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Pumping Station Surveys

The need for a pumping station survey

Sewage pumping stations are notoriously problematic. They often suffer from issues such as poor reliability, excessive power consumption, and premature sewage spills into public water courses.

There are numerous reasons that can cause a pumping system to fail to deliver its designed flow rates.

Our pumping station surveys measure the true flow rates that are delivered during different operational conditions, establish the condition of the pumps, and measure the static and friction head characteristics of the rising main.

Our pumping station services

If you want problem-free and efficient pumping systems, it is important that you know exactly how they are functioning. Flowcheck are experts in pumping station surveys. We offer a range of services on pumping stations to ensure that existing installations work to their optimum efficiency and that new pumping systems are accurately matched to their rising mains.

Our pumping system services include:

Long-term flow and storm spill monitoring

Continuous monitoring to record system performance and capture critical events like storm spills.

Pump tests

Measuring pump performance in situ by accurately recording pressure, flow, power, and level.

Rising main system curve tests

Plotting system head vs flow curves to measure the rising main characteristics and identify system faults

Transient pressure tests

Capture transient pressure data to quantify surges and assess risks of bursts or pipe collapse.

Pumping station optimisation

Evaluate the complete pumping system to reduce power consumption and improve operational reliability.

Why drop tests should not be relied on

Some operators try to determine the performance of a pumping system by performing a drop test. A drop test is a very basic way of estimating pump flow. It involves timing how long a pumping system takes to empty a sump and then calculating the approximate volume delivered during that period.

Issues with using a drop test:

It relies on the inlet flow rate to the sump being constant, which it rarely is.
It often involves the sump being filled to a higher level than usual, at which point a pump will deliver a greater flow rate than normal.
Drop tests are unable to determine the individual performance of pumps when they are operating in duty assist mode.
The pump may be on a “soft start” where it takes an extended time period to ramp up to full speed.

Why Flowcheck pumping station surveys are superior

Our Engineers take accurate measurements of flow and pressure to determine exactly how a pumping system is performing.

We can measure the performance of individual pumps and determine the hydraulic characteristics of the rising main.

We can provide long term monitoring and data logging to capture specific events e.g. conditions at the time of a storm overflow spill.

Whatever type of pumping station survey you require, accurate flow measurement is essential.

Flowcheck is a certified MCERTS inspection company and specialises in flow measurement.