New pump and mixing system gets problematic train toilet pumping station back on track

An innovative mixing solution from Landia has resolved a long-standing problem at a pumping station in the south of England that receives wastewater from trains.

The site’s existing duty pump, housed in a 30 m³ chamber, was repeatedly blocking because it could not cope with the solids discharged from train toilets. Over time, the build-up severely reduced the pumping station’s effective capacity and increased maintenance demands.

“When we first visited the pumping station, I couldn’t quite believe the volume of accumulated solids,” said Howard Burton of Landia. “But given what some people still think is acceptable to flush down a public toilet, it perhaps shouldn’t have been such a surprise.

“The reality is that standard duty pumps are simply not designed for this type of application. The result is inevitable: blockages, downtime, reduced capacity and significantly higher maintenance costs.”

The situation had deteriorated to the point where non-liquid waste from the railway network’s controlled emission toilets (CETs) had to be manually removed with rakes by site staff.

“Our customer did consider twin-shaft grinders,” Burton explained, “but the costs were prohibitive. Grinders certainly have their place, but this wasn’t a case of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. With our EradiGator system, we were able to offer a practical, affordable alternative.”

Unlike grinders, which rely on a single pass, Landia’s solution delivers continuous passes through the company’s proven Chopper Pump external knife system. For this particularly demanding application, the system was also equipped with Landia’s shredder propeller, a feature that is growing in popularity for tough wastewater duties.

Since the installation of the freestanding EradiGator system, the existing duty pump has been effectively protected and is once again able to pump wastewater without blocking. The Landia system now takes on the primary task of breaking down incoming solids, allowing the lift station to operate as intended.

“Another key advantage of our tailored solution,” Burton added, “is that it requires no additional infrastructure. It’s a true drop-in, plug-and-play installation. The system runs on a timer for just 15 minutes per hour, keeping energy consumption low with a 5.5 kW (7.3 HP) motor. Overall, it’s a much simpler and more user-friendly setup—no more rakes.”

Landia has also seen strong results in the United States with its EradiGator and AeriGator pumping and mixing solutions for problematic lift stations.

In Daphne, Alabama, the main lift station at Windscape was suffering severe ragging issues, requiring a vacuum truck at least once a week. The installation of an EradiGator system immediately eliminated the problem.

Similarly, in Madisonville, Texas, blockages persisted despite the installation of two pumps marketed as being capable of handling typical lift station debris. Here, a Landia AeriGator—featuring a Chopper Pump with a hardened-steel knife system—provided a long-term solution. Its venturi nozzle allows the pump to cope with variations in scum levels, while installations near residential areas have also benefited from a noticeable reduction in odours.