1. What is a pumping station and how does it work?

A pumping station is the most advanced type of pump equipment and a comprehensive device for supplying water from a well, reservoir, or other source, as well as for irrigation. Powerful stations are even used in apartment buildings where there is no access to the central water supply. The main advantages of the pumping station are automatic on/off when the tap is opened/closed, stable pressure in the system, and the accumulation of a water supply thanks to the built-in hydraulic tank.

The pumping system can fully provide water to a private or even an apartment building.

The construction of a typical pumping station includes:

  1. Electric motor — serves as the key element for the stable operation of the entire mechanism;
  2. Pressure switch — controls the pressure in the system, turning the pumping station on and off as needed. If the pressure and water level in the system drops, the relay activates the station and does not stop working until the indicators reach optimal values;
  3. Hydroaccumulator (hydraulic tank) — a sealed container that accumulates a water supply. The water is under pressure in the tank, ensuring the required pressure;
  4. Electric pump — pumps water from the source into the system.

Thus, the principle of operation is not too complicated. The station draws water from the source, the pump sends it to the hydroaccumulator, compressing the air in it. When the system pressure reaches the preset level, the relay turns off the pump. When the tap is opened, the pressure drops, and the pump turns on again. All this allows you to maintain even water supply to all water intake points without human intervention.

2. Types of Pumping Stations

Most pumping stations are designed for working with clean water — clear or slightly cloudy, without abrasive particles, sand, silt, and debris. Often, they allow the presence of solid particles up to 5 mm in size, but there are models with more stringent requirements.

A rare category is pumps for dirty water, intended for pumping out technical or drainage water with particles, irrigation from open water bodies, and for systems with the presence of sand, rust, and silt. Enhanced sewage models are much more common, designed for the discharge of wastewater, sewage, and drainage water. Such equipment is necessary in areas with low relief, where gravity drainage is not possible, as well as if the bathroom is located below the level of the sewage system (for example, in a basement or ground floor).

Thus, when choosing a pumping station, pay attention to the maximum size of solid particles it can handle — manufacturers usually indicate this in the specifications. If the quantity and size of impurities exceed the permissible limit, this will eventually lead to equipment damage and breakdowns. To avoid this, some devices are equipped with a shredder — a special device that grinds water-borne contaminants into small particles that cannot harm the system.

Besides this, pumping stations are categorized by operating principles:

  • Centrifugal. The most common type of device uses a rotating impeller (wheel) as the main mechanism, which creates centrifugal force and thus draws in water. Such pumps are reliable and durable, have high efficiency and good performance, but do not tolerate air in the system.
  • Vortex. The impeller with blades rotates and creates a vortex, ensuring the movement of water in a twisted trajectory. Pumps with this principle of operation are compact, create higher pressure at lower performance, but are less resistant to contamination and quite noisy.
  • Vibrating. The membrane, driven by an electromagnet, oscillates and pushes the water out.
  • Screw. A rotating screw pushes the water in a spiral.

3. Key Parameters

When choosing a pump, it's important to understand what it is capable of and whether it can meet your water needs. Consider the following characteristics:

3.1 Power

This indicator of electricity consumption directly affects productivity, efficiency, the ability to develop pressure, and lift water to the required height. Insufficient power leads to low pressure, weak pressure, and work disruptions. However, excessive power is not recommended as it can cause overheating, equipment wear, and electricity overconsumption. On average, a power rating between 1000 to 2000 watts for a private home is optimal, depending on the area being supplied with water and the lift depth. The more points of water consumption and the more complex their supply, the higher the power should be. It is advisable to choose this indicator with a small margin in case you want to renovate and increase the number of bathrooms in the house.

3.2 Productivity

This is the volume of water the pump can transfer over a specific period. It is usually indicated in liters per hour or cubic meters per hour. Productivity determines whether the pumping station can ensure a stable water supply and meet the needs of all users.

The pumping station should fully meet the water needs of all family members.

To understand the necessary productivity, calculate how many water consumption points will operate simultaneously and add up their consumption. Consider locations and appliances using water: baths, showers, dishwashers, faucets, toilets, etc. For comparison, here is the approximate consumption for some water intake points:

  • Kitchen faucet — 300 l/h;
  • Shower — 600–800 l/h;
  • Washing machine — 400–500 l/h;
  • Irrigation with a hose — 800–1000 l/h.

Add 20–30% to the total value for a reserve, so there is enough water during peak periods (e.g., morning and before bed). It is not recommended to choose a pumping station with productivity equal to the maximum consumption, as this can lead to premature equipment wear and frequent on/off cycles. Excessive productivity, in turn, depletes the well and increases electricity bills.

On average, optimal productivity values are as follows:

  • Small house and small family — up to 2 m³/h;
  • Family of 3–5 people — 2-4 m³/h;
  • Large house with multiple floors and bathrooms — 5 m³/h or more.

Important! The pumping station's productivity should not exceed the well's or well's yield, i.e., the volume of water the source can provide per unit of time. Often, the organizations drilling the wells also specify its yield and the estimated productivity of the required station. If these recommendations are not available, calculations will have to be done manually.

3.3 Maximum Head

Simply put, this is the height to which the pump can lift water. If this value is less than necessary, the upper points (e.g., on the second floor) will have weak pressure or no water at all. To calculate the optimal head, it is necessary to consider not only the well's depth but also the height of the pipes through which water is supplied and the length of horizontally positioned hoses. Alternatively, the vertical length is considered in a 1:1 ratio, and horizontally — 10:1 (10 meters horizontally = 1 meter vertically).

When choosing a pumping station, it's important to correctly calculate the required pressure.
  • First, measure the height from the water level in the source (well or well) to the highest water intake point (for example, to the shower on the second floor).
  • Determine the length of all horizontal pipes and hoses and multiply the total value by 0.1 (in a 10:1 ratio).
  • Determine the minimum pressure required for the normal operation of all devices (shower, washing machine, boiler, etc.). For domestic needs, usually, 1.5–2 bar is sufficient, i.e., approximately 20 meters of water column.
  • Add at least 10% to the total height, considering friction and bending losses.

Pressure (m) = suction depth + lifting height + 10% reserve + required pressure

Suppose you have a well 10 meters deep, the distance from the well to the house is 20 meters (including the horizontal section), and the water needs to be lifted to the second floor (another 5 meters). The total lift is 10 + 20×0.1 + 5 = 17 meters. We add 20 meters to ensure normal pressure and 10% reserve. As a result, a pumping station with at least 40 meters of pressure is needed.

Nowadays, the most common models have a head height of up to 50 meters, which is sufficient for an average house.

Water pressure is one of the key characteristics of a pumping station.

3.4 Hydroaccumulator Volume

The reservoir where water is accumulated provides water reserve creation and pressure stabilization. When you open a tap in the house, water first comes from the hydraulic tank, and only then does the pump turn on when the pressure falls below the set level. Therefore, the larger the hydraulic tank, the less often the pump will turn on, extending the equipment's service life. However, an overly large reservoir has its drawbacks: it takes up much space, takes longer to fill, and the remaining water inside can stagnate and acquire an unpleasant smell.

Overall, recommendations for choosing the hydraulic accumulator's volume are as follows:

  • 25–50 liters — for small consumption (1–2 people, small house or summer house with several water intake points);
  • 50–80 liters — for an ordinary house and family of 2–4 people;
  • 100 liters and more — for a large family, where over 4 people and high water consumption.

4. Installation Location of the Pumping Station

Proper installation of the pumping station not only affects ease of use but also ensures reliable and durable operation. Unlike submersible pumps, the station is not submerged in water but is installed on the surface. You can choose any location for its placement, but some rules and recommendations should still be considered:

  • It is advisable to place the pumping station near the water source to minimize pressure losses and ensure efficient operation.
  • Cold can cause water to freeze and break the equipment. Most models are designed to work at temperatures from +1 to +40 °C. Therefore, if the station is directly outdoors, an insulated structure is necessary in the winter.
  • Monitor the humidity level and groundwater to prevent the station from flooding. Pump electric motors can't withstand direct contact with water, which can lead to a short circuit.
  • Consider the noise level, as if the station will be installed in the house, it can disturb the household members. In this case, it is better to use special soundproofing casings and boxes.

It is best to place the equipment in a technical room, basement, specially-built booth, insulated shaft, or caisson — an underground chamber that protects the pumping station from external influences.

The pumping station can be installed in the basement, technical room, or special insulated chamber.

When choosing a place for installation, an important factor is the distance from the water source, including the depth from which water is taken, and the distance from the surface of the well or shaft to the station. This distance should not exceed 8 meters, otherwise, the pump simply will not be able to lift water from the well and supply it under pressure into the hydraulic accumulator. In this case, the same ratio applies as when calculating water pressure: 1 m vertically = 1 m, and 1 m horizontally = 0.1 m.

For example, if the depth of the well is 6 meters, the distance to the pump should not exceed 20 meters.

If the suction depth is more than 8 meters, it is better to use a submersible well pump or a pumping station with an ejector. This special device allows you to suction water from a significantly greater depth. However, the presence of an ejector significantly increases the noise level.

5. Equipment

Modern pumping stations may differ not only in technical characteristics, but also in equipment, which also affects work efficiency, longevity, and ease of use.

5.1 Body Material

Stainless steel and cast iron are the best options as they have a long service life and are resistant to corrosion. Plastic is more budget-friendly but is less durable and not as reliable.

5.2 Impeller Material

This is the main working element that spins at high speed and withstands significant water pressure, so it should be made from quality materials. The most reliable solution is stainless steel — it is strong, does not rust, and is resistant to water contaminants. Brass has the same advantages but is more expensive. Cast iron is slightly inferior to stainless steel in terms of brittleness and corrosion sensitivity. But manufacturers often use plastic, or more specifically — technopolymer. It is inexpensive, corrosion-resistant, and quite durable.

5.3 Hydro Tank Material

For most models, the standard is regular steel covered with special paint to prevent corrosion. Stainless steel hydroaccumulators are more expensive but are more reliable and durable.

Important! The material of the hydro tank does not affect the taste and quality of the water, as the water in the tank is inside a special rubber "bladder," not in the metal part.

5.4 Equipment Protection

Various protective systems significantly extend the equipment's service life, preventing malfunctions. For example, the overload and overheating protection system will stop the pump if it operates at high speeds. And dry run protection will stop the pump if there is no water in the well, as this inevitably leads to pump failure due to lack of cooling.

5.5 Non-return Valve

Prevents water from draining back into the well or shaft when the pump is turned off. It is often part of the pumping station's equipment, but there are cases when it needs to be purchased separately.

5.6 Filters

The coarse filter at the inlet traps sand, small particles, rust, and protects the pump impeller from damage. In some models, it is already built-in, while for others it can be purchased separately. If you want to obtain clean drinking water, a fine filter is necessary, which will not allow even the smallest dirt particles to pass through. These filters are removable, so they can be taken off and cleaned periodically.

5.7 Pressure Switch

Designed to control pressure and is part of the pumping station's equipment. But there are two types of switches:

  • Mechanical — uses a spring mechanism that operates when set pressure levels are reached. It is simple, reliable, durable, inexpensive, and easy to repair.
  • Electronic (automatic) — controls pressure and flow using electronic sensors. It provides more precise control, but electronics are more expensive, sensitive to voltage fluctuations, and more difficult to repair.