Pump Rental: Gather the Necessary Information

Prior to approaching a rental center, gather as much information about your dewatering application as possible. This includes knowing the lowest level and highest level of the water being pumped; the flow rate or volume required; whether you need to pump out the area within a certain time frame; the distance you are going to pump the water; and where the water will be discharged.

Tom Minihan, vice president, Griffin Dewatering, suggests you be able to answer the following before renting a pump for your jobsite:

A. What is the need? Are you bypassing effluent or sewage, or a stream or river? Are the pumps being used for ground dewatering or open sumping? Are you jetting for installation of wellpoints or wells, or washing down equipment?

B. Where is the nearest authorized discharge point and is there a restriction on the discharge flow rate into that point?

C. If pumping sump water or ground water, what is the acceptable turbidity level for discharge and is a settling box required?

D. What discharge permits are required?

E. Is the pumping or discharge area near or in a wetland area?

F. Are there noise restrictions that may require a pump with a sound-attenuating enclosure?

G. What is the vertical discharge head from the pump to the final discharge point?

H. What is the suction lift from the pump setting to the lowest point that the water will be pumped down to?

I. What is the distance from the pump location to the discharge point?

J. What will the pump driver be — diesel, gasoline or electric? If electric, what voltage, phase and amperage are available? If diesel or gasoline powered, are there any emissions restrictions?

K. Are there any limitations on hours of operation (i.e., usage in a residential area)? Restrictions in hours of operation may require using a larger pump.