The water pump

The job of a water pump is to move rainwater from where it is stored to where it is needed  

at a flow rate and pressure that meets your needs. Modern electric pumps are quiet and maintenance free and have sophisticated pressure switches that allows the pump to turn on and off automatically when you turn on the tap. 

A pump is rated on how fast it can pump water – the flow rate, expressed in litres per minute, and the maximum height that to which it can lift water against gravity – referred to as ‘head’ and usually measured in metres. There are a lot of factors that can affect flow rate and head, so it’s a good idea to get some expert advice from a pump specialist who will ensure that the pump is properly matched to your needs, and you get the water where you want it, at the pressure you need.  

For example – a pump connected to the laundry and bathrooms in a four-bedroom house with 5 occupants will require a much higher rating than a pump for occasional garden hose usage. 

To avoid the ‘shower dance’, if you want water pressure to remain constant as you turn more taps on, you will need a variable speed pump. As you turn taps on and off, the motor speed adjusts accordingly giving you constant water pressure.   

To avoid having to switch the pump on and off manually each time you need it, an automatic pressure device is a good idea as this allows the pump to turn on and off automatically when you turn on the tap.  

If pump noise is likely to be a problem and you need a quiet pump, a submersible pump is a good idea. This sits inside the tank and, being underwater, is much quieter than a regular pump.   

Filter systems

If you don’t have a mains water connection and rely upon rainwater for all your domestic needs, you will need a ‘whole of house’ filter system. This would typically contain two separate filters and a UV filter in a single integrated unit. 

A filter allows fluid to pass through but retains any solid particles. Filters typically have a micron rating which is the size at which particles are retained by the filter. A micron is a thousandth of a millimetre, and a five-micron filter will stop particles of five microns or larger from passing through the media. In a domestic filter, you may have, for example, a 10-micron prefilter and a 1-micron fine filter. 

The third part is a UV filter that uses ultraviolet rays to penetrate harmful pathogens and destroy illness-causing microorganisms by attacking their genetic core. UV filtration kills 99.9% of bacteria and is environmentally friendly and chemical free.   

Maintenance

Water pumps are usually maintenance free, and a good pump will provide many years of service. 

It is a good practice to regularly change out the filter cartridges on your system. Some filters can be cleaned and re-used while others are single-use only. Filters should be changed every twelve months or sooner, depending on how dirty the water is and how much water is being filtered by the system. A whole-of-house system will probably require filter changes every six months. If you are using a UV filtration system, you should regularly check to ensure the UV light is working, and it is good practice to have a spare light as a standby. If the light fails, you should obtain assistance from a qualified professional to replace it.   

A well designed and maintained delivery system will supply your house and family with clean, fresh, healthy, and perfectly safe water that you can use for any purpose.