Why do I have 2 sump pump pits in my basement?

Question

I have what looks like 2 sump pump pits in my basement. One is occupied by the sump pump...the other one is covered with a heavy duty plastic lid. Why would I have 2 and what is the other one for? The one with the sump pump is located in a far corner of the basement and the other is close by on the left side of the furnace. Any help would be much appreciated!!!

Answer 1

My stepdad has a similar arrangment in his house. Since his basement is below sewer grade the builder put an extra hole in for a sewage transfer pump in case he ever decides to put a bathroom in the basement. This is possibly why you have the same thing.

Answer 2

i would think that if you have 2, then at one time there must have been an awful lot of water in your basement.  more than one pump could handle.  of course, there is the chance that  it was put in the wrong place to start, then moved because thats where the water was deepest.

Answer 3

I LIKE THE FIRST ANSWER BUT IS IT POSSIBLE IT COULD BE FOR A REDUNDANT OR BACKUP PUMP SYSTEM?