A vacuum sewage system includes a sump pit for receiving sewage, a valve pit, a valve, a sensor-controller, a first sensor pipe, a sump breather and a second sensor pipe. The sensor-controller activates the valve so as to discharge sewage from the sump pit. The first sensor pipe communicates pressure to the sensor-controller as the level of sewage rises within the sump pit. The second sensor pipe communicates pressure to the sump breather to move the sump breather from a first state to a second state to prevent sewage from entering the sensor-controller and valve. Alternatively, the system may be provided with a single sensor pipe that communicates pressure to both the sensor-controller and to the sump breather.