Knowing how to install and operate a dewatering pump is essential for many construction, environmental restoration and plumbing jobs. You can get this information online or through classes and industry events, although it's usually a good idea to get experience with dewatering pumps through a combination of all three. This gives you a wider range of installation methods and trouble shooting.

Learning how to use a dewatering pump is also important in a variety of other industries, from boating to water management. Experience with dewatering equipment can help you make important decisions and plans in related industries, even if you don't plan to use the pumps yourself. To learn more about dewatering pumps education and training opportunities, consider the following:

1. Research dewatering pump information online.
2. Take classes on dewatering and dewatering methods and applications.
3. Attend industry events to connect with other professionals and continue your industrial dewatering pump education.
   

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Find out about dewatering pumps online

If you're looking for information about a specific type of pump or how dewatering pump is used in a specific dewatering process, you can often find information online. While many classes and job-training provide a basic overview, information online can help you learn more about the specific types of dewatering pumps you're most interested in. Learning how multiple types of dewatering pumps work can help expand your business and improve your installation techniques.

I recommend: Learn more about wellpoint dewatering pumps at Associated Construction Publications, or check out information on how vacuum dewatering pumps are used at Mine Engineer.

Take classes in dewatering pumps

Dewatering pump suppliers and industry associations offer classes in basic dewatering and draining. These classes can help you learn more about industrial dewatering pumps and other dewatering processes. By attending classes, you can learn about the different types of dewatering pumps and which type of pump is best to use in a given situation, as well as receive training in pump installation and repair.

I recommend: Check out classes on dewatering methods, including dewatering pumps, offered by the American Filtration & Separations Society. Learn more about dewatering pumps by taking a class on dewatering design and applications from University of Delaware College of Engineering.

Attend workshops, trade shows and conferences to learn more about dewatering pumps

Dewatering pump sellers, distributors and installation and repair services have the opportunity to get together and exchange ideas at trade shows, workshops and conferences. Trade shows and conferences are a great way to learn about emerging technologies and brush up on old ones, while workshops provide you with hands-on experience in new methods and applications. In addition, you can network and discuss problems and tips with dewatering pump distributors and others in the dewatering profession.

I recommend: Learn more information about dewatering pumps by attending Pumps & Systems events, or check out dewatering pumps at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Additional educational information on commercial dewatering pumps and other models is often available from your local dewatering pump supplier or online retailer. Often, they can help you fix problems associated with a particular method or model.

Whether you're draining a ditch or pit, transferring or handling dirty water or excavating drainage for a building project, finding the right dewatering pumps for the job can make or break a project or your company.

Dewatering pumps for smaller applications are generally portable, while larger projects require a stationary unit. Most dewatering pump sellers offer standard units, but you can also find custom units to fit your specific need.

To find the right commercial dewatering pumps for you:

1. Determine the size of your project need.

2. Determine the quantity of dewatering pumps that you require.

3. Consult with your provider about installation if you are not already a professional user of dewatering pumps. Find out if they offer any training videos or webinar training on installation.

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Find high quality dewatering pumps

Don't settle for anything less than a high quality brands of dewatering pumps. Find a dewatering pump distributor whose price and product fit your particular need.

I recommend: Visit BJM Pumps to find sump pumps, high performance pumps and portable dewatering pumps. Their Bullet Pumps (R-Series submersible pumps) are great for dewatering construction sites, mines, circulating fountain water or for all-purpose use in industrial surroundings. PumpStoreUSA.com sells all-purpose dewatering, irrigation, spraying, washdown and agricultural supplies.

Choose from a variety of dewatering pump distributors

Whether they manufacture the dewatering pumps themselves or they distribute a number of manufacturers, finding the best seller of dewatering pumps can help you find the machine with the right control for you. You can easily buy dewatering pumps online from a number of reputable suppliers.

I recommend: Check out the 1DW (1 1/2") dewatering pump that Goulds Pumps has to offer. Godwin Pumps of America, Inc. sells a line of sub-prime electric submersible dewatering pumps. The submersible dewatering pumps from Stancor come in a variety of sizes and capabilities.

Find heavy duty dewatering pump suppliers

Look for heavy duty dewatering pumps for your heavy industrial needs. Heavy duty dewatering pump sellers specialize in products for industries including but not limited to construction and mining.

I recommend: Complete Dewatering Pumps & Wellpoints, Inc. is a manufacturer of a range of diesel and electric powered pumps for construction and municipal needs. They have both a diesel and an electric commercial dewatering pump. One of their vacuum pump designs is even capable of operating the system if failure occurs. Northern Dewatering, Inc. provides pipes in both the construction and mining industries. Their dewatering capabilities include both jetted and drilled wells, well-point systems and sumping capabilities. Piranha industrial duty dewatering pumps are available in a variety of sizes and capabilities as well. Their website offers an interesting video of a dam project that they helped work on.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider not only commercial dewatering pumps, but also a dewatering consultant if your project is too large or too complex for you to handle by yourself.

Dewatering pumps are useful in various industries, ranging from the construction industry to the chemical industry. To choose the right dewatering pump, as per your application requirement, you will need to be aware of different types of dewatering pumps.

While interacting with suppliers of dewatering pumps, you will come across various technical terms that denote properties and characteristics of dewatering pumps. This guide will familiarize you with the key terms of dewatering pumps, including NPSH, viscosity, pump curve, fluid rate and pump head.

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NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head)

NPSH is defined as the absolute pressure of a fluid at the pump inlet minus the vapor pressure of the liquid. As the piston speed and capacity increases, the required NPSH of a dewatering pump also increases.

I recommend: The Engineering ToolBox provides detailed information about NPSH.

Viscosity

Viscosity of the fluid is an important parameter for the design and performance of a dewatering pump. Viscosity indicates the resistance of the fluid to flow. The more viscous the liquid, the lower its flowing rate.

I recommend: To understand the meaning of viscosity and its units, read through information at STLE (Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers). Additionally, Eaton Corporation offers a hydraulics glossary that explains various definitions, including viscosity.

Pump curve

Pump curve evaluates the efficiency of all pumps, including dewatering pumps. In a pump curve, the fluid flow is plotted on the X-axis and the pump head on the Y-axis.

I recommend: You can read through detailed information on various aspects of a pump curve at Cole-Parmer, a leading supplier of pumps.

GPM (Gallons Per Minute)

GPM is the capacity of a dewatering pump to impel water. The unit of this measurement is cubic meter per minute.

I recommend: You can get information on GPM at KnowledgeDoor, an online resource.

Pump impeller

A pump impeller is a rotating device that pushes liquids, gases or vapors into a desired direction. Axial and radial are the most common type of pump impellers.

I recommend: Learn more about pump impellers and the various types of impellers at Engineers Edge, a useful resource for technical information on engineering components.

Flow rate (fluid flow rate)

Before selecting a dewatering pump, you must define the flow rate for your application. Flow rate is the amount of system fluid that passes through a pump per unit of time.

I recommend: To understand the definition of flow rate, read through the glossary of hydraulic terms at Nova Hydraulics, a reputable company in the field of hydraulic product repairs.

Pump head

When a dewatering pump operates, the liquid moves rapidly inside the pump. The force of this moving liquid exerts tremendous pressure. This pressure, measured in feet, is pump head.

I recommend: You can read through basic information on pump head and the formula to calculate it, at impeller.net.