What is the difference between a pump and a blower?

These two components are often confused. A blower (also called a compressor or aerator) is usually housed in a green kiosk above ground. It runs continuously, pumping air down into the sewage treatment plant to feed the aerobic bacteria that break down sewage. You will hear it as a low hum or buzz.

A pump is almost always located inside the tank, submerged in the water. Its job is to move treated water from one part of the system to another when gravity cannot do the work – for example, lifting clean effluent up to a discharge point on higher ground. Most pumped systems include a high-level alarm that will sound or flash if the pump fails. Unlike the blower, a pump should only run intermittently; a pump running continuously is using unnecessary electricity and will wear out prematurely.

Commercial systems may also include irrigation pumps, sludge return pumps and more. If you are unsure what is installed at your property, let us know when you book your first service and our engineers will identify everything during the visit.