Adoptable pumping station design and support for Thames Water developments

Where a new development requires a wastewater pumping station for adoption by Thames Water, the station needs to satisfy both the national adoption standards and Thames Water’s own local requirements.

Advantage Pumping Solutions can provide specialist support from the early design stage through to installation, commissioning and handover.

Understanding Thames Water pumping station adoption

Thames Water allows developers constructing new sewers or pumping stations to offer them for adoption under Section 104 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

New Section 104 applications must comply with the Code for Adoption and Design and Construction Guidance.

Thames Water also has its own Local Practice specifically for sewerage pumping stations, which is intended to ensure new assets fit its operational, maintenance, safety and monitoring requirements.

Thames Water advises developers not to begin constructing assets intended for adoption until the Section 104 legal agreement has been signed, unless an agreed early-start process is followed.

How Advantage can support your Thames Water project

Our team can assist with:

• Early pumping-station design

• Hydraulic calculations

• Pump selection

• Mechanical and electrical specification

• Review against Thames Water Local Practice

• Technical submission support

• Equipment supply

• Installation

• Commissioning

• Handover and adoption support

Identify issues before they become site problems

The later an adoption requirement is identified, the more disruptive the resulting change can become.

A pumping-station change can affect the wet well, rising main, power supply, controls, site layout and surrounding civil works.

Our aim is to identify those considerations while there is still flexibility in the scheme.

Thames Water pumping station FAQs

Can Thames Water adopt a pumping station on a new development?

Yes. Thames Water permits new pumping stations and sewer networks to be offered for adoption under Section 104.

Does Thames Water have specific pumping station requirements?

Yes. Thames Water publishes a Local Practice for sewerage pumping stations alongside the national Design and Construction Guidance.

Should construction begin before the Section 104 agreement is complete?

Thames Water advises that developers should not normally begin constructing adoptable assets until all parties have signed the Section 104 agreement, unless an approved early-start arrangement is in place.

Need guidance on a Thames Water pumping station?

Send us the project information you currently have and we’ll help you identify the next steps.