NEW CONSTRUCTION: Sewer line pump for property on an incline

[Kevin Polite]

There is a lot next to one I own that I'm going to build on that just came up for sale. There's a good and a bad. The good is that it has sewer capacity signoff from the County, something which is difficult to come by in that area. The bad is that it's the elevation is slightly lower and the most inexpensive way to connect to the sewer is to tap into what would be my the sewer on my adjacent property. The other routes to tie in would cost more than 2.5x more. The previous owner has both lots and had planned to put a manhole in the far corner to tie into what is now my property. 

How difficult is it or is it even advisable to try to use a sewer pump (if that's a thing). Also, what would happen in the case of electricity goes out? Would that mean they couldn't use the toilets during that time? 

Thought about a septic tank but that would take away too much of the property.

Anyone else been through this?

[Matt Devincenzo]

I've done joint laterals before for clients, and generally with new construction it's fairly low risk. The biggest issue is if something clogs at the split out to the main, but that is rarely where they occur since the lateral at that point is larger than any of the arms going to individual fixtures. 

Sewer pumps are fairly common especially for flat development areas like FL and desert areas of CA, NV, AZ etc. The sump will have a small macerating pump that discharges through a 1-2" pressure line back to the sewer main and from there it gravity flows. They often will have two pumps so if one clogs the other can keep working, and will also have a high water alarm, so that you don't flood anything if they aren't working. If the power is out, you can still flush for a bit since the sump will have some storage capacity, but eventually it will fill up and overflow. The alarm panel should at least have a backup battery so that even if the power is out and the pumps are off, you are warned that it's filled up and shouldn't keep flushing. You could also make sure that you provide a backup battery for the pump itself that would give some additional time for everything to come back on.