Effect of collection tank level on energy consumption of lifting pumps in drinking water distribution systems

Submersible pumps and lifting pumps are among the indispensable elements of drinking water supply systems. The operational costs and the investment costs of this mechanical equipment are essential for the operating institutions. Most of the energy consumption costs, which have an important place in the expenditure budgets of the water and sewerage administrations, arise from the pumps in the system. Therefore, the efficiency of this system's elements has a significant role in terms of energy costs for the water and sewage administrations responsible for supplying drinking water to the public in our country. Today, dependence on energy and increasing energy consumption necessitate measures to reduce costs on energy. Lifting pumps pump water from a mid-level collection tank, where water is drawn from the wells by submersible pumps to an upper feed tank. This study aimed to investigate the effect of collection tank level on the energy consumption of lifting pumps in drinking water distribution systems. For this purpose, an experimental setup consisting of a borehole, a collection tank, a lifting pump, and a distribution tank was established in an independent laboratory in Kayseri. A SCADA system was integrated into the experimental system to monitor and evaluate energy consumption. The results showed that the pump efficiency increased with the tank level, thus reducing energy consumption.