t optional—it’s essential. By following these five proven tips, you’ll reduce costly breakdowns, extend equipment life, and ensure compliance with wastewater standards.

At Camjet, we provide expert pump station inspections, cleaning, maintenance contracts across South Africa.