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INERTIAL PUMPS
Inertial Pumping System
the worlds simplest pump
The Waterra Inertial Pump was developed in Canada in the 1980's when it was realized that the was a demand for an efficient, reliable and inexpensive pump suitable for purging and sampling groundwater monitoring wells. The Waterra Inertial pump embodies all three of these characteristics. It's simplicity has allowed it to be adapted to a wide variety of sizes, making it suitable for numerous applications. It will also perform well in harsh environments that would ruin other more expensive pumps. Today, it has become one of the most prolific devices for purging and sampling monitoring wells.
Manual and Automated
five different choices
The Waterra Inertial Pumping System can be operated either manually (Lever Pump) or automated (Hydrolift-2, PowerLift-3, PowerPack PP1, or Power Pump 2). Hand operation is easy and convenient. Shallow monitoring wells can often be purged and sampled in only minutes. Larger volumes are best removed with the use of any of the three automated actuators.
portable mechanical advantage
The Waterra Lever Pump was designed to provide operators with a convenient, portable mechanism which would provide some mechanical advantage when manually operating the Inertial Pump as well as facilitating the collection of samples with this system. ...more
This actuator is the best choice for the occasional light duty user of the Inertial Pumping System.
high performance automation
The Waterra Hydrolift-2 is a portable, electrically operated device that is used to automate the operation of the Inertial Pump. The Hydrolift is powered by a 3/4 horsepower electric motor (available in either 110 volt or 220 volt) and generates a 4 inch stroke at up to 200 cycles per minute. The Hydrolift II weighs only 35 pounds and requires an electrical power supply of at least 1000 watts. ...more
This actuator is the ideal choice for the frequent user of the Inertial Pumping System with moderate to extreme pumping requirements.
durable & lightweight
The New Waterra PowerLift-3 is a powerful portable actuator with the durability of the Waterra Power Pump-2's mechanism and the light weight of the Hydrolift-II's motor, gear and control. The Waterra PowerLift-3 can operate the inertial pumping system in almost any well system, speeding up purging and sampling, saving time and money. ...more
This actuator is the ideal choice for the frequent user of the Inertial Pumping System with moderate to extreme pumping requirements.
power & portability
The Waterra PowerPack PP1 provides the mechanical actuation for pumping with inertial pumps to depths of over 60m, in a fully portable, single operator power unit. At 13 kg, the PowerPack PP1 provides outstanding pumping performance. ...more
This actuator is an excellent choice for those with moderate pumping requirements.
power & portability
The Waterra PowerPump 2 is the most powerful pump actuator manufactured by Waterra. A Honda GX100, 3 horsepower, 4 stroke, gasoline motor powers this device. ...more
This actuator is an excellent choice for those with extreme pumping requirements.
Tubing
high purity
Waterra maintains a considerable stock of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Tubing and Teflon (FEP) tubing in a broad range of diameters and lengths. While our Teflon tubing is of the highest quality available, we are always working to keep our prices more than competitive. Our tubing is always virgin material and is carefully packaged to ensure that it is always clean when you receive it. ...more
Waterra Canada stocks Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) as well.
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) is a soft and flexible polymer with excellent physical properties,making it a good alternative for silicone tubing in peristaltic pumps. Waterra stocks tubing sizes L/S 15 and L/S 24 for use in the Spectra Field-Pro Peristaltic Pump.
Foot valves
the basics
Waterra Pumps are available in four (4) performance ranges: Standard Flow, High Flow, Low Flow and Micro Flow.
The performance of each flow range is defined by its tubing diameter -- the larger the tubing the greater the flow rate and depth capability.
Within each flow range are an assortment of different foot valves and tubing for different sampling requirements.
our most popular system
The Standard Flow System is the most popular inertial pump. This system is best suited for 2" monitoring wells and can provide lifts up to 150 feet. Flow rates can be as much as 1 gallon per minute.
deep well sampling
The High Flow System is designed to be used in 2 inch wells or larger where a high pumping rate is desired. This system is also an excellent well development tool in 2 inch piezometers.
piezometer sampling
The Low Flow System is designed to be used in small diameter piezometers (usually 1" ID to 0.75" ID). It can provide flow rates of up to 1/2 gallon per minute and can lift water from up to 100 feet.
The Micro Flow System is popular for use in direct push technology micro well installations. The SS-10 foot valve can deliver a sample from as deep as 75 feet and flow rates with this system are usually less than 1/2 gallon per minute.
well development
The Waterra Surge Block is an excellent well development tool. It simply press fits over the body of the Standard or High Flow foot valve (D-25 or D-32).
Tools & Accessories
the basics
A few simple tools exist that most users of the Inertial Pumping System would find most helpful.
The Waterra Valve Wrench gives you that extra bit of leverage to ensure that your valve is properly attached to the tubing. It will also give you a bit of an idea of how many other valves are available to you.
No one should be without a Tubing Cutter. Infinitely safer than a utility knife, the tubing cutter also gives you a perfectly straight cut each time.
Surge Blocks are available to assist and improve the well development capacity of the Standard Flow and High Flow Waterra Inertial Pumping System.
Waterra VOC Tubing will improve the quality of your VOC samples.
handy tool
The Waterra Valve Wrench is a handy tool which helps ensure that your foot valve is properly installed on the pump tubing. The Waterra Inertial Pump can develop considerable pressure and by attaching your valves with the valve wrench you can be sure that they are properly connected.
features
- ensures that valves are securely attached to the tubing
- eliminates lost valves down the well
- designed exclusively for use with Waterra Foot valve Systems
clean & easy
The Waterra Tubing Cutter is a safe and efficient way to cut tubing. The durable Teflon coated blade slices through HDPE tubing cleanly and easily.
features
- faster and safer than a utility knife
- easy to use
- rotating/rocking motion produces straight, clean cuts
well development
The Waterra Surge Block is an excellent well development tool. It simply press fits over the body of the Standard or High Flow foot valve (D-25 or D-32).
VOC sample collection
The method for collecting volatile samples with the Inertial Pump is very simple and all that is required is 8 feet of narrow diameter VOC Tubing.
After purging the well, approximately 7 feet of the VOC tubing is inserted inside the Standard Flow or High Flow pump's tube, leaving about one foot protruding out the end of the pump's tubing. Once the VOC tube has been inserted into the pump's tube, the pump can be operated again. After a few moments of pumping, water will flow from both tubes and will continue as long as the pump is actuated. When pumping is stopped, the pump's tubing will cease to produce water. However, the VOC tube will continue to flow, operating as a siphon, drawing water down to the level standing in the pump's tubing. This siphon action can easily be used to collect small samples for volatile analysis as the flow from the narrow tube is steady, laminar and easily directed into a glass vial.
There is no loss of volatile organic compounds as is commonly associated with suction pumps, as the siphon action is generated by gravity flow. In addition, the sample is drawn from below the surface of the water level in the pump's tubing, ensuring that it has not been aerated.
These VOC tubing accessories should be dedicated to the monitoring well where they are used or they should be disposed of in order to avoid decontamination.