New pump set picks up the pressure

SNAPSHOT

• After establishing that the problem with low potable water mains pressure was interfering with the efficient operation of the irrigation system and necessitating a long watering window, a new online booster system was installed
• The system consists of five pumps with a control panel configured to offer a wide range of flows, which directly pressurises the incoming town mains supply without the need for a storage tank
• It is installed in a concrete bunker uniquely painted to reflect the community and local environment and to deter vandalism

Early this year, the managers of the municipal sports ground in Caldwell in the ACT, contacted Matthew Wilson from Total Irrigation Designers about issues they were having in maintaining the turf at the facility. The problem was that low potable water mains pressure was interfering with the efficient operation of the irrigation system and necessitating an excessively long watering window.

The sports ground, one of the largest in the ACT, consists of multiuse sporting fields and is popular with locals, being used for a range of sporting codes such as cricket, AFL and football.

Custom booster system

After a site visit and consultation with the ground managers, Matthew recommended that an effective option would be to install a custom, directly online, booster system.

Waterland Irrigation, which is in Fyshwick in the ACT, was selected to install the system. According to company director, Brett Amey, the system consists of five pumps with a control panel specifically configured to offer a wide range of flows, which directly pressurises the incoming town mains supply without the need for a storage tank.

“This offered flexibility based on their pumping requirements and mains water system capabilities, which varied depending on the time and the day.

“As well, the control panel allowed for remote operation, a big timesaver for council staff,” he said.

Clients today are conscious of energy costs and this was no less the case for the ground managers. Lowara e-SV pumps, which were used because of their hydraulic efficiency, were combined with high-efficiency motors and operated via an Inca Controls custom-designed, variable-speed control panel. The aim was to deliver maximum efficiency, lower lifecycle costs and energy savings compared to early generation pump booster sets.

The pump station was specified and built by Brown Brothers Engineers Australia and Waterland Irrigation installed the pumps, which all proceeded quickly and with no issues.

A feature of the station, which was installed on site in a cement bunker supplied and installed by ABA Construction Managers, was that it was uniquely painted with designs to reflect the community and local environment. The concrete pump station enclosure was specified by local government and features artwork by local artists as a showcase and to help deter tagging and vandalism.

Problems solved

Brett explained that with the increased pressure from using pumps rather than relying on mains supply, the number of irrigation stations that could be operated at the same time went from one to three. This meant that applications could be scheduled more conveniently, and that the grounds could be irrigated in a shorter watering window than before.

“Introducing the pumps also improved sprinkler performance and efficiency,” he said.

Council staff found the system was simple to operate and manage. With the use of both the pump set and control panel, integration of pulse output water meter is simple and accurate to install and can be read from both onsite and remotely.

The bottom line

According to Brett, the job went smoothly, and the client is happy with the new pump system. As a result of the improved water pressure supplied by the pumps, the playing fields are now watered more quickly, the irrigation system applies water more efficiently and energy costs are lower.

[Article originally appeared in the Irrigation Australia Journal]