A pump station is used to lift or raise wastewater from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. It may also be used to discharge the wastewater from the property directly into a force main.

The wastewater is first collected in a well and from there, pumps lift the wastewater into higher pipe systems or into the force mains.

The force main will then convey the wastewater to other larger pump stations or directly to the treatment plants.

Failures of the pumps stations can cause significant impact on the environment as raw wastewater can be discharged into lakes, streams or rivers.