Stuart Savill, head of engineering at leading pump and water boosting solutions provider Stuart Turner, describes what we should be looking for in water performance, how it is being impacted and how technology can support improvements.
When it comes to water performance, efficiency and effectiveness of a water system are perhaps the two main priorities that end-users are looking for. Within this, factors include water pressure, flow rate, quality, and overall reliability of supply.
Key indicators for assessing water performance include looking at pressure, the force exerted by water as it flows through pipes, and flow rate, the volume of water delivered over a specific time. These factors are interconnected, as pressure influences flow rate and vice versa.
By improving water performance in both residential and commercial settings, users can benefit in many way – from the economic advantages of substantial cost savings for homes and businesses to boosting environmental sustainability, reducing water consumption and waste.
What is impacting water performance?
There are several challenges that can impact water performance. For homeowners and businesses, water pressure can often be luck of the draw and can fluctuate significantly depending on location. Being located on higher elevations or at the end of the water supply network, for example, force limitations onto the water pressure the property will receive and can lead to lower water pressure even when demand isn’t high.
Water pressure regulations require that water companies maintain a minimum pressure of water in the communication pipe serving the premises. The guaranteed standards scheme sets out a minimum pressure of 7 meters static head (0.7 bar) to the boundary stop tap. However, it is well documented that the UK is home to an outdated and in some cases inadequate water infrastructure, which poses sector wide issues. Having old, deteriorating or leaking pipes can significantly restrict water flow and therefore impact performance.
There are, of course, also the fluctuations in demand that will ultimately have a knock-on effect, with reduced pressure and flow rates at peak water demand periods. For example, in the morning, while there are multiple homes needing water for showers this can put a strain on the system and impact the performance for individuals at that time, compared with taking a shower in the middle of the day when demand is less.
Sourcing a solution
While there are of course larger and more important goals to hit when it comes to water performance – updating water infrastructure, looking at sustainable measures and tackling challenges at the source – advancements in technology offer innovative solutions to enhance water performance in the interim.
At Stuart Turner, our STORMBOOST pump is the latest piece of equipment designed by our team of in-house specialist to increase existing mains water pressure by up to 2.5 bar and a maximum flow rate of 12 litres per minute. STORMBOOST has been designed to connect directly to incoming cold-water mains and activates automatically when an outlet is open – a tap or shower for example – boosting mains water pressure and flow throughout a property.
Designed for residential use, this product helps to address those water pressure and flow fluctuations that homeowners may find out of their control, particularly if the problem lies in the location.
Other options for different scenarios include water booster sets, which are more tailored to flats and other multi-storey buildings. These systems ensure consistent water pressure to all floor levels.
Stuart Turner also designs and provides a range of products tailored for commercial applications, helping to enhance water performance across various industries. The Aquaboost line offers standard and bespoke cold water boosting sets and integrated booster systems, while Mainsboost is another flow boosting system option, delivering improved performance from unvented water cylinders and combination boilers.
Final thoughts
By harnessing technology, such as pumps or high-pressure storage systems, we can overcome challenges like low water pressure and inconsistent flow rates. For instance, storing water at high pressure during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak demand can significantly improve water performance.
Additionally, technologies that monitor and analyse water usage patterns can help identify areas for improvement and optimise systems efficiency.
In conclusion, improving water performance is essential for environmental, economic, and social well-being. By addressing challenges through innovative technologies and data-driven approaches, we can ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply for future generations.
For more information on Stuart Turner visit Pump Manufacturer | Mains Booster Pump | Stuart Turner (stuart-turner.co.uk).
