Lisab, as I understand them, water pressure back-ups don't just utilize pressure, they use lots city water to pull the sump water out by Venturi effect. This effectively mixes the clean and dirty water and leaves to copious amounts of water pouring out, which eventually goes to a storm sewer (of course, it is even worse they dump it right into a sanitary sewer). If it is a very active sump like Rusty's it would take a remarkable amount of city water to pump the sump water up 8 feet, if it could even do it. Doesn't that all that extra water contribute to straining the storm sewers, probably at the worst possible time (when it is already very wet/raining)? If many people use these and storm sewers are overwhelmed, won't flooding be that much worse? And, if enough people use them, won't the water supply be burdened? While the individual paying the water bill should care, I think the municipality should care, too. Rusty, is there any place downhill from your basement where you could drain your sump by gravity to daylight? It seems unlikely with the waterflow you describe, but, it would be the best solution by far if it were possible.

I like the Liberty SJ-10 the best. A newer model now comes with a intregal alarm

We originally looked at the Centurion. We called our electrician and he said we have to submit an application to the city, than an application to the gas company and than the gas company comes to look at our gas lines, blah, blah, blah. Seems to be more trouble than anything. We are mostly concerned about the sump pump. Thanks for the suggestions. We will look into the electric and water backups.

It sounds like you answered your own question: you have a sump that needs almost constant pumping, so you definitely should get the most reliable system you can afford. You won't go wrong with a Home-Guard. They are essentially bullet proof, and will pump forever. I have no experience with Baseguard, but if it is sized right (i.e., has the ability to pump the maximum amount you will ever need) it will probably work fine, as these types of pumps have no moving parts and are generally very reliable. And, as you have painfully learned, when a pump runs as much as your's, you need to check on it and clean it out at least monthly, if not weekly.