Which is the most common type of pump used for moving wastewater from a lift station?

• A. Paristolic
• B. Positive Displacement
• C. Centrifugal
• D. Air lift

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that lift stations need to move large volumes of wastewater that may contain solids, with a head that varies as flow changes. Centrifugal pumps fit this scenario well because they deliver high flow efficiently and can handle varying heads. They’re also available as submersible units for wet wells, which protects priming and simplifies installation, and many are designed with non-clog impellers to allow solids to pass through without clogging. This combination—strong, adaptable flow with solids handling in a submerged, reliable package—makes centrifugal pumps the most common choice for pumping wastewater from lift stations. Peristaltic and positive displacement pumps are typically used for different, more viscous or dosing applications, and air-lift pumps are much less practical for municipal lift stations due to lower efficiency and smaller practical capacity.