Troubleshooting Effluent Irrigators

If your effluent irrigator is not performing as it should, or you’ve noticed a loss in performance, here’s some troubleshooting techniques…

Irrigator Wear & Tear

Check your irrigator for any wear and tear/maintenance issues. One of the most common issues that will reduce performance is splitting or blocked nozzles. If the nozzles are split or blocked this will stop the momentum of the machine. The good news is, they are cheap and easy to replace.

Leaks

Poor performance could be the result of a leak or partial blockage in the mainline and/or drag hose.

Mainline

If there is a leak in the mainline you will likely notice sloshy ground/pooling in the area while walking between your hydrants.

Identifying blockages would be a process of elimination. Monitor each hydrant to identify where the flow has dropped off. If a blockage is found, call an expert in to clean the drains.

Drag Hose

Roll out your drag hose and check for leaks. Replace where necessary.

Pump

It could be your pump! A blocked pump may be a sign your stirrer is not getting the job done and the pump is getting clogged with too many solids. An effective and efficient stirrer is a good investment to keep your system running smoothly. Here’s some other common things to watch for with different pumps:

Centrifugal Pumps

If you’re using a centrifugal pump, check for a worn impeller. This is a common repair and maintenance job – call in a pump expert to replace the impeller.

If you’re finding the impeller frequently needs replacing, this could be caused by your stone trap not working correctly, allowing stones and grit to get through and prematurely wearing the impeller. If this is the case, your stone trap may need cleaning out.

Shore Mounted Pumps

If you have a shore mounted pump, have a look at your suction line. It could be leaking air or be partially blocked. If it is blocked, a good way to overcome it is to tie a float to the end to lift the hose out of the sludge.

Floating Pumps

Floating pumps can become clogged in ponds/storage that is poorly stirred, especially if a crust has formed. In this case the pond may need more frequent stirring, or a more efficient stirrer. Where possible an electric stirrer is useful for automation.