An Overview of Water Booster Pump Stations

Every home and business relies on having unfettered access to freshwater. Water distribution systems are vital to our daily lives. We rely on them for sanitation, manufacturing, agriculture, and consumption. Adequate water pressure must be maintained for water distribution systems to work properly. Civil engineers leverage gravity to make water distribution systems work, but in areas where the terrain is uneven, booster pumps (and booster stations) are used to help maintain appropriate water pressure levels.

Simply put, water pressure is the force at which water travels through a pipe. Water pressure is measures in pounds per square inch (psi). It is normal for water pressure in homes to be between 30 and 80 psi, with anything over 80 psi being a code violation.

Municipal water systems use sensors to send information about pressure levels as water flows through the pipes. Having an understanding of where the water pressure is too low can help operators diagnose equipment problems, perform preventative maintenance, or discover locations where supplementary booster pump stations are needed.

Vertical Climb

Thanks to gravity, water naturally flows downhill with no effort. However, it’s rare that the local terrain only follows a steady downhill slope. Booster pumps help maintain water pressure levels in cases where the water needs to flow uphill or climb through several stories in a building.

Distance Traveled

Water tends to lose pressure the further it travels from its point of origin. This is caused by variations in the terrain and from the slight amount of friction that exists between the water and the lining of the pipe it flows through. While liquid friction has a low impact over short distances, it can create a noticeable impact on water pressure levels over longer distances.

System Demand

Every time someone opens a faucet, water is diverted from the main flow. When many people are drawing from the water supply system simultaneously, it can impact the overall water pressure greatly. In cases where water pressure is low from high demand, water operators need to increase overall flow volume at peak times.

System Problems

Water utilities often use remote sensors to determine the water pressure at different points in the system. Unexpected changes in pressure may point to an equipment problem. One of the advantages of constant pressure monitoring is that providers can detect leaks and blockages before they significantly impact the system.

What is a Booster Pump?

A booster pump is a single unit designed to increase water pressure. While lift stations are used in wastewater collection systems, booster pumps are specific to freshwater distribution systems. These devices consist of a motor, impeller, inlet, and outlet. Most pumps use a spinning fan to move liquid. However, some use an oscillating diaphragm to squeeze water into the system. With SCADA technology, booster pumps are fitted with sensors to measure and report water pressure and flow rate.

Municipal Water Booster Pump Stations

Depending on the terrain, pump stations may be the only way to supply customers with the water they need. Municipal water utilities frequently employ SCADA technology to keep the system running smoothly.

Irrigation Systems

If water doesn’t have enough power, the spray from irrigation systems won’t have a far enough reach. Additional pumps will increase the water pressure.

Supplemental Tank Systems

Water towers and tanks are familiar sights across the country. Many towns place their towers at higher elevations so that the force of gravity will let the water flow when needed. However, additional pumps are often necessary to bring water into the storage unit.

High Rise Buildings

Multi-story buildings require pump systems to bring water to the upper levels at the proper pressure. The patron paying for the penthouse suite will want the same pressure as someone on the first floor.

A supervisory control and data acquisition system is a natural fit for water systems that employ pumps as water pressure boosters. SCADA technology allows management teams to observe the current conditions at any point in the water supply. Comparing past and present performance will lead to a faster response time to maintenance issues. Regular monitoring will help determine the ideal placement for additional water pressure boosters as the system expands.

An additional benefit of a cloud-based SCADA system is that automations can be triggered based on predetermined thresholds and operating conditions. For example, a booster pump station can be programmed to increase or decrease water pressure based on flow metrics, peak times, or other significant parameters designed to optimize a system’s flow.

SCADA analysis helps utilities maintain consistent performance throughout the system. Sensors will send automatic alerts when there are unexpected problems. The team can also program the equipment to respond immediately to increased demands or other factors that impact water pressure.

The Importance of Monitoring Booster Pumps