Flexible and low-maintenance
Why use a vacuum sewer system
650+ projects
worldwide
Introduction
Are you looking for a smart and future-proof solution for sewer systems? Vacuflow® vacuum sewer systems offer a great deal of flexibility during installation and are therefore suitable for a wide variety of locations. These include urban areas, new residential developments, islands, sensitive natural and coastal areas, and marinas. Vacuum sewer systems are also a practical solution for the renovation or retrofit of existing sewer systems. Where traditional gravity-fed sewer systems are complex, costly, or disruptive, Vacuflow® offers an attractive alternative. Discover why vacuum sewer systems are an efficient solution.
The main reasons to choose a vacuum sewer system
Sustainable
A vacuum sewer system is a closed system that is continuously under negative pressure. It is air, not water, that transports the wastewater. Thanks to the vacuum, wastewater cannot escape, and the soil and groundwater are protected from contamination. If you connect vacuum toilets to the sewer system, you’ll save about 80% of the water with every flush.
Cost-effective
Vacuum sewer systems do not require a slope. As a result, the pipes can be laid at a shallow depth and almost horizontally. Compared to gravity sewer systems, less excavation is required, and thinner pipes can be used. This reduces both labor and material costs. In addition, the pipes can relatively easily adapt to the contours of the subsoil. Obstacles can be bypassed during installation by laying the pipes over, under, or around them. This minimizes delays during installation and prevents unnecessary costs.
Closed system
Vacuflow® vacuum sewerage is a closed system. As a result, sewage cannot escape and contaminate the surrounding environment. This makes the system an environmentally friendly solution.
New sanitation
Vacuum sewer systems and vacuum toilets represent an important step toward new sanitation. They ensure that water, energy, and raw materials are used and reused as efficiently as possible. By reducing drinking water consumption and safely disposing of wastewater, vacuum sewer systems contribute to future-proof and circular construction.
Ease of use
Thanks to its simple operation and the components used, the Vacuflow® vacuum sewer system is highly reliable and virtually maintenance-free. The vacuum chambers contain few moving parts, which keeps maintenance costs relatively low compared to conventional sewer systems. The system also has a long service life. Some vacuum sewer systems have been in use for more than 50 years.
Vacuum vs. traditional: the advantages
| Vacuum | Traditional | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation depth | We lay the pipes at a shallow depth, use small pipe diameters and do not require a gradient. This allows us to minimise earthworks, reduce installation costs, shorten installation time and minimise the environmental impact. | Gravity sewer systems require wide and deep trenches due to the necessary gradient and the large pipe diameters. Consequently, roads become less accessible to pedestrians and motor traffic during construction, and the risk of damage to trees increases |
| Maintenance costs | A vacuum sewer system is virtually maintenance-free and does not suffer from blockages. | Gravity sewage systems require a significant investment and entail relatively high maintenance costs. To create sufficient gradient, multiple pumping stations are often needed. Blockages and infiltration can also further increase maintenance costs. |
| Environmental impact | A vacuum sewer system is a closed system: no wastewater can escape. | In gravity-fed and pressure systems, wastewater can leak out and thus contaminate the soil and groundwater. |
| Flexibility in installation | It is possible to bypass unforeseen obstacles by going over, under or round them. | Unforeseen obstacles, such as water, gas and drainage pipes or tree roots, often require a change to the route or an adjustment to the elevation. |
Projects
Sustainable solutions
in practice
Contributing to sustainability and new sanitation solutions
Sustainable and water-saving
A vacuum sewer system disposes of wastewater in a hygienic, efficient, and environmentally friendly manner. Compared to a traditional gravity sewer system, installation is simpler and often more cost-effective. Because the system is continuously under vacuum, wastewater cannot escape and contaminate the environment. If you connect vacuum toilets to the system, you’ll save about 80% of the water used per flush compared to a traditional sewer system.
New sanitation
Vacuum sewer systems and vacuum toilets play an important role in new sanitation systems. These systems use and reuse water, energy, and raw materials as efficiently as possible. Vacuum sewer systems reduce drinking water consumption and safely discharge wastewater. An additional benefit is that less water is sent to the wastewater treatment plant, thereby reducing the load on it. As a result, the system aligns well with the goals of future-proof and circular construction.
Who is vacuum sewerage suitable for?
Vacuum sewer systems offer a sustainable and efficient solution for a wide range of areas. Thanks to their flexible installation options, vacuum sewer systems are used in built-up areas, new residential neighborhoods, on islands, at resorts, in industrial parks, in sensitive natural and coastal areas, at marinas, and in the renovation or retrofit of existing sewer systems. Vacuum sewer systems offer an attractive alternative, particularly in locations where traditional gravity sewer systems are complex, costly, or require major construction. Vacuflow® vacuum sewer systems are Qua-vac’s solution for ground-based sewer systems. Our solutions also provide effective answers within the maritime sector.
Frequently asked questions about vacuum sewerage
Vacuum sewer systems offer sustainability benefits particularly in new residential developments, flat areas, areas with high groundwater levels, and nature reserves. In these situations, less material and excavation work are often required. The risk of leaks is also lower, and the burden on wastewater treatment plants is reduced. Thanks to this combination, vacuum sewer systems can be a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gravity-fed sewer systems.
There is no single answer to this question. Vacuum sewer systems can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional gravity sewer systems. Because the pipe diameters are smaller, less excavation is required, and installation costs are often lower. As a result, total labor and material costs can also be significantly reduced. In general, the larger or more complex the area, the more attractive vacuum sewer systems become.
Vacuum sewer systems and gravity sewer systems discharge wastewater in two different ways. Vacuum sewer systems offer particular advantages in locations where traditional gravity sewer systems are difficult to install, costly, or vulnerable.
The advantages of the Vacuflow® sewer system:
- Low investment costs
- Minimal maintenance
- Less excavation work
- Only electricity is needed at the vacuum station
- Low energy consumption
- No risk of soil contamination from leaks
- Small-diameter pipes
- High flexibility in pipe installation
- Efficient wastewater transport through the addition of air
- Remote monitoring of the vacuum station and collection chambers
Making existing systems and buildings more sustainable and transforming them is often a complex process. This is due to existing infrastructure or, conversely, the lack of necessary facilities. Vacuflow® vacuum sewer systems are flexible and scalable, making them easy to connect to existing systems. This creates new opportunities for architects, developers, and installers to replace outdated systems and make buildings future-proof and sustainable.
Vaculink® is the online management tool for Vacuflow®. The tool remotely monitors the vacuum station and keeps an eye on, among other things, the vacuum pumps, the vacuum level, the wastewater level, and the status of the vacuum valves. By continuously collecting and analyzing this data, Vaculink® provides insight into the operation of the vacuum station. In this way, the tool supports maintenance planning and helps prevent malfunctions.
Contact us!
Would you like to learn how a vacuum sewer system could benefit your project as a future-proof alternative to gravity sewer systems? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. Our specialists would be happy to work with you to find a suitable solution.
