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 FLOW & PUMP EFFICIENCY TESTING
The service described in this document is available only to persons residing within the 15-county High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 service area.
 When the cost for fuel used by most irrigation engines increased by 400 percent during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the cost to pump water became a significant part of an irrigator's expense.
The High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 considered most of the pumps in use to be at least 20 years old and many probably had suffered serious wear from pumping small amounts of sand.
Water-level declines had probably made pumping lifts greater than they were when the wells were drilled. In some areas, the saturated thickness of the Ogallala Formation had declined to the extent that it could not support the same water yields as when the pump was first installed.
The combination of higher energy costs and inefficient pumps and motors were undoubtedly limiting any profit opportunity the irrigator may have.
The High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No.1
began the pump efficiency testing program to help irrigators
get the most out of their wells.
During the 1980-81 irrigation season, more than 400 wells were tested. Of those retested after repairs were made, efficiencies increased from 32 percent to 58 percent for electric-powered pumps and from 33 percent to 61 percent for natural gas powered pumps.
 Pumping costs per acre-foot of water were reduced by a similar percentage. As a result, most producers saved enough to pay for the cost of repairs within two years and therefore realized increased profits.
Municipal pumps that were tested reflected similar problems, and when repaired, the energy costs were significantly reduced.
As a result of this initial testing, pump plant energy use efficiency testing became one of our standard services offered free of charge to Water District residents upon request.
With the increased use of
center pivot irrigation systems and sub-surface drip
irrigation, flow rates have become a very important issue.
The High Plains Water District can test wells using an
ultrasonic flow meter to determine an accurate flow rate
through an irrigation system. This accurate metering can
assist irrigators with accurate flow measurement needed for
system design and troubleshooting.
The High Plains Water District
also has in-line flow meters that can be loaned out upon
request. In addition, leak detectors are also available for
municipal use.
For additional information
about the efficiency testing program or to schedule a flow
test appointment, please contact Manager Jim Conkwright at
806-762-0181 or via e-mail at
jimc@hpwd.com .
 
This
page last updated
12/07/2005
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