Domestic Water Pressure Booster

[BronYrAur]

What's my best route to boost domestic water pressure? I have a 4" city water line entering a building basement. We measured 35 psig on the backflow preventor discharge. The building has 3 stories above the basement. What pressure do I need and how do I best boost it?

 

[BigInch]

That's pretty low. I think the city or town authorities usually shoot for about 60 psi at the supply points for fire supression, but I may be wrong there.

Booster pump should do. Grundfos Pumps should have something for you. Check out this installation.

http://www.grundfos.com/Web/HomeUs.nsf/Webopslag/PAVA-526KQD

BigInch-born in the trenches.

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com

 

[PEDARRIN2]

The pressure requirement will depend on if you have flush valve toilets.

Flush valve toilets require between 25-35 psi static to operate correctly.

If you have flush valves on the top floor, you will need a booster pump.

 

[MJCronin]

BronYrAur,

Where are you located ?

I have never heard of domestic service less than 50 psig in the USA......

Most city/county water departments mus keep the pressure at this level specifically because there are multi-story buildings..!!!!!

-MJC

 

[KiwiMace]

You will need a diaphragm tank on the discharge. This should be available as a package from Grundfos and other similar.

I would first ask the city to deliver the minimum pressure. This may be a pipe leak problem - I came across a leak recently that was bleeding into a nearby sewer line. Completely undetectable from above.

 

[ThePumpGuru]

BronYrAur,

The magic bullet for you is the Grundfos MQ Series Booster Pump. It is an easy to install self contained booster pump that is specifically designed to boost low residential pressure. It does not require any kind of storage tank as it is an on-demand pump. It has a wet-rotor design which makes it one of the quietest pumps around.

The link below has tons of information about the pump as well as brochures and manuals.

http://www.earthmovement.net/grundfos/jet/mq.htm

Hope this info helps. Let me know.

Sincerely,
ThePumpGuru