increasing capacity of underground sump

[kalidas]

Hello Friends,

My underground sump has a low capacity of around 4000 litres. Due to certain requirements, I need to double the capacity. Will an extension of the existing sump be possible or should i got for building a new one. If i need to go for a new one for 8k litres, what are the approx charges?


Rgds,
Kalidas

[msn1270]

Expanding the existing one is very tedious job and may not give you the good result due to gap/crack/misalignment between the old & new wall and leads to leakage(loss) of water in the storage process. Better to remove the entire old structure and go for a new one. Regarding the cost factor, several threads available within this forum. You can have a look at them.

Alternately options are,

1) plan for another sump at a different location.

2) Retain the existing sump and install another overhead tank of bigger capacity and pump the water whenever you receive either from BWSSB or Borewell...etc.

[maheshv]

I also think 2nd idea is good - if you ceiling cannot take heavy load then, get smaller tanks and connect them, this will help with balancing load, then fit a auto pumping device to ensure all these tanks are at 75% full most of the time

[kalidas]

thanks msn and maheshsv for ur inputs. Regarding option2, i am fearing a bit because of load limit for heavy items as ours is not a pillar construction. so mostly i will have to go with a new underground sump.

[ardesarchitects]

Hi,
Its not recommended to touch the existing sump like MSN as suggested .Make a separate sump right next to it and connect it with over flow or parallel fill so that you can use the same existing motor for both sumps.
Make sure you don't dig a sump near to wall foundation since its a load bearing and the sump depth should not be below the wall foundation (as recommended by most structural engineers but not followed by many ) If you go below the foundation level there are chances of soil settlement and lead to cracks in future and building fails in extreme conditions like earth quakes etc...

Regarsd
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Desingers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com
www.ardesarchitects.com