Micro Flow Groundwater Sampling Pump
Waterra Micro Flow Pump for Sampling
Micro Flow Groundwater Pumps are an evolution of the Waterra Pump (Inertial Pump) developed in Canada in the 1980’s. The Micro Flow system is a hand operated reliable and inexpensive pump comprised of a foot valve and a length of sampling tubing.
This system can be used in very narrow diameter piezometers, drive points or highly constricted sampling points. The flow rate for this system is quite small hence the name Micro Flow. Waterra Pumps are often dedicated to wells due to their low cost and to avoid cross-contamination or de-conning issues.
Drive Points
& Constrictions
Tubing:
1/4 inch x 3/8 inch
Max Flow:
1/2 gpm = 1.9 lpm
Max Lift:
75 feet = 23 m
- An SS-10 Waterra Foot Valve is threaded into the bottom end of a length of either LDPE or HDPE Waterra Tubing.
- The Foot Valve – Tubing combo is inserted into the well, Foot Valve first, until the valve is submerged beneath the water table to the desired pumping depth.
- The tubing is then oscillated (pulled up and then pushed down) over a short vertical range (about 1 foot (30 cm) of motion by hand.
- Water builds up in the oscillating tubing until it discharges at surface.
Illustration of the Hand Operated
Micro - Flow System
The Micro Flow System is popular for use in direct push technology micro well installations and for tightly constricted piezometers
The SS-10 (Stainless Steel Foot Valve: OD = 10 mm) can deliver a sample from as deep as 75 feet (23 m) and flow rates with this system are usually less than 1/2 gallon per minute (1.9 lpm). The SS-10 thread up into the tubing.
Waterra Micro – Flow Tubing is used for this System. The tubing is available in HDPE and LDPE options. LDPE is a little more flexible than HDPE. Both HDPE and LDPE are available in 100 and 500 foot rolls.
| Foot Valve - Stainless Steel | Micro Flow Tubing | Actuators |
|---|---|---|
| SS-10 | LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) — 1/4" ID X 3/8" OD 100 and 500 foot rolls HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) — 1/4” ID x 3/8” OD 100 and 500 foot rolls FEP (Teflon) — 1/4" ID X 3/8" OD call for availability | By hand |
Micro Flow System: < 1/4 gpm & max 33 feet – drive points - (< 1 lpm & 10 m)
Waterra Tubing Cutter
Waterra Valve Wrench
