What Is a Wastewater Pump and How to Choose a Drainage Pump?

1. Introduction

Modern pump technology is no longer limited to transporting clean water only. Especially wastewater pumps and drainage pumps are vital equipment for the safety of buildings and industrial facilities.

These pumps are used to remove accumulated dirty water in homes, parking garages, basements and industrial zones.

Brands such as Grundfos, Wilo, Standart Pompa, Etna and Sumak stand out with durability and high performance.

2. What Is a Wastewater Pump?

Wastewater pumps are specially designed pumps used to discharge water containing particles, solids and dirty waste.

These pumps are generally submersible type, meaning they operate inside the water and provide quiet, efficient discharge.

Main Functions:

• Removes wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers and industrial outlets
• Pumps wastewater to sewer lines under pressure
• Quickly evacuates water during flooding situations

Popular models in this segment include:

• Grundfos SEG Series
• Wilo Rexa Series

3. What Is a Drainage Pump?

Drainage pumps are used to discharge rainwater, lightly dirty water or groundwater leakage collected on floors or pits.

Compared to wastewater pumps, they are suitable for smaller particles and usually lighter in construction.

Common Applications:

• Basement water removal
• Garage, pit and water tank emptying
• Construction site drainage
• Pool and tank cleaning

Frequently preferred models:

• Sumak Submersible Drainage Pumps
• Etna EDP Series

4. Difference Between Wastewater Pump and Drainage Pump

5. How to Choose the Right Pump?

5.1 Flow Rate (Q)

The amount of water the pump must carry per hour should be correctly determined.

Formula:
Q = V × t

(V = volume to discharge, t = time)

Example:
To empty 10 m³ water in 30 minutes:

Q = 10 / 0.5 = 20 m³/h

Grundfos drainage pumps easily provide models for these values.

5.2 Head (H)

Shows how high the pump can push water vertically.

Example:
If the discharge height from the basement to sewer line is 7 meters, a pump with 8–9 meter head should be selected.

Suitable options:

• Wilo Dreno Series
• Standart Pompa SP Series

5.3 Liquid Characteristics

Is the liquid hot, acidic or particle-filled?

• Etna → corrosion resistant stainless body
• Sumak → durable impeller for dirty and oily water

5.4 Motor Power and Energy Efficiency

Motor power depends on liquid density and transfer distance.

Modern brands use IE3 efficiency motors to save electricity.

Grundfos and Wilo are leaders in this field.

6. Materials Used in Wastewater Pumps

Standart Pompa uses bronze impellers for long life.
Wilo uses advanced seals for dry-run protection.

7. Installation and Setup

• Install pump at the lowest water point
• Avoid sharp bends in discharge line
• Use a check valve
• Ensure waterproof electrical connections (IP68)
• Fill pump with water before first start-up

Etna pumps offer portable easy installation.
Grundfos Unilift KP features automatic float switch control.

8. Submersible Pump vs Surface Pump

• Submersible pump works fully inside water
• Surface pump remains outside water and sucks through hose

For wastewater and drainage systems, submersible pumps are generally preferred.

Ideal models:

• Sumak SDF Series
• Grundfos Unilift KP

9. Brand Comparison

Grundfos

• SEG, Unilift KP, AP series
• Silent, energy efficient, reliable
• IP68 protection

Wilo

• Rexa FIT, Dreno series
• German engineering
• Up to 50 mm particle passage

Standart Pompa

• Strong Turkish manufacturer
• Compact, high-flow drainage pumps

Etna

• EDP series
• Lightweight and economical

Sumak

• SDF and SDFX series
• Powerful dirty water discharge performance

10. Conclusion

Wastewater and drainage pumps are critical for building safety and efficient water management.

Choosing the correct brand and capacity provides:

✔ Lower energy consumption
✔ Reduced maintenance costs
✔ Longer service life
✔ Reliable operation

Brand Highlights:

• Grundfos → Premium, silent, durable
• Wilo → High German efficiency
• Standart Pompa → Local quality / value
• Etna → Economic drainage solution
• Sumak → Strong dirty water pumping