Water pumps are useful in various industries, including food and beverage, chemical, agriculture and pharmaceutical. Whether you're looking for commercial water pumps or industrial water pumps, you need the one that will fit your needs best. Consider all your options before deciding on the water pump system you buy, based on your size, pressure and power-source requirements.

Determine the kind of water pump you need by looking at the job you need done. Are your purposes industrial? Are you implementing a water circulation system for cooling or purifying? Are you looking for pumps for decorational fountains? Get all the water pumps information you need by following a few simple steps:

1. Get an idea of the types of water pumps available.
2. Look into multipurpose water pumps.
3. Weigh needs for your water pump specifications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Educate yourself on the plethora of water pumps

You have lots of options when starting out: commercial water pumps and industrial water pumps; electric water pumps, gas water pumps and solar water pumps. You can even choose a hand water pump. Keep the placement and task of your water pump in mind; a solar water pump has different requirements and capabilities than a submersible pump. Water fountain pumps are widely used in public buildings. An industrial environment, such as a treatment plant or a water-cooled factory system, will require pumps capable of withstanding continuous and heavy workloads.

I recommend: Rife has several categories, including solar water pumps and a hand water pump information table. If you're looking for metering/control pumps, look at LMI Milton Roy.

Streamline your business with a multipurpose water pump

Other than size, power and style, you still have lots of water pump options. Many kinds of water pumps will work with other liquids, such as chemicals, abrasives, oils and food-related products. If your business involves other materials, consider the use of a water pump that can handle those as well. You'll cut your costs and increase your efficiency.

I recommend: Grainger has an excellent selection of water pumps to choose from, as does PumpBiz; ITT has products for several different industries and materials.

Weigh specifications for your water pumps

Now that you have an idea for what type and model water pump you can use, start looking at your specifications. Find out pump capacities, power needs and output strength from distributors. Weigh every consideration regarding your implementation and choose the option that best fits your needs. Get a direct quote when you can and compare prices.

I recommend: Check out Northern Tool + Equipment, and product and pricing information is available at the Alternative Energy Store to give you a few estimates. You can also get a quote from DJ Gongol & Associates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It never hurts to check out consumer information guides to get ratings for water pumps and suppliers; check online for independent feedback groups and see what customers have to say about various water pump manufacturers.

No matter whether it's water fountain pumps, waste water pump setups, or solar or gas water pumps, water pumps are complicated machines. They're used in a lot of different businesses from engineering to land management, agriculture and housing. There's a whole lot of gear that's useful for going along with water pumps, but here are a few of the things businesses may generally look for in using water pumps.

Online vendors with a web presence can sell you these accessories, parts and tools for keeping water coming from a water pump operation. Buyers may look for:

1. Motors and engines for solar commercial water pumps, electric water pump installations, or other operational setups.

2. Water level sensors and indicators for figuring out what's below a water pump.

3. Other gear for supplying, using and outfitting electric or hand water pump setups.

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Find water pump motors and engines

The engine is the heart of a water pump; that's what makes it go. Businesses often use electrical industrial water pumps, but now with the coming 'green revolution,' solar water pumps are also much in demand. Either way, get convenient online buys and setups from providers anticipating your needs.

I recommend: Get solar engines for solar water pumps and other useful systems at SouthWest Photovoltaic Systems. Get visual display and a choice in electric motors for water pumps at PumpBiz.

Look for water level sensors for water pumps

Why are these important for water pumps? Well, a water level sensor will evaluate the changing levels of the water table below a pump, and when you're looking for water, this kind of data means everything. Look to suppliers to get great water level sensors and monitoring equipment.

I recommend: Find specialized water level sensors for pumps at Global Water Instrumentation online. Stevens also offers many tools for keeping track of the water table under a water pump. Stevens: "Monitoring the earth's water resources since 1911!"

Find places for getting water pump tools like hosing, screens and other gear

From screens for filtering, to hoses, to well caps, all of the other things you can use for setting up a water pump are also online. Check out product offerings from detailed catalog pages and get what you need.

I recommend: Get air volume controls, canal screens, electrical controls, flexible tubing and hose and a lot more from King Pump with online product pages for identifying your needs. A lot more in water pump accessories are available at Northern Tool + Equipment, a large business supplier.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you're on the hunt for optimal systems to set up industrial water pumps, consider where you're placing your pump. How much cover does it need from the elements, and how will it integrate with the existing well? Knowing your well diameter and other measurements is critical for buying the right tools for water pump operation.

Water pumps keep water flowing in and out of fountains, sewage systems and other specialty water works. Water pumps can also be powered by different methods: gas and electric water pumps are the most common, but solar water pumps are also available for businesses looking for energy-efficient construction features.

No matter what type of pump you work with, training for the system is key to handling installation and maintenance issues. Water pumps education and training is likely to take place through the manufacturer of any particular water pump model. You can find additional water pumps information, plus educational and training resources through:

1. Organizations promoting solar water pumps and other environmentally friendly technologies.

2. Online articles and instructional videos.

3. Product manuals and setup instructions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use manufacturer resources to learn about commercial water pumps

You can get custom installation and user information for your water pump from the manufacturer. While most water pump manufacturers offer to install their products, it is essential that you are also knowledgeable of the installation process if you need to troubleshoot any problems later on.

I recommend: Sun Pumps, a manufacturer of solar water pumps, provides detailed videos, product manuals and additional resources for each of its products. Patterson Pumps offers training on multiple installation and maintenance topics related to water pumps.

Check out seminars and workshops that teach you how to install a water pump system

If you plan to work with specific types of water pumps, there are many seminars, workshops and webinars that can teach you the skills necessary to properly install and maintain a water pump system. Seminars cover topics such as installation, types of power used, and new technologies for these products to work more efficiently.

I recommend: Conergy provides webinars that show you how to install solar water pump systems and components. EDS Pumps and Water Treatment provides a listing of seminars dedicated to different water pump systems available from the company.

Know the regulations for installing and maintaining a water pump system

Whether you are installing a small water pump for an indoor fountain or have bigger plans, you must check with local and state government agencies to make sure you comply with regulations. These rules are in place to monitor the amount and type of waste water that could make its way into the larger water supply.

I recommend: The Oklahoma Water Resources Board provides guidelines for those who are drilling for a water well and installing a pump. The Environmental Protection Agency also provides guidelines and educational information about water pumps that connect to ground water, drinking water and wetland systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even though it requires no direct power source, those looking to install and maintain a hand water pump should refer to product manuals and training sessions that teach general plumbing skills.

Water pumps are used in a variety of industries for a variety of different reasons. However, all water pumps mainly serve the same purpose - to pump water. Knowing the proper water pump key terms will enhance your conversation with your water pump specialist. Key terms describe the parts, the styles, and the features of water pumps. Head pressure, pump capacity, and pump clearance all discuss the functions and use of water pumps. The terms sump pump, centrifugal, and kinetic all refer to the design and style of water pump.

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Head pressure

Head pressure is a term that is most often heard when discussing the power of a water pump. In a water pump manual, head pressure technically means the vertical discharge pressure head. This is the height at which a pump no longer has enough pressure to move water. Pumps with higher head pressure are more powerful than those with lower head pressure.

I recommend: Aquarium Pros discuss more about head pressure and water pumps.

Pump capacity

The pump capacity is the measure of the water flow from the pump per hour. It also describes how high the pump raises water.

I recommend: Find out more about pump capacity from Creating Pond Water Features.

Pump clearance

The pump clearance refers to the height of the pump about the bottom of the well. Pump clearance is important in order to keep dirt, mud, and other ground particulars form the pump and out of the water.

I recommend: Read about pump clearance from Inspect NY. You'll need to scroll past the diagram.

Sump pump

A sump pump is a water pump that uses a motor to spin a blade. They are inserted with a sump bucket that sits in the floor of a basement. When the water level reaches a certain height, the motor turns on. The motor then pushes the water out of the building through a hose.

I recommend: Find a discussion of the sump pump from Wise Geek.

Centrifugal

A water pump with a centrifugal design has a rotating impeller. The impeller pulls the water into the pump.

I recommend: Pumps in Stock discusses the centrifugal water pump design; scroll down to the different designs of pumps.

Water ram pumps

These pumps make use of a running stream water force and hydraulics to move water. They do not use any type of electricity to push water. These pumps have a simple design and have been used for many years. These pumps are most often used for farming water needs to irrigate crops.

I recommend: View how a water ram pump works from How Stuff Works.