ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the types of pumps contractors’ use, selection of pumps for different situations, and methods for estimating pumping costs. Costs associated with pumping operations include the ownership and operating costs for the pumps and associated equipment and the cost of installing and removing the pumping system. Centrifugal pumps are well suited to large-capacity pumping requirements. Diaphragm pumps are capable of pumping water containing a large percentage of solid material and large volumes of air. Pumping and dewatering costs are not determined based on the pump productivity, but on the total cost for each specific pumping task. Pumps either are operated intermittently, such as for filling water trucks, or continuously, in the case of well-point systems. Ownership costs will be the same whether the pump is operated intermittently or continuously, but the operating costs will be different. Pumps must work against gravity when moving water from one elevation to another.
