Installation and Maintenance of Water Pumps and Tanks
In many urban and suburban areas of Nigeria, both homes and businesses rely on auxiliary systems for water storage and distribution, especially when the public supply is irregular. Water pumps and overhead or underground tanks play a crucial role in ensuring daily water access, even during low-pressure periods or frequent outages.
A Solution to Shortages or Low Pressure
The installation of pumps and tanks has become increasingly common in areas where public water services are inconsistent or where network pressure is insufficient to adequately supply all points of use within a building. Pumps help lift water from wells, cisterns, or public systems, while tanks store the water for later use in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas.
Types of Pumps and Tanks
There are different types of water pumps depending on their function and system design:
- Submersible pumps: Installed inside wells or underground cisterns and activated to raise water to overhead tanks.
- Pressure booster pumps: Installed at the tank outlet to maintain constant pressure in the internal water system.
- Surface centrifugal pumps: Common in simple setups, these draw water from a low source to a higher point.
Tanks can be made of plastic, metal, or concrete, and are placed on rooftops, elevated towers, or underground. Their capacity varies depending on the needs of the household or business.
Maintenance and Periodic Checks
Both pumps and tanks require regular maintenance to function efficiently and safely. Key tasks include:
- Cleaning the inside of the tank to prevent buildup of sediment or bacteria.
- Inspecting check valves, float switches, and level sensors.
- Verifying the motor and electrical components of the pump.
- Checking for leaks in the connections between the tank and the plumbing system.
Preventive maintenance helps extend the life of the equipment and avoids unexpected failures, such as motor overheating or pipe blockages due to debris buildup.
Risks of Poor Installation
Improper installation—without proper pressure calculations or automatic shut-off systems—can cause damage to the plumbing network, excessive energy consumption, or even tank rupture due to overfilling. That’s why it’s important to rely on trained professionals who can assess the building structure, the height needed for appropriate pressure, and the type of pump suitable for the volume of water use.