Choosing The Right Water Pump For Your Construction Site
10th May 2023
Water pumps are an essential piece of machinery on any construction site. And sourcing the right one for your site requirements is crucial.
Here, we’ll look at everything you need to know to choose the right water pump for your construction site and recommend our best pumps up to the task.
What Are The Different Types Of Pumps Available?
There’s no shortage of water pumps available in the construction industry. So, take the time to ensure you’re selecting the right pump that will help you complete projects in a safe and timely manner.
4 of the most common water pumps you’ll come across include:
Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps are widely used in the construction industry in tunnel and foundation pits to remove sludge, oil and sewage.
They feature a rotating impeller that moves water into the pump before discharging it. The impeller creates a vortex, using atmospheric pressure to take water from the outside and make it rise through the pump.
Displacement Pumps
Displacement pumps are either classified as reciprocating pumps or diaphragm pumps.
Reciprocating pumps are well-suited for use in oil and gas industries and work by moving a piston through a cylinder. The piston draws water into the cylinder and pushes it out the other end.
Diaphragm pumps, on the other hand, work by drawing water into a cylinder by raising and lowering of a diaphragm. They’re ideal for handling a range of wastewater liquid like fluids, sludges and water.
Submersible Pumps
Submersible pumps (also known as sump pumps or electric submersible pumps) are commonly used in construction for heavy-duty lifting of gritty water.
They lower the groundwater to remove water from a deep sump. The unit consists of a sealed motor-close coupled to the pump body.
Airlift Pumps
Airlift pumps consist of a vertical pipe submerged in a well. Compressed air is blown down into the lower point of the pipe, carrying the water up to the delivery area.
Airlift pumps are well-suited to shifting silt from the base of a cofferdam.
5 Things to Consider Before Buying A Water Pump
1. Pump Size
Before you purchase a pump, you’ll need to understand the size and number of pumps you require.
If you’ll be extracting water from a large area over an extended period of time, you’ll likely need several pumps to achieve evenly distributed water removal from the site.
Just be careful not to overestimate the pump size you require otherwise you may end up with overheating or pump failure.
2. Quality of Liquid
The type of water/waste water you’re dealing with will determine what pump type is best for you.
In some cases, silt, muddy water, corrosive or abrasive materials may also need to be extracted along with the water from your site. Pumping these liquids without the right equipment will seriously damage the pump.
3. Flow Rate
The correct flow rate for your project will depend on the size of the excavation and the quantity of groundwater you need to remove.
For example, a pump with a flow rate of 20 litres per second may be enough for a small site, whereas a 64 litres per second model is more suitable for heavy extraction projects.
4. Portability
Having the ability to move the pump to different spots on the site greatly enhances its usability.
So, if portability and usability is important to you, you’ll want to keep an eye out for features like trailer mount, lifting beams or forklift points.
5. Other Considerations
When purchasing a water pump for your construction site, there’s a few additional factors you’ll want to consider. These include:
- Power: What horsepower do you require?
- Durability: Do you require weather or corrosion resistant materials?
- Motor and fuel type: Are you after electric, gas, diesel, hydraulic or manual?
- Gradient: What sort of gradient will you need to pump liquid over?
- Noise: Are there noise regulations you need to consider?
Impulse Mobile Pumps – Our Top Construction Water Pumps
Impulse are front runners in construction pumping equipment due to their cutting-edge innovation, optimal fuel consumption and impressive lifespan.
Purpose built for construction sites and rental applications, Impulse mobile pumps feature inbuilt telemetry systems and are highly fuel efficient to align with government regulations.
Our top 2 picks include:
1. The Wellpoint Dewatering Pump – The Best For Draining & Drying
The Impulse Wellpoint dewatering pump is a reciprocated piston pump specially designed for draining and drying on construction sites with limited groundwater.
Diesel driven and cost efficient, the Wellpoint dewatering pump is a top of the line dewatering solution for any urban or commercial construction site. It features a user-friendly control panel with an inbuilt telemetry system and a robust noise reducing canopy, making it suitable for use on noise sensitive construction sites.
Key features of the Wellpoint Dewatering Pump include:
- Cylinder diameter: 175mm
- Engine power: 7.5 kW
- Capacity: 90 m3/h
- Head: 22 mwc
- Vacuum 9.5 mtr
2. Impulse Ecomizer Dewatering Pump – The Best For Sewer Bypass
The Impulse Ecomizer is specially designed for sewer bypass projects and general on-site flood control during mining, construction and civil works.
The Ecomizer is a 6 inch diesel driven pump with built-in galvanised stacking frame and an inbuilt telemetry system to guarantee a long service life. It is a highly efficient option with a range of key features including a noise-reducing canopy and user-friendly interface.
Key features of the Impulse Ecomizer include:
- Cylinder diameter: 6 inch non return flap valve
- Engine: Hatz 3H50T Stage 5 diesel engine with electrical start/stop system
- Capacity: 90 m3/h
- Vacuum: DM40 vacuum system equipped with electro magnetic clutch
Get The Right Advice, Contact Us Today
With years of experience, you can rely on Blue Diamond Machinery to provide the right advice and a dewatering pump to meet your unique requirements.
For more information on the best model to suit your power requirements, contact us today or speak to one of our expert team on 1300 998 647.