Water Pump Maintenance: 5 Critical Checks

Borehole pump stops working. No water. Emergency call. Technician charges KES 200K to repair what preventive maintenance would have caught for KES 30K.

Five monthly checks prevent 80% of pump failures. Takes 30 minutes.

Check #1: Water Pressure

What to check: Pressure at discharge (near pump). Should be stable.

Normal range: 1.5-3.5 bar depending on system

Red flags: Pressure dropping over weeks = seals failing. Pressure spiking = blockage building.

Action: Install pressure gauge. Read monthly. Log data. Compare month-to-month.

Check #2: Pump Current Draw

What to check: Electrical current to pump motor (requires clamp meter).

Rising current = problem. Means motor working harder (friction increasing = bearing wear).

Action: Measure monthly. Should remain stable. If +10% increase over 2 months = call technician.

Check #3: Noise & Vibration

What to check: Listen and feel for unusual sounds or vibration.

Normal: Steady hum, minimal vibration

Red flags: Grinding, squealing, knocking = bearing/seal wear. Excessive vibration = imbalance or looseness.

Action: If new noise appears = call technician within week (before failure).

Check #4: Water Output

What to check: Flow rate (litres per minute) at discharge.

Declining output = problem. Pump cavitating (air entering = seal failure) or filter clogged.

Action: Measure monthly (bucket + timer). Compare to baseline. Any 20%+ drop = investigate.

Check #5: Seal Condition

What to check: Look for water leaking at motor/pump seals.

Small drip = seal wearing. Major leak = seal failed.

Action: Small drip = call technician within 2 weeks. Major leak = emergency (pump will overheat).

Monthly Maintenance Schedule

Annual Service (Professional)

Once yearly, hire technician for:

• Motor current test (identify wear early)
• Seal inspection and potential replacement
• Filter cleaning/replacement
• Pressure relief valve testing

Cost: KES 50-150K annual. Prevents KES 500K-2M pump replacement.