How to Run Sewer Pump Stations at a Baseball Stadium without Striking Out

Sewer pump stations at a baseball stadiums are important to both guest and player satisfaction.

How to Run Sewer Pump Stations at a Baseball Stadium without Striking Out

Let’s face it – one thing you do not want at a baseball stadium is a backed up or dysfunctional sewer pump station! Loud crowds and messy restroom areas are a sure bet you will miss the mark and lose the crowds. However, you can install and run sewer pump stations without striking out. Take a look at some of the options available for you.


Submersible Non-Clog Stations

These kinds of pumps have motors that are watertight since they operate underwater. They are capable of handling waste up to the size of a tennis ball, which is why it is called a non-clog station. Easily maintained without having to get into waste water, this type of station is often preferred by maintenance men. Not to mention, they are economical to run.


Dry Pit Stations

In this type of station, the pumps are located in a vault or dry-pit. The pumps in dry-pit pump stations are not submersed in sewage. These particular stations are located near a wet-well that is connected to sewage pumps via pipes. Sewage flows into the wet-well and is pumped into a forced main. This type of station is preferred by some because it does not require much in the way of repairs due to its lack of contact with sewage and it is easy to reach the parts for repair.

If you’re in charge of a sports facility and need professional advice on installing and maintaining a sewer pump station there, contact W. P. Law, Inc.

Can We Really Trust Sewage Pump Stations?

Sewage pump stations have a lot of elements involved – here’s some insight on how reliable they are.

Can We Really Trust Sewage Pump Stations?

The first thing that must be considered is the structural integrity of the sewage pump station. When was it built? Who built it? What type of materials were used in the construction process?

These are some extremely important questions that can point to the durability and dependability of the structure. There should be regular examinations to test the structural integrity of the plant.

The quality of the sewage pump station equipment being used must also be considered. Many times cost is over-considered in lieu of quality and longevity. When this happens the rate of failure and compromise increases drastically. Regular and adequate maintenance can be considered a part of this particular issue. Often, oversight in maintenance accelerates the deterioration of the equipment, which will ultimately lead to the failure of that equipment and the compromise of the sewage infrastructure in general.

One of the most important things that must be considered in this discussion is human involvement and human error. How competent are the people responsible for operating the pumping station? This question applies to the engineers who determine the capacity of the station on to the operators that are responsible for managing and operating the site. The experience of those operating the station plays a major role in how effective and safe that station is.

So in answering the question of whether or not we can trust sewage pump stations, the answer is simply that it depends on the variables listed and the competence of the personnel involved. Each situation will be different, so it is up to us to learn as much about the stations near us in order to be aware and prepared.

W. P. Law, Inc. has a long history of providing direction, product application recommendations, and supplies for sewage pump stations throughout the southeast. For more information on how we can help your municipality, contact us here: www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact

The Crystal Palace’s Guide to Greenhouse Irrigation

Greenhouse irrigation is nothing new – a little trip one of London’s greatest greenhouses.

The Crystal Palace's Guide to Greenhouse Irrigation

One of the first, and most spectacular, examples of modern greenhouse irrigation was the Crystal Palace which stood in London from 1851 until 1936. This 19-acre glass building was the brainchild of horticulturalist and garden designer, Joseph Paxton. Paxton submitted his design for England’s Great Exhibition held in 1851.


A New Style of Architecture

The Crystal Palace was so called because it was constructed almost entirely of glass panes held in place by metal girders. Many of the architectural methods of strengthening a glass building were invented during the design of the Crystal Palace. These construction details may be common today but to 19th century Londoners they were spectacular.


New Inventions in Greenhouse Irrigation

Just as spectacular were the fountains and cascades that were housed among the lush, exotic exhibits inside and out. When the building was moved in 1854, designers added two massive water towers to each side of the building to provide a gravity-fed water supply.

According to ‘The History of the Drip Irrigation System,’ the modern automated greenhouse irrigation system whereby water is dripped through pipes wasn’t used until 1866, and then met with only limited success. It’s hard to imagine that, with such an intricate fountain system, people were watering the lush gardens by hand, but this may well be the case. We may never know because the original Crystal Palace is gone, destroyed by a fire in 1936.

Whether you’re working with a massive greenhouse or one in your backyard, contact the greenhouse irrigation specialists at W. P. Law, Inc. to find the watering system that will work best for your needs.

The Happy Farmer’s Guide to Drip Irrigation Products

Happy farmers know drip irrigation products provide an efficient way to keep crops watered.

The Happy Farmer's Guide to Drip Irrigation Products

Drip irrigation products are a water saving addition to any irrigation system, taking care of plants while showing kindness to the overall environment. This method of watering works with water moving at low pressure through plastic pipes. Small emission devices in these pipes distribute the water in a slow even drip giving the perfect measure of water to plants when placed at a proper distance.

Drip irrigation works well in a wide variety of soil types. Because water is applied at a slow rate it has time to soak into the soil before running off. Since water runoff is almost completely eliminated, drip irrigation is ideal for irrigating crops grown on hillsides.

Since drip irrigation uses small orifices to control the flow of water, clogging can be a problem. But with the proper selection and use of a quality filtration system, clogging is rarely a problem.

Water quality can also be an issue with drip irrigation products, but economical water treatment solutions can solve most water quality issues.

Contact the drip irrigation specialists at W. P. Law, Inc. with your questions: www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact

How to Take Charge of Your Garden Drip System

Make Gardening Effortless and Fun with the Garden Drip System

How to Take Charge of Your Garden Drip System

It’s bound to hit you right about this time of the year – the burning desire to plant your own vegetable garden. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or this is your first garden ever, you’ll do well to add a garden drip system to make watering a snap.

Have you caught the gardening bug? Starting your own isn’t hard. Here’s what you need:

• A small space outside your home. You can choose to till the soil and add amendments or you can build raised beds. Raised beds work well and they assure you of good drainage. Regardless of which option you choose, select a site that receives sun most of the day.

• A garden bed or containers. If your space is limited, you may want to consider container gardening. It’s a good option because it allows you to move your plants from one location to another, the weeding is minimal, and you may be able to design your garden to minimize squatting.

• Plants or seeds. You may be surprised by how well either works in your garden. The most common mistake of new gardeners is over-planting because they don’t believe their seeds will produce. Be sure to thin seedlings as they emerge so you have enough room for your plants to grow.

• Water source. If you want a garden, then you need to have an efficient garden drip system. Remember that aside from the sun, plants also need enough water to grow and thrive. Make a point of getting hold of a reliable garden drip system.

Watering is can be expensive and time-consuming, or cost-effective and effortless. It all depends on your system. A garden drip system is one of the best choices available for the home gardener.

W. P. Law’s garden drip systems add to the joy of gardening. Contact us with your questions here.

The Victory Garden School of Automated Plant Watering Systems

What type of automatic plant watering system is right for your garden, business, or lawn?

The Victory Garden School of Automated Plant Watering Systems

Victory gardens are making a comeback. No wonder they’re popular; they yield whole, fresh, and local produce, they’re a morale boost to those who tend them, and they provide built-in exercise from planting to weeding.

Not only do gardens require the sweat of your brow, they also need regular watering, no matter what Mother Nature provides. That’s where automated plant watering systems come in handy. A system that is installed properly helps owners water the garden on a set schedule. Most systems are metered and help save on your water bills too.

Determining the water pressure and the amount of water (flow rate) that you have available in your location will be an important step. Each system has different requirements so it’s important to know this information before installing.

• Micro-spray systems work well with orchard crops such as apple and peaches where the root zones are spread over a large area. Micro-spray systems also work well in loose porous soils such as those found in planting containers and annual beds. Micro-spray systems operate at low pressure (typically 30 psi) and a typical micro sprinkler will have a flow rate of between 10-30 gallons per hour.

• Drip systems use emitters to apply water in drops to the plant’s root zone. Drip systems also operate at low pressure (typically 30 psi) and a drip typical drip emitter will have a flow rate of 0.5, 1, or 2 gallons per hour. Drip emitters can either be externally installed by punching them into the drip tubing, or they can come pre-installed in the tubing at a regular spaced interval (typically 12”, 18”, 24”, and 36”).

• In ground pop-up sprinkler systems are the best automatic plant watering system for the lawn. The sprinkler heads pop up when water is turned on and retract back when water is turned off. This allows you to mow without hitting the sprinklers. Pop-up sprinklers consist of two types, rotary sprinklers and fixed patter spray heads. Rotary lawn sprinklers typically have a radius of 15 to 40 feet. Spray heads usually have a radius of 8 to 18 feet.

Contact us with your questions on automated plant watering systems or anything else you need for your own victory garden.

Two Irrigation Tools that Can Make Trouble-Shooting Your System Easy

Irrigation tools are only as effective as their users are knowledgeable.

Two Irrigation Tools that Can Make Trouble-Shooting Your System Easy

Two irrigation tools that every professional contractor needs in their arsenal is a quality volt/ohm meter and a wire/ground fault locator. Electrical control problems are second only to piping problems when it comes to troubleshooting an irrigation system. Bad solenoids, and skinned wires have caused more frustration when trying to solve an irrigation system control problem.

Here is a brief description of what these tools do and how they can benefit the user and save time.

1. Volt/Ohm meter. It is amazing how many contractors do not own this simple low-cost piece of equipment. A volt/ohm meter can be used to check the voltage output of a controller and to check the resistance of a solenoid. It can also be used to check continuity. The best part is you can get a decent volt/ohm meter for $30.00 to $50.00.

2. The second piece of equipment contractors should have access to, is a wire/ground fault locator. This piece of equipment is a lot more expensive with a price tag of $700-$800. Ground fault locators can be used to find nicked or broken wires. The wire locator function can be used to find solenoid valves. This is particularly helpful when trouble shooting a system that you did not install.

Check out our fine selection of irrigation tools. If you have questions, just contact us and we’ll help you find what you need.

4 Drip Line Irrigation Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

When using drip line irrigation, your results depend on doing it right.

4 Drip Line Irrigation Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making

Let’s take a look at number of reasons why drip line irrigation can be ineffective because of user error.

• Too few emitters: The key point of drip irrigation is to ensure that the root zone of the plant is adequately watered. A common mistake is to use fewer emitters than what is necessary to efficiently water the plant. When you have large plants it is important to make sure that you have enough emitters.

You should also avoid a situation where a large plant (tree) is depending on a single emitter for its water supply. If for some reason the emitter becomes clogged or otherwise dysfunctional, the plant will die. It is a good practice to water all plants from at least two sources.

• Poor placement: Another common error is placing the emitters too close to or too far from the plant. The emitters should be evenly spaced and kept at least six inches from the base of the plant.

• Subpar filtration: Not using a filter or using the wrong drip system filter is another common mistake. A 155 mesh to 200 mesh filter should be used.

• Incorrect Pressure: In order for a drip irrigation system to work properly the right water pressure is essential. Most pressure compensating emitters can operate at a range of 20-50 PSI, but typically work best at 30 PSI. An excessive number of emitters, an extremely long run of drip tubing, or a combination of both can cause the pressure in the line to drop below what is needed to allow the emitters to function properly.

If you give attention to these areas of concern you should see much better results.

Have questions about drip line irrigation? Contact the experts at W. P. Law, Inc. and we will help you get the answers you need to have the best crop or landscape ever.

Two Water Pump Purchasing Tips for the Home Gardener

Every gardener wants to be able to water easily. Read on for two water pump features you’ll love.

Two Water Pump Purchasing Tips for the Home Gardener

Having your own garden is a great way to produce your own food. However, if you live in a drought-prone area, you know water is at a premium and you may have to get creative to keep your garden green and growing.

Part of getting creative means understanding which features to look for as you invest in a water pump station. Make sure you check out these two tips before purchasing a water pump for your irrigation system.

• Look at the pump’s performance curve and compare it to your system requirements. A pump’s performance curve will show you the relationship between flow-rate (GPM) and pressure (PSI). For most centrifugal pumps, the higher the pressure the lower the flow-rate, and the lower the pressure the higher the flow-rate. Many homeowners purchase pumps at the big box stores based on horsepower alone and do not consider the pumps performance. For example, stores will advertise a pump “delivers up to 75 GPM” or “delivers 60 PSI”. This can be somewhat misleading. While the pump in question will indeed deliver 75 GPM, it does so at a very low pressure (not 60 PSI), and yes this pump will deliver 60 PSI, but it will do so at a very low flow-rate (not at 75 GPM). The lesson to learn here is, look at the pump’s entire performance curve (or chart) to determine if it meets your system’s requirements.

• Consider using a self-priming centrifugal pump if you are pumping out of any body of surface water (pond, lake, or stream). Self-priming centrifugal pumps are commonly used for irrigating average-sized lawns and gardens. These ease of operation make them ideal for many DIYers. The pump casing on self-priming centrifugal pumps does need to be primed (the process of filling the pump casing with water before turning the pump on) before system start-up. However, self-primers can usually tolerate small suction leaks that would cause straight centrifugal pumps to lose prime.

That bumper crop you’re dreaming of is only a few months away. With a water pump system in place, you don’t have to worry about irregular rainfall. Just pump your own, and keep your garden growing!

For advice on which water pump system will work best for your needs, ask the experts at W. P. Law, Inc.

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