Bore pumps affected by Canterbury earthquake
Released 24 Sep 2010
Please exercise caution when starting bore pumps
Federated Farmers and Irrigation New Zealand are asking farmers to please exercise caution when starting bore pumps in zones affected by the Canterbury Earthquake.
The best way to ensure the pumps are operating correctly is to have them checked by an electrician, before starting the pump.
However, in the event that this is not possible, so please consider the following points:
- Please refer to your maintenance manual, supplied with your pump, for a guide to how the pump should be performing (for example flow rates, speed and kilowatts
- Discharge the first flush to get rid of any potentially silty water
- Borehole pumps must be run up to at least 30 Hz immediately. Speed is sometimes displayed on electronic pump drives
- Pumps can be started either against a fully closed, or a valve closed to 90 percent in order to control the rate of column filling
- It is critical that you slowly start opening and then adjust the valve opening percentage within 15 seconds, this will control the rate of air discharge to fill the rising column
- Monitor the water being discharged closely for sediments content and do not leave it running unattended
- There is a risk that if you run the pump to full performance too soon, this will draw in unnecessary levels of silt, this can potentially cause damage to the pump
- If the water does not start to get clearer within a few minutes of running the pump, you may need to have the well redeveloped by a professional well driller.
For more information, please contact:
Irrigation New Zealand
Phone: 03 379 3820
