Three things you need to know about Pump Stations!

1. What is a pump station?
A pump station is a facility designed to lift wastewater from lower elevations to higher elevations. There are eight pump stations in Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan). Inside each pump station there are pumps that pump wastewater uphill through a series of pressurized pipes. Pump stations allow wastewater from our homes and businesses to remain connected to the system of underground pipes called sewer mains which carry wastewater to the treatment plant. Without pump stations, many of the homes in Castro Valley that are located at lower elevations would need to be on a septic tank system.

2. How does a pump station work?
Once water goes down the drain, it becomes wastewater. Wastewater leaves the home (or business) through a private sewer lateral, which is connected to the public sewer main. Wastewater collects at a pump station in a chamber called a wet well. Sensors in the wet well monitor the sewage level, and once it fills to a certain point, an automated pump turns on and pumps the wastewater upward until it connects back to pipes that lead the wastewater downstream to the Castro Valley/Oro Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant.

3. How do pump stations protect the community?
CVSan works hard to provide continuous and award-winning service to the community by maintaining infrastructure, repairing blockages, and preventing sanitary sewer overflows (SSO’s). This work is vital to public health and safety.

The Collection System Maintenance Department ensures the proper function and maintenance of CVSan’s pump stations. They perform quarterly inspections and conduct bi-annual comprehensive inspections to address any major repairs needed so that the pump stations continue to operate efficiently and without fail. Their work ensures systems continue flowing without disruptions in service, even during events such as power outages.

CVSan is committed to safety and protecting the community.