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PumpProducts.com would like to wish a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our customers! Christmas is a festive and joyful season, meant for spending time  and creating memories with family and loved ones. Is there anything better than waking up on December 25, gathering around the Christmas tree with family and opening presents No, there is not. Of course, beyond the familial and religious connotations, Christmas is a powerful commercial and cultural juggernaut. The holiday produces billions of dollars in gift and decoration purchases every year. Christmas attractions regularly draw in thousands of visitors. And of course, the popular culture industry regularly churns out Christmas-themed content, from movies to songs to branded characters. Indeed, during this time of year, it can almost be hard to escape the lights, colors and sounds of Christmas. (more…)

Christmastime is here! That means food, family, toboggans in the snow, big trees and, most importantly, giving the people you love the gifts they need. As people across the country and the world celebrate this magical holiday season, PumpProducts.com will be bringing holiday joy in the form of discounts to all of our customers, old and new. In honor of the Twelve Days of Christmas (or Twelvetide), we’re celebrating the “12 Pump Deals of Christmas!” Traditionally the Twelve Days do not start until Christmas Day December 25, but we couldn’t wait to give out some deals. How it works is simple: everyday for the next 12 days, we will introduce a new deal on a specific product or products. It might be a pump, a system package or accessory. Unless otherwise noted, the deal will include a SKU number and a coupon code. Once a deal is introduced, the discount will remain active until January 2, 2017. Upon checkout, enter the given coupon code for that day to receive $5 off of the qualifying product of your choice. One use per customer and one use per coupon code. Standard tax and shipping rates may apply. We will to continue to update this space with each new deal so check back in the “Latest News” section for the new deals. The deals will also be cross-posted to our social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus and LinkedIn. Our social media stream also features plenty of other deals, videos and fun content so be sure to like, follow or subscribe.

Pumps make so many things possible that no one ever thinks about, including getting your drinking water. People often take for granted how important pumps and pumping stations are to getting municipal water. A pertinent example comes right from our own backyard. As some of you might know, PumpProducts.com is nestled in Westwood, New Jersey, a bucolic location in the northern part of the state. Westwood’s governing county is Bergen County and as is the case with most of North Jersey, we rely on the Wanaque Reservoir to receive our water. Recently, due to a lack of rainfall and unseasonably warm weather stretching from summer into fall, New Jersey has been suffering from a drought. As a result, the Wanaque Reservoir has been far short of its usual capacity over the past few months. According to The Bergen Record: “The Wanaque Reservoir and its backup Monksville Reservoir, which provide drinking water to more than 3.5 million people in North Jersey, had been so depleted by the drought that they hovered at just 45 to 47 percent of combined capacity for much of the fall. By Monday, they were back up to a combined 52 percent of capacity – an improvement, but still well below the 70 percent of capacity that's  typical for this time of year.... Even with several days of rain recently, northern New Jersey remains at a rain deficit over the past 90 days. Morris County is worst off, with a deficit of nearly 5 inches over the past three months, or 38 percent below normal. Passaic County – where the Wanaque Reservoir is – has had a deficit of 4 inches, or 30 percent below normal. Bergen County has seen nearly 3 inches less rain than usual, about 22 percent below normal.” Obviously, drought can be devastating to both a human population and an area’s natural  ecosystem. Crops wither and decay, animals die of thirst and municipalities often enforce strict water rationing. Water plays such an integral role in the structure and conduct of life, one that is underappreciated. A drought’s impact is measured not only in inches of water but also in the adverse impact. Droughts cause a “domino effect” that touch many different industries. That’s why pumping stations are so important. The heavy duty industrial pumps are key to moving the water from the reservoir into the water supply system. Lift pumps or centrifugal pumps are often the type used in pumping stations. Balancing the level of stream flow with the needs and demands of many municipalities, businesses and people is quite a tricky process. Without pumps, we would never get the food or drinking water so critical to human survival. So let's all take a moment to think about our pumps and thank them!

Pumps are precisely-engineered instruments meant for specific applications. Here's a general primer on what types of pump are built for which applications. Out-of-Building Transport Sump Pumps Sump pumps prevent residential flooding by draining accumulated groundwater from basement sump pits and depositing that water outside of a building. When water moisture builds up in the earth beneath the basement concrete, pressure increases and pushes up. Wet and damp spots will result. If left unattended for long periods of time, the pressure could eventually even crack the concrete.    You May Need If: If you notice wet spots, if you notice moldy or damp areas in your basement, if you live in an area with heavy rainfall which will eventually seep into the ground.   Battery backup sump pumps are used as a second line of defense against basement flooding should your home power fail. The backup pump is inserted into the same pit as the primary sump pump. The battery activates during a power failure and most can operate for several hours. Battery backups are perfect if you already have a sump pump. If you are installing a whole new system and want a backup, consider buying a complete system with primary and backup pumps included. Water-powered backup sump pumps are useful if you do not wish to rely on a battery backup. Inserted into the same basin as the primary sump pump, the backup has a float switch that is located above the primary switch. If/when the primary pump fails, the water level will rise, triggering the higher float and activating the backup pump. You May Need If: You are worried about losing power to your primary sump pump. Sewage Pumps Sewage pumps are used to move wastewater from a building and into a sanitary sewer line or septic tank. Sewage pumps are specifically for applications in which the wastewater is located below the sewer line and needs to ejected upward. Most of these pumps can handle waste solids up to 2” in diameter.  You May Need If: The point of wastewater collection is below grade or downhill from a sewer line or septic tank. For instance, if you have a bathroom in a basement you might not need a sewage pump. Grinder Pumps Grinder pumps are specialized sewage pumps that are used to macerate waste solids more than 2” in diameter into a fine slurry. This allows the grinder to pump higher than a standard sewage ejector pump.  You May Need If: You already have a sewage system but excessive solids are present in the system or you need to pump higher than a regular sewage pump will allow. Effluent Pumps Effluent pumps are used to move graywater from a building to a sanitary sewer line. Graywater is water that has been gently “used,” usually in a washing application, such as sink water, shower water, water from dishwashers and laundry machine discharge. (Important note: this does not include used toilet water, which is considered sewage). Since graywater will often include particles of soap and detergent, effluent pumps are built to handle solids up to ¾” in diameter.  You May Need If: You need to pump graywater up to a sanitary sewer line, much like with a sewage pump application. Heating Circulator Pumps Circulators move hot water inside a closed circuit so that it is immediately available at the tap. Most systems only move cold water in a circuit, meaning that you have to wait for your water heater to send hot water to a tap. This results in annoyance, water waste and higher costs.  You May Need If: You are tired of waiting for hot water at the tap and want it immediately. Getting Water From a Well Jet Well Pumps Jet pumps use suction to draw water up from a well. The pump is mounted above the well attached to a pipe that extends down to the water table. The force of jet suction creates atmospheric pressure in the pipe which moves the water up - think of it like using a straw. Shallow well jet pumps can draw from water tables up to 25 ft. underground. Anything deeper and you should use a deep well jet pump. Convertible jet well pumps also sit above ground but come equipped with a submersible jet ejector assembly that can be used to increase the operating depth to about 90 ft. You May Need If: You rely on a well for your water needs and your well casing is less than 4” diameter (a submersible would not fit). Submersible Well Pumps Submersible well pumps are actually inserted into the well and eject the water upwards (as opposed to using suction). Submersible well pumps are generally more compact, more efficient and quieter than jet pumps. A submersible well needs no priming and being submerged helps cool the motor. You May Need If: You have a well and your well casing is greater than 4” in diameter. Lawn Sprinkling Lawn Sprinkler pumps are used to transport water from a water source to a sprinkler system. Can also be used for irrigation purposes. You May Need If: You have a built-in sprinkler system. Decorative Fountain pumps are used for powering waterscapes, pond aeration and decorative water displays. Fountain pumps work with different types of filters to create displays.  You May Need If: You are an aesthete and you want to liven up the water fountain outside of your home.  Pond pumps are used to circulate water in a pond, stream, waterfall or filtration system. You May Need If: You have a pond. Water Pressure Booster pumps are supplemental pumps that work with a pressure tank to increase water pressure within a system. Keep in mind that a booster might not affect the volume of the water you receive, just the pressure. You May Need If: You are dissatisfied with the amount of water pressure you are receiving at the tap, you are the building manager of a multistory building and the water pressure dissipates on higher level floors, etc. General Utility pumps are compact, portable dewatering pumps designed for either indoor and outdoor use. They are suitable for removing water in a wide range of applications, such as sucking water off of a wet floor, though they are not appropriate for use in sump basins. You May Need If: You have a general water moving application and no other category of pump quite fits.

The first full week of December brings snow and Christmas trees to mind for many. But in our industry, it’s also Groundwater Week, an important time to discuss and reflect on changes in groundwater in the U.S. What is Groundwater Simply put, groundwater is the water found beneath the top layer of the earth’s surface. Groundwater finds space in the cracks between rocks, soil and sand and settles in reservoirs called aquifers. Aquifers are the source for water wells and are thus the main source of all water for a significant portion of the U.S. population. Over 65,000 million gallons of groundwater were withdrawn every day in the U.S. according to a 2005 USGS survey. The NGWA Groundwater Expo The NGWA (National Groundwater Associaton) is a “a community of groundwater professionals working together to advance groundwater knowledge and the success of our members through education and outreach.” To that end, they have established the annual Groundwater Expo to bring together the best and brightest minds in the groundwater industry. This year, the Expo will take place at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada from December 6 to December 8. The expo will allow manufacturers to display pumping systems, motors and other groundwater equipment on the exhibition floor. Key exhibitors this year include Boshart, Franklin Electric, Grundfos and Goulds Water Technology, all partners of PumpProducts.com. Of course, a big part of the expo is that it goes beyond exhibiting new equipment and delves into the various scientific, environmental and legal aspects of the industry as well. Contractors and suppliers will be present, but so will scientists, engineers, regulators and policy makers. Seminars this year include “The Water Systems Cost Savings Act and Other Legal and Legislative Issues,” “Solar Water Pumping: This Growing Renewable Energy Opportunity Can Become Your New Viable Revenue Source,” and a series of talks on “Large Capacity Well Efficiency: Food Production, Energy and Supply Challenges.” Keynote Speaker: Peter G McCornick, Ph.D., PE, D.WRE will give this year’s keynote speech. McCornick is a well-respected authority on subjects involving water, food and environmental research and will talk about the effects of drought and groundwater completion. The NGWA posted a fascinating excerpt of an interview with McCornick in the November issue of Water Well Journal. A relevant portion: WWJ: In the United States, how critical is the drought in the West and Southwest Peter: The chances of a 35-year or longer “megadrought” striking the Southwest and Central Great Plains by 2100 are above 80 percent if the world stays on its current trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions, report scientists from NASA, Columbia University, and Cornell University in a recent study published in the new open-access journal Science Advances. Water—and groundwater in particular—is vital to mitigating the impacts of drought in the West and Southwest. Experience from the recent drought in California shows the use of groundwater to augment shortfalls from other sources helps protect agricultural revenues. However, prolonged drought and reliance on groundwater will lead to depletion, as well as competition with other users, salinity, subsistence, and in some cases, degradation of the ecosystems. The recent experience with drought in the West and Southwest is an important reminder of the significance of groundwater and the importance of improving our management of the resource. Read more here. How Can We Meet Your Groundwater/Well Water Needs PumpProducts.com stocks a wide variety of well water pumps and accompanying accessories from top manufacturers such as Goulds Water Technology, Pentair (through its subsidiaries Berkeley and Myers) and Grundfos. Both deep well (for water tables more than 25 ft. underground) and shallow well jet pumps are available for older systems. Highly efficient submersible well pumps from Franklin Electric and Goulds are also featured. One of our most popular models is the Goulds J7S Shallow Well Jet Pump. Check out the product highlight video below: The video includes all the relevant specifications, information and curves for this popular well pump. Be sure to consult your local well specialist to get a sense of your system requirements. Once you have that information, be sure to call our PumpProducts.com experts at 1-800-429-0800 to size out a specific pump model.

With the winter season upon us, many in cold-weather climates are girding themselves for what could be a long snowy and icy season by buying supplies. Winter coat Check. Snow tires on the car Check. For all the attention paid to combating the elements outside your door, people often forget to pay attention to inside conditions. But what is more dispiriting than getting out of your warm bed up too early on a cold gray morning, wearily stumbling into the bathroom, turning the knob on the faucet or shower, and being greeted with ice-cold water If you’re tired of spending winter mornings shivering in your bathroom, consider buying a circulator pump. How it works is straightforward: as the name suggests, a circulator moves hot water in a closed circuit so that the water is always available at the tap. In most systems, cold water is moved constantly in a circuit. When hot water is needed, the cold water is filtered through a water heater before being sent to a tap, resulting in the wait time that many find annoying.  Once the tap is turned off, however, the hot water moving through the piping will cool off. The tank’s capacity and recovery rate determine how quickly you can receive hot water again. The circulator works by keeping that hot water moving throughout the piping system, from the heater tank to the tap back to the heater tank again. The circulator eliminates the need for a recovery period as well as water waste. Modest savings on water costs can sometimes result from installing a circulator. Circulator pumps require a dedicated return line that loops back to the water heater. The circulator would be installed on the return line and before the water heater. If your system does not have a dedicated return line, one option would be to use a “point-of-use” water heater installed near the furthest water fixture from your tank.  Circulator Pump Brands The top circulator pump manufacturers are Bell & Gossett, Taco, Grundfos, and Armstrong. Each of these reputed manufacturers produces a variety of circulator series and models to fit the specs of your specific system. Bell & Gossett Bell & Gossett, a Xylem company, is known for producing reliable and long-lasting pumps. The B&G circulators come in bronze, cast iron or stainless steel construction for durability and long life. The ecocirc series features a highly efficient Electronically Commutated Permanent Magnet Motor (ECM/PM) technology for dry run capability. Bell & Gossett wet rotor circulators are lead-free, low watt usage pumps that feature a high starting torque for dependable start-ups. Taco Taco is another popular brand for circulators. The 00 family of circulators are constructed so that all of the pump's moving components are contained within a removable cartridge. The cartridge design allows for easy removal which greatly simplifies any needed maintenance or repair. Replacing the cartridge essentially means rebuilding the circulator. The Taco 007 series is perhaps the most popular hydronic circulator on the market today. 007 series pumps are compact, sturdy (stainless steel or cast iron) and designed for smooth, quiet operation. These pumps also have universal flanged connections and are generally able to serve a wide variety of applications. Taco also manufactures the 2400 series, which also features a compact and maintenance free construction, but is used for medium to high flow applications. Grundfos Grundfos manufactures one, two, and three speed circulator pumps suitable for a wide range of cooling and heating applications. The ALPHA and MAGNA series both feature permanent magnet motor technology which makes them particularly energy efficient; MAGNA pumps operate with a variable speed wet rotor. The Super Brute series features a 3 speed motor and is ideal for zoning, while the UP(S) series is expressly designed for commercial buildings such as apartments, schools, and hospitals. Armstrong We carry three series from Armstrong: the ARMflo E.2, the Astro 2, and the Compass series. The E.2 series pumps are dry motor circulators designed for use in a wide range of applications like hot water recirculation, domestic hot water generation and snow-melt installations. They can also be used in radiant heating systems. The Astro 2 Series is a three speed wet-rotor series. Available in both stainless steel and cast iron, this series is designed to meet an even wider range of hydronic applications. Astro 2 pumps are corrosion resistant, easily compatible with multiple systems, and features a pre-installed high flow check valve. Compass series pumps are variable speed wet-rotor circulators. Depending on the capacity range, you could use a Compass to replace a fixed speed circulator. Circulator Pump Repair Parts PumpProducts.com also features a wide variety of repair parts for circulator pumps from Bell & Gossett, Taco, Grundfos, and Armstrong. Gaskets, flanges, seals, and kits are all available to keep your circulator running in prime condition and help you avoid those cold mornings. Call our applications engineers at 1-800-429-0800 for help sizing a pump or part.