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.
16 Smart Irrigation Special Edition www.landscapeirrigation.com
■ BY DAN GREGG