Reducing Power Costs for Pumping Water

Abstract

This article discusses the adjustment of pumping procedures as water usage rates change as a method of reducing power costs for pumping water. In general treated water is stored in ground‐storage tanks and then transferred to elevated storage tanks, by pumping, when the water level in the elevated storage tank falls below a preset point. The key idea in the cost‐cutting procedure is to lower the preset points during periods of low water consumption so that the pump is activated fewer times but runs longer. Research shows that it is more expensive to have the pump activated frequently for short periods of time than it is to have it activated less often but run longer.