Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/506883
Pump stations are vital to the working operations of any golf course or large landscape property. Even with proper maintenance, there will come a time when the pump station will need to be re- placed due to worn-out parts, component obsolescence, or, more commonly, rust. Superintendents and operators should be aware of the telltale signs of when replacement is imminent. Thanks to new develop- ments and features, today's pump stations offer superior levels of energy efficiency, pressure and water management, and program customization with the irrigation central controls. WEAR AND TEAR Preventative maintenance measures as simple as sanding off rust and repainting components will extend the pump station's life. Other steps — such as monitoring pump motor oil levels, adjust- ing leaky packing, checking pump performance, lubricating valve handles that may have rusted in place, checking for frayed wiring and cleaning filter screens — can help extend a pump station's life, but eventually nature will take its toll on an older unit. Newer units will be more energy efficient and more cost effective to operate, but nothing is more valuable than performing quarterly or bi-annual preventative maintenance inspections. Pump stations are sometimes located in harsh environments, which means they are susceptible to extreme conditions. Water, no matter the source, will lead to rusting of the pump station's metal structure. Sometimes this only affects the physical appearance of the unit, but other times the rust will eventually crumble the sup- porting structure — leading to full replacement. Water with high sodium or chloride can contribute to how quickly a station will deteriorate. Also, water with heavy concentra- tions of particulates will wear down the pump impellers leading to a shortened service life. To combat rust, manufacturers have started offering aluminum, special-quality vinyl coatings, and even stainless-steel options for pump stations, as well as specialized coatings on the inside sur- face of the piping to help lessen the effects of corrosive elements in some water sources. Stainless steel is used on pump stations where harsh weather conditions and salt impact the unit. The life cycle of a pump station is approximately 20 to 25 years, but in areas where it is working year-round, such as Arizona, the lifespan is usually shorter. In most areas, the unit will run seven to 10 months of the year. The Pros and Cons of Pump Station Replacement IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FLOWTRONEX PREPACKAGED PUMP STATIONS, A XYLEM APPLIED WATER SYSTEMS BRAND Pump stations are sometimes located in harsh environments, which means they are susceptible to extreme conditions. Water, no matter the source, will lead to rusting of the pump station's metal structure. 38 May/June 2015 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com ■ BY DAN GREGG