Infrastructure planning is the hidden engine behind every successful subdivision. From roads and drainage to water lines and open space, this guide walks developers through the essentials—and rules of thumb—for designing smarter, more cost-effective residential communities.

When gravity just won't work — because your site is flat, low-lying, or slopes away from the main — a lift station becomes more than a backup plan. It’s often the only way to make your system viable.

But a well-designed lift station can also be a strategic unlock — allowing you to build where others can’t, avoid deep excavation, and maintain full control of your infrastructure.

How a Lift Station Works

A lift station is a pumping system that transfers wastewater from low areas to higher ground — where it can rejoin a gravity sewer system or treatment plant.

Here’s an easy 4-step process for how lift stations work:

Step 1: Wastewater flows into an underground tank called a wet well.

Step 2: Once the wet well fills to a set level, sensors trigger one or more pumps.

Step 3: The wastewater is pushed uphill through a force main (a pressurized pipe).

Step 4: Once it reaches the gravity line, it resumes its normal flow downhill.

Dirt haul-off costs can quietly devour your land development budget—especially in NC, GA, and even FL. This blog breaks down the shocking real-world numbers for 2024–2025 and shows how a few hundred cubic yards of excess soil can cost you up to $43K. Learn how to slash costs with smarter grading plans, value engineering, and tech-driven strategies—before your dirt dollars disappear.