Wells, Sump Pumps and Septic Sewage Systems - Sewage Impeller Protection

While the advice about flushing various hygienic products is great, I manage a senior citizen facility and many of the clients have dementia and can't be watched 24/7 so we have to do the unpleasant job of removing the pumps and taking the debris out of the impeller. I'd like to wrap the bottom of the pump with something like 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" mesh to prevent the big things like hand towels. My plumbing supply house recommends against it. Suggestions? Thanks.

That's a tough problem. Wrapping the pumps might cause the debris to just get sucked into and on the screen choking the pumps intake off. One job I know of took a 5 gallon bucket and drilled large holes in it and positioned it below the tanks inlet. The bucket catchs the debris and the water still flows through. If the bucket fills up the water still runs over. It's still a maintenance problem but at least you don't have to pull the pumps.

Pumpguy
Your kind suggestion is excellent! The sump pumps I'm using are too large for a 5-gallon bucket (I'll find something else suitable).

What diameter holes would you recommend for these Liberty Pumps 3/4-hp? And about how far apart?

Thanks again.

You might have to experiment a little to find what works best. You would probably want something large enough to let most of the solids through (maybe 1 1/4-1 1/2"). Use some kind of a cheap bucket and try a couple of different things and see what works. I don't know what your tank looks like but it might be nice to hang the bucket from a rod or something to make it easy to remove and clean. It always seems best to watch the system in action. Maybe you could flush some of the problem causing towels and make sure you are catching them with your design. Good luck

Pumpguy