Utility Water Pumps

Utility water pumps are general-purpose water pumps which may be used for a variety of different applications, usually on the small or medium scale. The utility water pump is typically of a portable size. Utility water pumps are usually (but not always) intended exclusively for use with freshwater, but not saltwater, oil or other liquids.

The most common types of applications for which utility water pumps are used include:

- pool covers

- basement sump pumps

- removing water from holes

- for making small or medium fountains

- for oxygenating small ponds.

The secret to the utility pump's ability to work is the impeller. The impeller is a rotating blade which operates in a cylindrical housing, causing the water to be pushed against the tubing wall. This action results in fast water outflow from the pump and therefore high pressure.

Key Considerations When Buying Utility Water Pumps

One of the most important, but often overlooked factors in selecting a utility water pump is making sure the inlet size is sufficiently large. This size will depend on what other non-liquid material (if any) which may be present in the fluid to be pumped.

Another important selection criterion for utility water pumps is the power source. The most commonly available are in direct current or alternating current. However, other power options are also available which include diesel, gasoline, and solar power. Some utility water pumps come with a backup power option, which is a must for use in applications where the pump needs to continue functioning during an outage.

Not all utility water pumps are submersible. So for some applications such as marine use, it is critical to ensure a submersible water pump is selected, whereas this is not a concern for a pool cover pump.

Furthermore, not all utility water pumps are rated for continuous use. Indeed, most of these are designed for intermittent use, often on a duty cycle where the pump automatically switches between pumping and being idle for specified lengths of time. It is therefore important to check that the length of the cycle in the specifications is appropriate for the application.

Utility Water Pumps For Water Removal

In cases where the utility pump is to be used for water removal, it is particularly important to select a utility water pump which will remove all the water. Water therefore needs to be removed by the pump at a faster rate than the largest expected rate at which the water comes into the area of interest.

When selecting a utility pump which can handle the job, it is not sufficient simply to look at the maximal pump rate in the specifications. A maximum pump rate is simply that: a maximum. Other factors come into play in the real world, which will make the pump operate more slowly than that. These factors include:

• the inlet size of the pump - if too small it will start limiting the rate of flow into the pump
• how frequently the pump completes cycles on and off, if on a duty cycle
• the continuous availability of the power source and its backup if applicable

Choosing Utility Water Pumps

Utility water pumps can be used for a wide variety of tasks where fast removal or transfer of water is desired. When selecting a utility water pump, it is important to consider inlet size, power source (and backup if applicable), whether the pump needs to be submersible, the speed of the pump and the availability of water pump replacement of its parts when required.