When Whatley & Co from Pewsey in Wiltshire were called to a lift a borehole pump for a customer who was experiencing problems with their water supply, they checked their records and realised that they had fitted the original Grundfos submersible SP4 pump way back in 1983.

The 100m deep well and 1.5” rising main was required to pump continuously to serve a mixed farm, as well as 5 houses and a small airfield site with water. When the Whatley team arrived on site they were expecting to find, that after 34 years, the pump was failing. They were therefore surprised to find that the cause of the problem was a large hole in the galvanised rising main and did not lie with the pump which was still working and meeting all the required duties.

Despite being really impressed with the pumps longevity, the decision was taken to replace it with a new Grundfos SP pump, perhaps its next call-out will be in 2051 or even beyond?

• Oct 13 2017