Summer Water Fun is Not on Lock Down

Gusher pumps help keep water parks safe this summer

A lot of summer activities have been cancelled this year due to Covid-19. So it was a great relief when the CDC issued guidance that meant it was safe for pools and water parks to re-open. Now more than ever, the proper operation of aquatic disinfection systems is paramount to visitor health and safety. Reliable, efficient pumps play a key role in these operations. Pumps from Gusher are helping to keep operations running smoothly at parks around the country.

Our distribution partner, Anderson Industrial Machine (AIM), has worked with parks up and down the eastern seaboard to install new and retrofit pump equipment. Their number one choice of pump for these applications is the Gusher 7550 Series enclosed column vertical end suction pump. The space-saving vertical design means that equipment takes up less valuable park real-estate, leaving more space for other attractions and visitor amenities.

The design of the enclosed column eliminates the need for a mechanical seal, which is the most common point of pump failure, ensuring that the pumps operate reliably with minimal downtime. Other design features, including throttle bushings and pump out vanes on the back side of the impeller, reduce or eliminate common points of pump leakage. Any incidental leakage, or accidental discharge due to system clogs or improper valve operation, is collected in the enclosed column and returned to the system overflow, keeping the equipment rooms clean and dry.

Gusher’s ability to customize to exact process parameters allows for special installation considerations, such as the choice to use stainless construction in these applications. The chlorinated water, plus the physical proximity to the salty sea air are both potentially corrosive elements that would shorten the life of a standard cast iron pump in these environments.

AIM’s in-house engineering and fabrication often takes the Gusher design one step further, adding a custom frame that allows pumps to be free-standing and self-supporting. This design simplifies installation and reduces pipe strain.

Another innovation that AIM suggests to parks is to install variable frequency drives on its pump systems. Ramping up power slowly eliminates the power surge costs on electrical (a benefit one park estimates will pay for itself within five years of operation).

We want everyone to stay safe this summer as we navigate these uncharted waters. We’re happy our pumps play a role in keeping water park disinfection systems running smoothly.