Low-Pressure Pipe Network Kits for Soil Polishing Filters
Our soil polishing filter LPPN kit distributes pumped wastewater evenly across a soil polishing filter or raised percolation area. Percolation Supplies designs each low-pressure pipe network to suit the specified filter size, pump duty and wastewater-system layout.
The pipework arrives cut and drilled for the selected design. In addition, the kit includes orifice shields, flush valves, valve boxes and a clear installation diagram.
What does the LPPN kit include?
The exact quantities depend on the selected filter size and hydraulic design. A typical kit includes:
- PVC pressure-pipe header
- PVC pressure-pipe distribution laterals
- Required tee pieces and cross pieces
- Straight joiners
- Elbows and reducing fittings
- Pre-drilled discharge orifices
- Orifice shields for the drilled openings
- Flush valves for the ends of the laterals
- Valve boxes for maintenance access
- PVC glue
- Site-specific pipework layout
- Installation diagram
The standard product listing does not include the effluent pump or pump station. Therefore, confirm the pump specification separately before ordering.
Product features
- Designed specifically for soil polishing filters
- Suitable for pumped wastewater distribution
- Site-specific hydraulic layout
- Pipework supplied cut and drilled
- Designed using recognised low-pressure distribution principles
- Orifice size and spacing matched to the design
- Orifice shields protect each discharge opening
- Flush valves support routine maintenance
- Valve boxes provide accessible flushing points
- Colour-coded or clearly identified components where applicable
- Easy-to-follow installation diagram
- Suitable for domestic and commercial designs
- Nationwide delivery available
- Different sizing options available
How does a low-pressure pipe network work?
A pump delivers a measured dose of treated wastewater into the LPPN header. The header then supplies several smaller distribution laterals positioned across the soil polishing filter.
Each lateral contains accurately sized discharge holes. When the pump starts, pressure builds inside the network and forces wastewater through the orifices.
This arrangement spreads the dose over the complete filter surface instead of allowing it to enter at one point. Consequently, the soil receives a more consistent hydraulic and organic loading.
The pump, rising main and pipe network must operate as one designed system. Changing the pipe lengths, hole sizes or number of laterals can alter pressure and distribution across the entire filter.
Orifice shields
Each drilled discharge hole has a compatible orifice shield. The shield prevents the surrounding distribution stone from sitting directly against the opening.
Orifice shields help:
- Protect the drilled holes during installation
- Reduce contact with surrounding stone
- Limit blockage from developing biomat
- Preserve space around each discharge point
- Make future inspection more straightforward
- Support even wastewater distribution
Install each shield in the orientation shown on the supplied diagram. Do not omit shields or substitute an unsuitable cover.
View the compatible orifice shields for 25mm and 32mm PVC pipe.
Flush valves and valve boxes
The kit provides a flush valve at the end of each distribution lateral. Opening these valves allows maintenance personnel to flush accumulated deposits from the pipework.
Each flush valve sits inside an accessible valve box. Therefore, the owner can maintain the network without excavating the end of every lateral.
Keep the valve-box covers visible at finished ground level. Do not bury them beneath soil, paving or permanent landscaping.
Replacement components include the 32mm socket flush valve and 6-inch valve box.
Information required for the design
Before preparing the kit, Percolation Supplies may require:
- Soil polishing filter dimensions
- Population equivalent
- Daily design flow
- Proposed filter layout
- Number and length of laterals
- Distance from the pump chamber
- Rising-main diameter and length
- Vertical lift
- Pump make and model
- Pump performance curve
- Proposed dosing volume
- Available operating pressure
- Site-assessment recommendations
- Planning conditions
Provide accurate measurements. Even a relatively small change in rising-main length, vertical lift or pipe diameter can affect the pressure available at the LPPN.
Pump selection
The pump must deliver the required flow against the system’s total dynamic head. Total head includes the vertical lift, pipe friction and pressure required within the distribution network.
A pump with insufficient pressure may discharge heavily through the nearest holes while providing inadequate flow to the far end of the laterals. Conversely, an oversized pump may create excessive pressure, high discharge velocities and unnecessary energy use.
Therefore, do not select the pump using maximum flow or maximum head alone. Instead, check its performance at the calculated operating point.
Browse our range of pump stations or contact Percolation Supplies for a pump-duty check.
Installation guidance
A competent wastewater installer should install the network. First, compare every component with the supplied plan and identify the header, laterals, flush-valve ends and drilled discharge points.
Next, dry-assemble the pipework to confirm the dimensions and orientation. Ensure that every lateral occupies the correct position within the filter.
When making the permanent connections:
- Cut any required pipe ends square.
- Remove all burrs and loose PVC fragments.
- Clean and dry the joining surfaces.
- Apply suitable PVC glue.
- Insert each pipe fully into its fitting.
- Maintain the correct alignment while the joint sets.
- Allow the glued joints to cure before operating the system.
Do not glue removable maintenance components unless the supplied diagram specifically instructs you to do so.
Install the orifice shields over the correct holes. Afterwards, position the flush valves and valve boxes at the ends of the laterals.
View our 32mm PVC pressure piping and PVC glue for pressure pipework.
Commissioning the network
Before covering the pipework with stone or soil:
- Fill and operate the network with clean water
- Check every joint for leakage
- Confirm that every orifice discharges
- Compare the discharge along each lateral
- Check the pump’s running pressure
- Test the flush valves
- Confirm the valve boxes remain accessible
- Correct any misaligned pipework
- Record the final pump settings
The installer should only complete the surrounding filter layers after confirming that the network operates correctly.
Inspection and maintenance
Inspect the LPPN as part of routine wastewater-system servicing. Maintenance should include:
- Testing the discharge pump
- Checking float-switch levels
- Operating the high-level alarm
- Opening and flushing each lateral
- Inspecting accessible orifices
- Checking the orifice shields
- Removing sediment from valve boxes
- Checking for damaged pipework
- Inspecting the filter surface for uneven wetting
Uneven ponding, unusually dry sections or repeated pump alarms may indicate a blocked orifice, damaged pipe, unsuitable pump setting or hydraulic-design problem.
For Irish domestic wastewater guidance, consult the EPA Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems.
Contact Percolation Supplies with the filter dimensions, pump details and rising-main information so we can prepare the correct soil polishing filter LPPN kit for your installation.
