INSIDE TASMANIA’S $2 BILLION WATER OVERHAUL
The State of the Industry
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PIA Executive Council 2025
Kylie Kinsella – President Regent Pumps
Joel Neideck – Vice President TDA Pumps
Tracey Guida – Treasurer/Secretary
Alan Rowan – Councillor
Executive O cer – Publications and Training, Life Member
Ken Kugler
Executive O cer – Standards, Life Member
Steve Bosnar – Councillor Franklin Electric/Pioneer Pump
Michael Woolley – Councillor Tsurumi Pumps
Luke Biermann – Councillor Mechanical Seal Engineering
Tim Yakup – Councillor Regent Pumps
Alex Calodoukas – Councillor Pump Strategy
Keith Bowen – Councillor Xtron Pumps Australia
President’s welcome
Dear PIA Members and Industry Colleagues,
Welcome to the summer edition of Pump Industry.
As we step into another Australian summer, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all members, partners, and stakeholders of the Pump Industry Australia community.
As temperatures rise, we are reminded once again of the importance of reliable and e� cient pumping systems in maintaining Australia’s critical services – whether it’s ensuring sustainable irrigation in regional communities, supporting clean water access, moving water to support our � re� ghting e�orts over summer or enabling cutting-edge industrial applications.
This edition focuses on our growing wastewater sector. With large infrastructure upgrade opportunities focusing on replacement of our ageing assets, our growing populations and, of course, drought and climate change pressures, there is a strategic shift from treatment to resource recovery as we embrace digitalisation and smarter operations.
Our industry is challenged with adapting to Australia’s highly diverse climate conditions from drought to � oods, meaning wastewater systems need to be resilient to all these extremes. We are fortunate to have an industry that can adapt and service our changing needs in Australia, delivering the technology and expertise that keeps Australia moving.
The strength of our industry was out in force at our annual APIA dinner at Crowne Plaza in Melbourne. Friends, colleagues, and our sponsors from across the pump industry gathered
for what’s always one of the highlights of our year.
I would like to thank all the committee members for 2024/2025 for your contribution to the council throughout the year. All committee members are volunteers and dedicate their time and expertise on behalf of all members. A special thank you to Keith Bowen (Xtron Pumps Australia) and Naomi Lincoln (Regent Pumps) for organising and executing this celebrated event. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our event sponsors: WEG Australia, Drive Systems, and ESPA. I think we can all agree it was a wonderful night to catch up with industry friends and celebrate what makes our industry thrive. I am also excited to announce your PIA o� cers and committee for 2025/2026. My position as President remains with Michael Woolley (Tsurumi Pumps) as Vice President. The council for this year includes Steve Bosnar (Franklin Electric/Pioneer Pump), Tim Yakup (Regent Pumps), Matt Arnett (Ebara Pumps), Luke Biermann (Mechanical Seal Engineering), Joel Neideck (TDA Pumps), Alex Calodoukas (Ampol), Ebi Torabian (Sterling Pumps), Alan Rowan (Life Member) and Ken Kluger (Life Member). We are energised to push through our 2025–2028 PIA strategy.
We hope you enjoy this summer edition of the magazine. Let’s embrace all the challenges and opportunities the season brings with optimism, creativity, and collaboration. I wish you all a safe, successful, and inspiring summer ahead.
Kind regards, Kylie Kinsella PIA, President
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Cover image: TasWater
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Contents
COVER STORY
6 Inside Tasmania’s water overhaul Tasmania’s water and sewerage infrastructure is undergoing generational change to bring it up to speed with modern standards.
WASTEWATER
10 Durability meets digital smarts WEG combines rugged motor engineering with intelligent monitoring to boost reliability and e�ciency in wastewater applications.
13 Powering Australia’s wastewater sector Burkert is driving smart automation to modernise Australia’s aging water infrastructure.
15 Smarter seals, stronger systems Split seal innovations are transforming pump maintenance, reducing installation time and driving greater e�ciency across water and wastewater plants.
PUMP PIONEERS
20 Powering the Brisbane Olympics
As Brisbane gears up to host the Olympic Games in 2032, pump specialist Circutec is at the heart of a major transport upgrade.
23 Pumping what others cannot FELUWA’s double hose-diaphragm pumps set new benchmarks for reliability, containment, and e�ciency in demanding chemical and mineral processing applications.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
26 A new lease on life
Modern pump technology is central to Manton Dam’s $189 million refurbishment, strengthening Darwin’s water supply system.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
31 Celebrating operational excellence
Pump Industry previews the 2026 Victorian Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition, taking place in Bendigo in March.
MOTOR TECHNOLOGY
34 Simplicity still wins
Pump Industry sat down with TECO Australia and New Zealand product manager – low voltage motors Atheer Yaseen Nashi to discuss the future of industrial motors.
38 Expertise, agility, and innovation Techtop Australia is driving the motor industry forward with specialist knowledge and the adaptability to put it into action.
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
44 The future of the pump industry
The State of the Industry 2026 survey reveals a resilient pump sector adapting to change and seeking new growth.
Regulars
PIA WELCOME
3 President’s welcome
PUMP CURVES
49 NPSH, that well-known misprint PUMP HANDBOOK
52 Commissioning begins
This magazine is published by Prime Creative Media in cooperation with the Pump Industry Australia Inc. (PIA). The views contained herein are not necessarily the views of either the publisher or the PIA. Neither the publisher nor the PIA takes responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. All communication should be directed to the publisher.
The publisher welcomes contributions to the magazine. All contributions must comply with the publisher’s editorial policy which follows. By providing content to the publisher, you authorise the publisher to reproduce that content either in its original form, or edited, or combined with other content in any of its publications and in any format at the publisher's discretion.
Pumps Industry acknowledges Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pays respect to their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.
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Inside Tasmania’s water overhaul
Tasmania’s water and sewerage infrastructure is undergoing generational change to bring it up to speed with modern standards.
By investing $2 billion across � ve years, TasWater is modernising the state’s antiquated water and sewerage infrastructure.
Dozens of new pump stations are being built to help rationalise sewage treatment plants across the state, while refurbishments will put a plug in the state’s signi� cant water leakage rates.
“We currently have 110 sewage treatment plants in Tasmania, which is re� ective of previous councils having plants in their own patch,” TasWater general manager – project delivery Tony Willmott told Pump Industry.
“This equates to having about 38 per cent of the water and sewage treatment plants for two per cent of the Australian population, so we’ve got some rationalisation work to do.
“Tasmania loses more drinking water than any other state in Australia, so work will also focus on rectifying signi� cant leakage rates.”
TasWater recently inked a partnership with GHD to support seven new frameworks that will drive the state’s refurbishments.
This includes frameworks across engineering and design, major and medium projects, renewals, plant refurbishments, SCADA and operational technology upgrades and metering.
GHD’s experience in Tasmania – spanning nearly 90 years of operations in the state – attracted TasWater’s attention.
“GHD, which was selected after an extensive tendering process, will help us plan and design the right projects at
the right time with the best value for our customers,” Willmott said.
“We’re building a stronger, smarter and sustainable water future for Tasmania, with GHD to support the entire program with integrated planning and design across major projects, renewals and technology upgrades.”
Willmott said that alongside the inherent need to overhaul ageing infrastructure, social expectations are also changing.
“We are seeing step changes in what our customers and regulators expect from water quality, security and our impact on the environment, which is really key to the works we are doing over the next decade,” he said.
“In parallel, improved sewage treatment has become a pressing
requirement, with the goal to rationalise seven treatments plants down to one in the Launceston area.”
Launceston overhaul
Sewage treatment plants no longer deemed � t for purpose will be replaced with sewage pump stations, directing � ows to an upgraded Ti Tree Bend treatment plant in Invermay.
TasWater recently celebrated a key construction milestone at Ti Tree Bend, with the plant’s 10-megalitre storage tank and pump station capped.
This marked the halfway mark of construction, with work on the plant to be completed in mid-2026.
“The completion of the Ti Tree Bend sewage treatment plant … will see a 70 per cent reduction of nutrients discharged to the Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary,” Willmott said.
“The increased storage at Ti Tree Bend also provides capacity to commence work on the Launceston Sewer Transformation, a long-term strategy which will see us rationalise seven ageing treatment facilities into a new modern facility at Ti Tree Bend.”
The new storage tank and pump station at Ti Tree Bend comprises 3500 cubic metres of concrete and 900 tonnes of reinforced steel, with Westbury carrying out the mechanical fabrication and pipeworks.
The developments at Ti Tree Bend go hand-in-hand with the Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan, which involves new sewage infrastructure being built to improve the health of the Kanamaluka/ Tamar estuary.
“A new pump station will collect both stormwater and sewage, with electrical infrastructure, pumps, and a three-kilometre pipeline being installed to connect the facility with the Ti Tree Bend treatment plant,” Willmott said.
TasWater, the City of Launceston and Federal and State Governments are investing a combined $129.2 million into the Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan.
While Tier 1 contractors will play an important role in TasWater’s Future Delivery Model, the utility is also calling on Tier 2 companies and Tier 3 and 4 ‘mum and dad’ businesses to undertake renewals across the state.
Alongside GHD, TasWater is also working with engineering consultancies, JMG, IPD, pitt&sherry and Ganden, to provide local expertise to the Future Delivery Model.
TasWater has inked a partnership with GHD to deliver $2 billion of works across the state.
“Local knowledge from these consultancies will be invaluable when we start to deal with local issues that require robust, tailored solutions,” Willmott said.
Having a range of constituents doesn’t convolute the project, Willmott attests, with continuity built in to transition from “fragmented” short-term contracts to long-term partnerships.
“Traditionally, we have found that once planning was completed, we would enter the design phase and companies implementing the designs would then re-prosecute these works, which is counter-intuitive,” Willmott said.
“We don’t want a design being created and then we get to the construction site, and the contractor says, ‘We can’t build this’. This creates additional costs and unnecessary downtime.
“Instead, we’re connecting the designer with contractors to ensure a design outcome that’s constructible and e� cient. This will see long-term partnerships established to improve planning and streamline delivery.
“And by embedding shared governance and joint planning into our frameworks, involving local consultants, TasWater and its partners can deliver projects that are better aligned with community needs and expectations.”
Pump advancements
TasWater’s � fth Price and Services Proposal (PSP5) includes investing approximately $200 million across four years on the renewal of network infrastructure such as pump stations.
“We found some industries were regularly shutting down because of over� owing, so we’ve upgraded a
Images: TasWater
A 3D render of the new Selfs Point treatment plant.
number of pump stations that were causing negative impacts on sensitive waterways,” Willmott said.
“This has seen us install new control technology, pumps, rising mains and storage.”
As part of an urban growth and renewal project, TasWater is also installing the state’s largest pump station (two megalitres and 23-metre diameter) to replace the Macquarie Point sewage treatment plant.
“To build this, the contractor has dug 12 metres into the ground and pulled out around 10,000 cubic metres of soil,” Willmott said.
“This will allow us to decommission and replace the Macquarie Point sewage treatment plant, with sewage to be pumped through a new 4.3-kilometre pipeline to the expanded Selfs Point treatment plant, which is under construction right now.
“This will support Hobart’s sewage needs and forms part of a $380 million project TasWater is delivering in conjunction with the State Government.”
The $380 million investment includes $66 million in upgrades to the Selfs Point site to prepare for the future removal of three additional sewage treatment plants located along the Derwent River.
Once complete, the upgraded Selfs Point plant will treat up to 25 megalitres of wastewater per day and reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous entering the Derwent River by 50 per cent.
With TasWater’s $2 billion commitment to modernising water and sewerage infrastructure spread right across the state, the utility has a mammoth task on its hands.
But through a considered strategy, TasWater is bringing the entire state along for the ride, generating up to 15,000 jobs during development while leveraging the local expertise that has underpinned the state’s water and sewage industries over the years.
Willmott called the Future Delivery Model “an important moment for Tasmania”.
“Our customers support it, our owners support it, and the market’s certainly keen and ready to deliver the program,” he said.
“We’ve long lived on the assets of our forebearers from the ‘50s and ‘60s, and now, 60–70 years on, it’s our turn to upgrade the infrastructure which will be with us for another 100 years.”
GHD’s experience in Tasmania – spanning nearly 90 years of operations in the state – a racted TasWater’s a ention.
TasWater’s $2 billion of works will focus on rationalising the state’s water and sewerage infrastructure.
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Durability meets digital smarts
WEG combines rugged motor engineering with intelligent monitoring to boost reliability and e ciency in wastewater applications.
WEG is known for pushing the envelope when it comes to technology research and adoption in the motor industry.
The company has become a pioneer of developing solutions that solve critical conundrums, working with OEMs and end users to crack the code, so to speak, of pressing pain points.
This has seen WEG establish a wideranging portfolio of electric motors and associated equipment, including low- to medium-voltage variable speed drives (VSDs), soft starters, generators, transformers and condition monitoring equipment.
“We supply these products and devices to many di� erent industries both locally and abroad, including water and wastewater,” WEG Australia national product manager – LV drives and soft starters Shaun Kerr told Pump Industry
WEG helps end users crack the code of pressing pain points.
“As a multinational company, we collaborate with pump and machinery OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and place our motors and motor control products within their solutions.
“They can then provide a turnkey solution to the market.”
WEG has been at the forefront of deploying condition monitoring into industry, empowering customers to have a more immediate and detailed understanding of their operation.
As Kerr explained, this has become an e� ective preventive maintenance tool.
“Sensors placed on equipment, which could be the motor itself, the couplings, the pump or the drive, collect data to then be stored and analysed through WEG’s Motion Fleet Management (MFM) platform,” he said.
“This can alert a user as to any operational issues that might be occurring, enabling them to proactively remedy those concerns rather than wait for something to break down.”
Kerr said WEG separates itself through its ability to not only provide the condition monitoring equipment but also supply the software smarts to analyse the data.
“The way we package it is fairly unique,” he said. “While other solutions require a specialist to interpret the results, our personnel and software package does that for you.”
Through WEG MFM, customers can monitor the performance of assets such as electric motors, VSDs, soft-starters, gearboxes, and compressors, among other equipment, in real time.
“You can set trigger points and MFM will spit out alerts or recommendations, whether an end user needs to address a lubrication issue or a bearing fault, for example,” Kerr said.
“The end user can choose to monitor this themselves, or WEG can o� er this as a service, where we monitor asset performance and provide regular reports.”
WEG’s condition monitoring solutions not only anticipate failures before they occur, limiting costly downtime
in the process, they also present productivity opportunities, enabling end users to make faster decisions and increase the availability of their pump � eet, reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO).
As Kerr attests, WEG motor solutions “really come into their own” when customers see the uptime, maintenance and TCO opportunities that are possible from a customised o� ering.
Wastewater protection
For wastewater pumping applications, where motors face harsh, humid and corrosive conditions, condition monitoring can help detect misalignment, imbalance, or bearing wear caused by solids ingress.
Variances in motor temperature can be detected, potentially caused by overloading, poor ventilation, or insulation degradation. Electrical anomalies can also be monitored before causing trips.
While anticipating operational challenges through condition monitoring is empowering, WEG also ensures its motor equipment has the durability to operate in hostile conditions.
“WEG motors are designed to be robust, with built-in corrosion protection through our extensive range of industrial coating options,” Kerr said. “Depending on what environment a customer faces, we can apply the right coating to match.”
The CFW900 is a high-tech VSD for driving and controlling three-phase induction and permanent magnet motors.
Courtesy of WEGs internal paint division, motors can be supplied with paint systems ranging from C1 (indoors) to C5, which is commonly used in chemical and wastewater applications.
This is backed by the precision engineering that goes into each WEG motor, with cast iron and aluminium housings built to resist vibration and corrosion.
High ingress protection (IP) ratings, including IP55 and IP66, protect against water spray, high humidity and dust ingress, while double-sealed bearings and enhanced shaft seals make for even more durable motor solutions.
E� ciency is king
WEG also understands the importance of providing a range of e�ciency options, with IE3, IE4, IE5 and IE6 technologies on o�er to OEMs and end users.
Di� erent applications call for di� erent e� ciency requirements, and selection can also come down to a customer’s speci� c goals regarding energy use and sustainability, with the higher e� ciencies delivering improved environmental outcomes.
As WEG embarks on 2026, the company will continue to re� ne its portfolio to deliver increased digital smarts and higher energy e� ciency.
“We have new motor and VSD technologies set for release next year to boost asset performance,” Kerr said. “This includes VSDs to speci� cally support IE5 and IE6 permanent magnet motors, which require a special algorithm in the drive.”
As these developments enter the fray, WEG will continue to convey the importance of preventive maintenance to its customers.
“Customers can achieve signi� cant wins by harnessing digitalisation to reduce reactive maintenance, reduce downtime and maximise plant uptime, so we’ll continue to support our customers in accessing these solutions,” Kerr said.
For more information, visit weg.net
Images: WEG
WEG motor customers can achieve significant wins by harnessing digitalisation to reduce reactive maintenance.
Driving Reliability and Efficiency in Wastewater
Powering Australia’s wastewater sector
Burkert is driving smart automation to modernise Australia’s aging water infrastructure.
As Australia’s water and wastewater sector faces the twin challenges of aging infrastructure and ever-tightening compliance requirements, the need for robust, future-ready solutions has never been more pressing.
Burkert, a global leader in � uid control systems, is at the forefront of empowering utilities and industries to overcome these hurdles, ensuring safe, e� cient, and compliant water management for decades to come.
Tackling aging infrastructure with smart automation
Australia’s wastewater systems, much like those around the world, are under increasing strain from population growth, climate variability, updated regulations for lead-free materials and natural wear and tear of legacy assets.
Modernising these networks requires more than just replacing pipes, it demands a shift towards intelligent automation and digitalisation. Burkert’s portfolio of process automation, monitoring, and water quality solutions enables utilities to transform outdated plants into smart, connected facilities. By integrating advanced valve technology, sensors, and networked communication, Burkert delivers “single source” solutions that simplify even the most complex treatment scenarios.
The company’s modular approach allows for seamless upgrades, supporting both centralised and decentralised automation architectures. Whether it’s a large-scale control cabinet for an entire plant or compact, on-site smart panels for distributed
Ensuring compliance and process safety
Regulatory compliance in wastewater treatment is non-negotiable, especially as standards for discharge quality and environmental protection continue to rise.
Burkert provides � t-for-purpose instruments that are designed and carry certi� cations, such as Watermark, to meet these standards, providing utilities with peace of mind and process safety.
The company’s sensors and valve technologies o� er real-time monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, enabling predictive maintenance and automatic documentation – key for audit trails and reporting.
Burkert’s analytical sensor “cubes”, equipped with MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology, provide reliable, low-maintenance measurement of critical parameters like pH, chlorine, turbidity, and iron. This modularity not only reduces maintenance intervals but also ensures that water quality monitoring remains precise and resource-e� cient, even as regulatory requirements evolve.
Aging infrastructure often means higher energy consumption and operational costs. Burkert’s automation solutions are engineered to cut energy use by up to a third when intelligently combined with controllers and measurement systems, without compromising productivity or water quality. The company’s components are easy to install and integrate, minimising
downtime and the risk of errors during upgrades or retro� ts.
Furthermore, Burkert’s range of communication protocols ensures compatibility with existing systems, future-proo� ng investments and supporting a smooth transition to Industry 4.0.
From � owmeters and pressure transmitters to advanced control heads and valve islands, every component is built for reliability and long service life – a critical advantage in Australia’s demanding, resourceconscious environment.
Partnering for the future
Burkert’s commitment goes beyond technology. The company’s collaborative approach means working closely with utilities and contractors to analyse requirements, design tailored solutions and provide ongoing support. Whether addressing the challenges of today’s aging assets or preparing for tomorrow’s compliance landscape, Burkert stands ready to help Australia’s water sector deliver safe, sustainable, and cost-e� ective wastewater management.
For more information, visit burkert.com.au
Burkert’s automation solutions are engineered to cut energy use by up to a third.
assets, Burkert customises solutions to � t the unique demands of each site.
Burkert is recognised as a global leader in fluid control systems.
Techtop Australia’s range of Exd motors offers IE3 high efficiency levels, energy saving, low operational cost, low maintenance, extended lifetime and assured safety!
Smarter seals, stronger systems
Split seal innovations are transforming pump maintenance, reducing installation time and driving greater e ciency across water and wastewater plants.
The drive towards e� ciency, sustainability, and reliability in water and wastewater industries has never been stronger.
Every drop counts, and so does every seal, gasket, and rotating component that keeps critical assets performing.
For decades, A.W. Chesterton has been at the forefront of developing high-performance sealing solutions that help utilities and treatment facilities reduce water consumption, energy use, and maintenance downtime.
But as industry embraces smarter infrastructure and data-driven maintenance strategies, traditional sealing approaches are being rede� ned by advanced sealing technologies and condition monitoring innovations.
Intelligent system design
While conventional mechanical seals and packing systems remain the backbone of pump and mixer maintenance, they come with inherent trade-o� s – from frequent maintenance intervals to � ush water dependency and leakage risks.
This is where Chesterton’s nextgeneration sealing systems come into play. Split seal designs, for example, not only simplify installation but also dramatically cut equipment downtime and associated costs.
In water and wastewater applications, where pumps operate continuously under challenging conditions, this can translate to thousands of dollars saved annually and signi� cant reductions in resource consumption.
Optimising seal performance
Reliability doesn’t happen by chance; it’s engineered. By integrating real-time equipment monitoring of parameters such as temperature, vibration, and seal chamber pressure, operators can detect early warning signs of failure and take corrective actions before costly breakdowns occur.
This proactive approach to maintenance aligns perfectly with the industry’s growing focus on predictive asset management and sustainable operations.
Technologies like Chesterton’s active throat bushings provide precise control of the seal environment, enabling operation with minimal or even zero � ush water – a critical advantage in regions facing tightening water restrictions.
Proven solutions,
real-world impact
Across treatment facilities worldwide, Chesterton’s advanced sealing and monitoring solutions are helping
engineers achieve measurable performance improvements.
From extending pump lifecycles to reducing maintenance interventions, Chesterton’s case studies highlight how these technologies empower utilities to do more with less.
The company’s eBook, Advanced Sealing and Condition Monitoring Strategies in Water and Wastewater Plants, provides a comprehensive look at how to modernise sealing practices for today’s operational and environmental challenges.
Inside, readers will � nd:
• A technical comparison of traditional vs. advanced sealing methods
• Insights into split seal and active throat bushing technologies
• Guidance on equipment monitoring and its impact on seal reliability
• Real-world success stories from the water and wastewater sector
• Application-speci� c recommendations to help operators make the right sealing choice.
Readers can discover how the latest innovations in sealing and monitoring can transform plant reliability, sustainability, and cost e� ciency. They can learn from global examples, apply proven engineering insights, and start building a water management strategy that’s as resilient as it is sustainable.
Download the free eBook at chestertoncustomseal.com.au/ebooks
Image:
A.W. Chesterton
A.W. Chesterton’s high-performance sealing solutions are helping utilities reduce water consumption.
Chesterton seal designs are engineered to meet tough emissions requirements.
Image: THINK b/stock.adobe.com
The next frontier of pump tech
Graco’s QUANTM electric diaphragm pump is redefining fluid transfer e ciency, delivering higher torque, lower energy use and proven reliability in the field.
Graco’s QUANTM range of electric diaphragm pumps are taking industries by storm.
As Stuart Jackway attests, Graco is ubiquitous.
“We’re involved in basically anything that man manufactures,”
Jackway, Graco Australia’s senior account manager, told Pump Industry.
“If you’ve ever sat in a BMW car, for example, you’ve sat on leather sprayed by Graco equipment. Our electrostatic equipment has sprayed the paint on Qantas aeroplanes, while we also pump peanut butter and Vegemite, just to name a few applications.”
The global � uid solutions company, which operates in over 100 countries and boasts net sales exceeding $2.1 billion, has carved out a reputation driven by its omnipresence, with its products serving as important solutions in both common and niche applications.
A legacy of innovation
Graco’s constant pursuit of innovation, bred from when brothers Russell and Leil Gray launched Gray Company in 1926 to market an air-powered, portable lubricator, has seen its pump technology enter uncharted territory.
The QUANTM range of electric diaphragm pumps is disrupting the market with a new compact, energy e� cient and durable solution that promises to slash total cost of ownership for end users.
power density while minimising the size and resistance to losses.
“The higher the torque, the lower the heat generation as well, which prevents the machine from overheating, making it suitable to a wider range of applications, particularly in harsh environments.”
With energy e� ciency of nearly 85 per cent, compared to 10–15 per cent for air-operated diaphragm pumps (AODDs) and approximately 60 per cent for other electric pumps, QUANTM delivers reduced power consumption, especially at low speeds; noise reduction of 23 per cent dBa; a broader continuous operating range thanks to high torque at low RPM; and improved reliability with only one moving part – the motor rotor.
QUANTM is rede� ning � uid transfer technology, stripping gearboxes and variable speed drives (VSDs) from the machine to deliver a next-generation electric-powered solution.
“Traditional AODDs are powered by compressed air, which is expensive to generate, whereas an electric pump only consumes about one-� fth of the energy than that of its pneumatic peer,” Jackway said.
QUANTM features a gearless FluxCore electric motor that delivers up to eight times more continuous torque at low speeds.
“QUANTM holds a 60-pole motor, which can generate an incredible amount of torque,” Jackway said. “The technology increases the torque and
And because the machine’s hightorque density design displaces the need for gears, belts and a VSD, it’s a fraction of the weight – a 1” aluminium QUANTM unit weighs 29kg compared with Graco’s previous 1” aluminium model, which weighs about 65kg.
The QUANTM machine boasts a simple, low-resistance circular coil and steel stator to drive e� ciencies and reduce maintenance complexity.
As Jackway explained, there’s additional bene� ts to a more compact design.
“Gearboxes and VSDs are expensive, with the latter costing up to $2000 as an additional expense,” he said.
“While competitor models require VSDs to speed up or slow down their motor, ours is built into a control box, which controls the machine either by using pressure or � ow rate. It has two options.”
QUANTM’s turndown ratio easily exceeds 50:1 without the need for additional cooling fans for the motor.
“Because of QUANTM’s torque capacity, the pump generates less heat, and its thermatic fan is only required on-demand in extreme high load conditions.”
QUANTM holds a 60-pole motor, which can generate a significant amount of torque.
QUANTM pumps feature leak detectors as standard, which are driven by optical sensors.
“Leak detectors normally have two probes and are conductive, just like electricity,” he said.
“QUANTM, on the other hand, has an optical sensor, so when � uid moves into the area, rather than relying on contact, it sees it and safely shuts the pump down, preventing material ingress into electrical components.”
An automatic stall feature eliminates the need for pressure sensors and additional controllers, limiting downtime caused by clogged lines or closed valves, while QUANTM’s plug-and-play design � ts any 240V or 380V/480V outlet, enabling seamless replacement of existing pumps without infrastructure rework.
“You can simply take this out of the box and plug it into a three-phase or single-phase outlet,” Jackway said. “You don’t need electricians to � t this up.”
New application areas
QUANTM opens the door to applications previously out of reach for AODD and electric-powered pumps.
For facilities adding automation and control, QUANTM o� ers remote input capabilities and superior controllability. In plants with limited access to compressed air or where clean, dry air is a challenge, QUANTM provides a reliable, air-free alternative.
The QUANTM electric diaphragm pump is disrupting the market with a new compact, energy e cient and durable solution.
Its lightweight, compact design makes it ideal for mobile applications, where it can be easily mounted on carts and transported to CIP/COP (clean-in-place/ clean-out-of-place) rooms or remote areas with electrical access.
This mobility also reduces contamination risks by eliminating
dirty exhaust air. QUANTM can even operate on 12/24VDC with an inverter, making it perfect for o�-grid or solarpowered environments.
Its small footprint allows installation in tight or hard-to-reach spaces, giving engineers more � exibility in facility design and retro� ts.
Proven in the � eld
QUANTM has been proven in the world’s “harshest extremities”, including in the Pilbara region of Western Australia where temperatures nudge 50°C.
“A distributor challenged me on QUANTM’s capability,” Jackway said. “But once he went away and tested the machine, he faced no issues and was suitably impressed by its performance.
“And this is just one example of a number of others, where customers are naturally challenging the QUANTM concept. Each time they have come back with praise for the machine’s performance.”
Rede� ning the way diaphragm pumps are designed, QUANTM challenges traditional pump engineering methodologies.
But with the advantages indisputable, and testimonials rapidly growing, QUANTM is revolutionising pump capability, where extreme torque capacity underpins higher energy e� ciency and a sturdier machine over the long run.
QUANTM strips gearboxes and VSDs from the machine to support a more compact, lighter operation.
TECO MAXeV4
Super Premium High Efficiency
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• Drop-in IEC 60072-1 Retrofit Design: Direct replacement for IE2/IE3 motors — no shaft, flange or baseplate changes needed.
• IP66 Protection: Sealed against dust, water jets and heat — reliable in outdoor and washdown areas.
• Class H Insulation: Rated at 180°C for high ambient and high service factor applications.
• Squirrel Cage Rotor: Standard design, no magnets — fully serviceable by any qualified motor repairer.
• Works with DOL or VSD: No VSD lock-in — compatible with existing control setups.
• Flush Through Grease Relief System: Simplifies bearing maintenance — extends motor life.
• 4×90° Rotatable Terminal Box: Flexible cable routing — faster installation, easier commissioning.
• Local Stock + Custom ModShop Builds: Faster delivery, tailored paint systems, thermal protection, and specific site adaptations.
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Circutec has been engaged to deliver cu ing-edge hydraulic pumps for a new fleet of trains supporting the Brisbane Olympics.
Powering the Brisbane Olympics
As Brisbane gears up to host the Olympic Games in 2032, pump specialist Circutec is at the heart of a major transport upgrade.
Brisbane’s Olympic journey is backed by a massive $7.1 billion investment to develop and upgrade venues across Queensland.
A key part of the plan is the transformation of the Victoria Park precinct, which will include a new Olympic stadium, aquatic centre, and train station.
In parallel, a $12.4 billion transport infrastructure spend is set to transform how people move across the state. This includes the construction of 65 new
Circutec is positioning itself as a key player in Australia’s expanding defence manufacturing sector.
electric trains under the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, the rollout of faster rail between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and stage one of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail project, linking Beerwah and Caloundra.
To support this, German engineering company Circutec – recently rebranded from Speck – has been engaged to deliver cutting-edge hydraulic pumps for the new � eet of trains.
Drawing on over 40 years of global experience in rail pump technology,
Circutec is designing and manufacturing custom canned motor pumps that play a vital role in thermal management systems, such as liquid-cooled traction system converters and wind power transformers.
“There was a need for a new type of hydraulic pump,” Circutec Australia director Gary Heiden told Pump Industry. “As a bespoke manufacturer, Circutec was brought in to develop a tailored solution.”
These robust pumps are capable of transporting water-glycol mixtures or oil across extreme temperature ranges – from -50°C to over +85°C – ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments.
Circutec will continue supplying pumps for the Olympic train project annually through to around 2029, delivering a total of 50 to 60 units.
Beyond Brisbane
Circutec’s rail expertise is also being applied internationally, supporting Germany’s move towards hydrogenpowered rail. The company is supplying around 500 bespoke pumps for a pilot project involving long-distance hydrogen freight trains.
“Hydrogen can be volatile,” Heiden said. “The pumps need to be � ameproof and explosion-proof, with speci� c ATEX parameters. These are highly precise speci� cations.”
This project showcases Circutec’s ability to develop innovative solutions for both traditional and emergingindustries.
As the company eyes 2026, Circutec is positioning itself as a key player in Australia’s expanding defence manufacturing sector.
In August, the Federal Government awarded a $10 billion contract to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build a � eet of Mogami-class frigates – three in Japan, and eight in Western Australia. Additionally, shipbuilder Austal secured a strategic agreement to construct 18 Landing Craft Medium and eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels at its Perth facility, with � nal deliveries expected by 2032.
Circutec is poised to supply its proven side channel pumps for new vessels, a technology already in use on frigates and destroyers worldwide.
“We expect defence to be a major growth area for us from 2026 onward,”
Heiden said. “Our pumps are trusted for essential water services on naval ships, and we’re ready to scale.”
Diversi� cation across industries
While rail and defence are strategic pillars, Circutec’s pump solutions span
a wide range of industries including industrial heating and cooling, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemical processing, energy and renewables, and science and research.
“Our pumps are used in everything from pharmaceutical pill production to sterilising surgical tools in hospitals,” Heiden said. “We also support commercial ovens and hightemperature oil transfers.”
Circutec’s hydraulic pumps can transport water-glycol mixtures or oil across extreme temperature ranges.
What sets Circutec apart is its commitment to bespoke engineering.
“OEMs often come to us with a speci� c need instead of an o�-the-shelf solution,” Heiden said. “We design, build and deliver it. That’s what we do best.”
From Olympic trains to hydrogen freight, naval vessels to surgical theatres, Circutec continues to drive innovation through purpose-built pumping solutions – powering industries now and into the future.
Compact. Modular. Powerful.
SEW-EURODRIVE‘s Quality Gearmotor Range
Local service and assembly backed by a global network of expertise.
Inherent to their modular design, our range of gearmotors can be individually assembled according to the required speed and torque ranges, spatial constraints, and ambient conditions. They offer a unique and finely graduated power range and the best economic prerequisites to face any drive challenge across many applications industries.
Gearmotors from SEW-EURODRIVE are broken down into the following categories:
• Standard gearmotors
• Servo gearmotors
sew-eurodrive.com.au
• Variable-speed gearmotors
• Stainless steel gearmotors
• Explosion-proof gearmotors
Pumping what others cannot
FELUWA’s double hose-diaphragm pumps set new benchmarks for reliability, containment, and e ciency in demanding chemical and mineral processing applications.
Safety, reliability, and e� ciency are paramount in the chemical and process industries. Pumps must handle abrasive, aggressive, and even toxic media under extreme conditions – often at high pressures and temperatures.
Meeting these challenges requires not just rugged equipment, but innovative engineering.
FELUWA Pumpen GmbH, a German specialist in positive displacement pumps, has rede�ned what’s possible with its MULTISAFE double hosediaphragm technology – a design that delivers unrivalled containment, longevity, and performance in demanding chemical applications worldwide.
A new generation of diaphragm technology
At the heart of every FELUWA MULTISAFE pump lies a double hose-diaphragm – two concentric, independently operating diaphragms made from high-performance elastomers such as NBR, HNBR, EPDM, FEP, or PTFE (Te� on).
This con� guration creates two hermetically-sealed barriers between
MULTISAFE
TG 100 – 3 DS 2 handles highly corrosive media e ciently.
the process medium and the hydraulic system, ensuring that the conveyed product never contacts any metallic or hydraulic components. The result: zero leakage, maximum operator safety, and outstanding resistance to wear, corrosion, and chemical attack.
Because only the check valves are subject to wear, operators bene� t from exceptionally long service life, excellent mean time between repair (MTBR) and failure (MTBF), and low total cost of ownership.
FELUWA’s commitment to reliability extends beyond mechanics. The hose-diaphragm guard (HDG) system continuously monitors the condition of both diaphragms via a simple pressure switch or sensor.
If a rupture occurs, an alarm is triggered immediately, yet the pump can continue running safely on the remaining hose-diaphragm until planned maintenance.
This fail-safe concept guarantees uninterrupted operation even in the most critical applications.
FELUWA’s modular design system allows each pump to be precisely tailored to process requirements. Various gearbox sizes, drive types, and pump head numbers can be con� gured to achieve � ow rates up to 1000m³/h and pressures up to 350 bar.
This � exibility makes MULTISAFE pumps the ideal choice for complex and variable applications – from autoclave feeding to concentrate transport and spray dryer operation.
Notable applications include:
Autoclave feeding: In high-pressure digestion processes, FELUWA pumps handle abrasive and aggressive slurries with ease, providing leak-free operation and maximum wear resistance.
Spray dryer feeding: Low-pulsation, abrasion-free conveying ensures high product purity and consistent quality. Frequency converter-controlled drives allow precise � ow control and gentle handling of sensitive suspensions.
FELUWA’s modular design system allows each pump to be precisely tailored to process requirements.
Concentrate transport: When pumping solids-laden media over long distances, the double hose-diaphragm design enables energy-e�cient, water-saving operation and long service intervals.
Filter press feeding: FELUWA’s robust, pressure-retaining design enables the pre-compaction of � lter cakes and maintains high � nal pressures without compromising � ow – even in heavy-duty environments.
The following installations highlight FELUWA’s adaptability:
• Case 1: Two MULTISAFE TG 100 – 3 DS 2 pumps operating at 112 bar and 90°C, with wetted parts made from ceramic, Hastelloy B3, and FEP, handle highly corrosive media e� ciently while minimising material costs.
• Case 2: A TG 70 – 3 DS 2 pump delivers polyaluminium chloride slurry to a spray dryer at 60 bar and 120°C. Here, titanium-wetted components provide the necessary resistance to extreme temperature and chemical conditions, demonstrating FELUWA’s ability to engineer processspeci�c solutions.
Reliable by nature
From handling toxic slurries to feeding hygienic processes, FELUWA’s MULTISAFE pumps have earned a global reputation for pumping what others cannot. Their combination of double containment, long service life, and modular � exibility delivers tangible bene� ts across the chemical, petrochemical, and mineral processing industries.
For operators seeking a proven, lowmaintenance solution for demanding conveying tasks, FELUWA’s MULTISAFE technology represents not just a pump, but a new standard in process safety and reliability.
For more information, visit feluwa.com
INCREASED EFFICIENCY SMART CONVEYING TECHNOLOGY
Smart Conveying Technology (SCT) provides quick maintenance, significantly reduced life cycle costs and the shortest downtime. Smart Seal Housing removes the need to dismantle the suction or discharge pipework for inspection and replacement of the mechanical seal.
YOUR BENEFITS
y Rapid removal and reassembly of the mechanical seal, rotor and stator
y Reduced maintenance time by up to 85%
y Quick access to the drive and stator side joints
y High productivity due to reduced downtime
Smart Rotor Smart Stator
Smart Rotor Technology
Smart Seal Housing
Strength in split case design
United Pumps’ double-suction split case range combines e ciency, strength and Australian engineering for the toughest water transfer conditions.
The double-suction split case pump is the workhorse for many water transfer applications.
The machine’s compact, betweenbearings design, inline con� guration and low NPSH (net positive suction head) requirements make it an e� cient and reliable unit across water supply, industrial, mining and irrigation applications.
Boasting a robust hydraulic design, when using double-suction or multistage pumps, opposing impellers enable balanced axial thrust and reduced power consumption, while low bearing loads maintain bearing temperature while increasing the service life of the unit.
The innovator behind the product United Pumps, which has been manufacturing split case pumps in Australia for more than 40 years, intimately understands the upside to these machines.
Designed, cast, manufactured in Australia, United Pumps designs and engineers a wide range of doublesuction split case pumps. This is
backed by the company’s expansive testing facilities, where all pumps are put through rigorous research and development (R&D) and production testing, analysing NPSHr, power, � ow, head and vibration.
The traditional horizontal split case pump is the foundation for the range, but the bene� ts of doublesuction design is available in other con� gurations, also manufactured in Australia.
The double-suction vertical pump (DSVP) is a good option for low space applications.
With its back pull out, verticallymounted design and line nozzles, the DSVP is a high-� ow option to a vertically-mounted horizontal split case pump. Simper servicing and mounting reduce installation and maintenance costs.
Able alternatives
While not a double-suction pump, the two-stage Duo� o horizontal split case pump hosts two impellers operating in opposing directions to reduce axial thrust, with each impeller of these high head units adding to the discharge head.
When taken to the extreme, the horizontal multi-stage split case barrel pump o� ers low NPSH advantages of a double-suction pump, with the high head of a multi-stage pump. A horizontal split case cartridge is mounted in a radial split case barrel for pressure containment.
For high volume, high head applications in low NPSHa conditions, a radially split two-stage pump is ideal.
United DSTHF pumps have a doublesuction � rst stage impeller and a single-suction second stage impeller to boost head. Between-bearings design provides rigid rotating assembly support and radial case seals support a simple high pressure case assembly.
Tailored to suit
United Pumps’ catalogue of doublesuction and split case pumps is
Machining of a horizontal split case pump.
extensive and can be customised to suit existing pipe works and installation con� gurations.
The double-suction horizontal split case range is also available in a vertically-mounted con� guration for low space applications. The range covers � ow rates from 100m³/hr to 2300m³/hr and head to 160m, and for higher � ow and head combinations, the DSTHF radial split case pump can produce � ows to 3000m³/hr and head to 500m.
Then there’s the multi-stage DDHF, which can deliver head to 2100m, giving United a wide range of split case pumps to provide complete coverage for most service conditions.
United Pumps’ commitment to local design, manufacture and testing ensures every split case pump performs in Australia’s toughest water transfer conditions. This end-to-end expertise has made United Pumps a trusted partner across Australia’s water and industrial sectors.
For more information, visit unitedpumps.com.au
The double-suction vertical pump is a good option for low space applications.
A new lease on life
Modern pump technology is central to Manton Dam’s $189 million refurbishment, strengthening Darwin’s water supply system for the community.
Manton Dam was completed in the year of one of Darwin’s darkest days, when Australia was under siege from Japanese bombers during World War II.
Now, the reliable asset that kept water � owing to the Top End in those fraught times, is coming back online, more than 80 years on.
Manton Dam, which has taken a back seat in recent decades as Darwin River Dam has served as the primary water source for the Darwin region, is returning to service.
The $189 million project is funded by the Federal Government through the National Water Grid Fund, in
partnership with the Northern Territory Government. Works include delivering a new water treatment plant and bringing Manton Dam back online as a drinking water source for the Darwin region in partnership with government-owned utility, Power and Water Corporation.
Power and Water senior project manager Liam Early tells us more.
“Darwin River Dam was commissioned in the early ‘70s, so it’s a 50-year-old dam, and a succession plan is being put in place for a new facility,” he told Pump Industry.
“We are getting fairly close to maximum capacity from our pump station and main water source at this
dam, and it’s time to boost Darwin’s supply from another water source.”
As of late October 2025, the Manton Dam return to service project was well over halfway complete, with a new pump station almost � nished along with the refurbishment of an intake tower.
A pipeline from Manton to the new Strauss water treatment plant is also nearing completion, with almost 50 per cent of the Strauss facility constructed.
Once back in service, Manton Dam will provide a further 7300 megalitres (ML) of water per year to the Darwin region, enhancing water security for existing residents and supporting economic growth for the Northern Territory,
The $189 million Manton Dam return to service project is jointly funded by the Federal and Northern Territory Governments.
including the proposed Middle Arm Precinct located in Darwin Harbour.
Middle Arm Precinct is positioned as a globally competitive industrial centre that can support industries such as low-emission lique� ed natural gas, renewable energy, carbon capture utilisation and storage, hydrogen, and critical minerals processing.
The project, which will leverage common-user infrastructure, is still in its planning and design stage, with a Strategic Environmental Assessment underway.
“Middle Arm will eventually be home to industries that will require a new water supply and Manton Dam will
Dam, which Early said would “provide an e� cient and reliable water supply”.
“The last technology was installed in the ‘60s, so the pumps were well and truly past the end of their life,” Early said.
“The old pump room had four pumps. We now have two Sulzer SMD 250-365 B pumps with 200kW motors (one duty, one standby), with each one able to deliver up to 20ML/day to the Strauss water treatment plant, providing a consistent base supply to Darwin.”
Modern tech
The pumps are also being � tted with state-of-the-art technology, with automation enabling operators at the Strauss water treatment plant located 22km away to control water � ow remotely.
There are several other advancements occurring too.
“The new Strauss water treatment plant is part of a much larger site that plans to also provide treatment to Darwin’s next planned water source, the Adelaide River o�-stream water storage,” Early said.
play an important role in supporting any increased demand in the system beyond normal urban growth,” Early said.
Once back online, Manton Dam will provide a 20 per cent increase in water for the Darwin region.
“When we commission Manton Dam next year, that water will go straight into the Darwin system,” Early said. “This takes the pressure o� Darwin River Dam, and provides an important additional supply to the region for our residents and future industry growth.
Power and Water is working with contractor Exact Contracting to construct a new pump station at Manton
“This � rst stage of the Strauss water treatment plant is designed with 20ML per day of treatment capacity. A range of pumps will pump water from the treatment cells through the process plant and into two 2.5ML on-site treated water tanks.”
Valves connected to the intake tower at Manton Dam have been modernised so operators can easily open and close intakes. Exact Contracting has also constructed 22km of new pipeline to support the return to service project.
Early has seen industrial technology evolve rapidly in recent years. In the context of water supply, this is helping operators make quicker decisions to ensure water reaches the right places quicker, saving costs in the process.
Images: Power and Water Corporation
Inside the new pump station at Manton Dam.
“One thing you have to consider is that when you’ve got multiple water sources, you want to extract the best from them,” Early said. “Water doesn’t all pump from the same place, and you need to consider energy costs, water quality and water security objectives.
“So you will want to make decisions dynamically, and through advanced monitoring systems installed across the Manton Dam project, this information is gathered in our supervisory control and data acquisition systems in real time.
“This not only enables us to control water � ow from afar but also generates actionable insights that can further bene� t our operations.”
Early said the immediate priorities at Manton Dam are to complete the construction of the pump station and pipeline, with commissioning of these facilities to commence by mid-2026.
“We’ll also continue to advance the Strauss water treatment plant, which has been the most complex aspect of the project,” Early said.
“While working with the contractor at Strauss, we’re also optimising the functional design of the facility, so once it’s commissioned, we’ve got a clear operating philosophy in place.”
Power and Water will also be working to integrate Manton Dam’s operation with the Darwin River Dam, which will remain a key asset into the future.
Other undertakings
As Power and Water looks to prolong the life of the Darwin River Dam, the utility is also upgrading its 50-year-old pump station, where construction commenced in late 2024.
“The new pump station there will have more capacity than the current facility, and feature modernised pumps and control systems,” Early said. “That is also planned to come online next year.”
Early said, through smaller upgrades over the years, the existing Darwin River Dam pump station is performing its role, delivering about 80ML per day into the system during the wet season, and up to 160ML during the dry season.
With Manton Dam’s return to service and modern pumping systems in place, Power and Water is thinking long-term when it comes to maintaining Darwin’s water supply system.
Combining Manton Dam and Darwin River Dam not only secures supply for a growing population but positions Power and Water to support future economic development across the Darwin region.
The new pump station at Darwin River Dam.
Manton Dam is a historic landmark in the Northern Territory.
The Manton Dam return to service project is well over halfway complete.
Celebrating operational excellence
Pump Industry previews the 2026 Victorian Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition, taking place in Bendigo in March.
The Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) will once again return to Bendigo for the 2026 Victorian Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition – its premier and largest event for operational professionals, innovators, and leaders shaping the future of the water industry.
Taking place on March 25–26 at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre, this annual gathering is more than a conference, it’s a celebration of the people behind the water pipes, pumps and processes in our communities.
The event will once again bring together hundreds of water professionals from across Victoria and beyond for two days of learning, networking, and solution-driven knowledge sharing. Delegates can expect a strong technical program featuring practical case studies, real-world challenges, and the latest advances in water and wastewater operations, in an e�ort to “bridge the knowledge gap in water operations”.
Honouring excellence
The event will recognise and reward excellence in operations through WIOA’s nationally respected awards program, which highlights the dedication,
advancement and hard work of the operators who ensure water quality, reliability, and e� ciency across the country.
The Operator of the Year Award celebrates an individual who consistently demonstrates exceptional technical skill, leadership, and commitment to their role. This prestigious award acknowledges those who not only perform at the highest level but also mentor and inspire their peers to do the same.
The Team of the Year Award recognises collaboration at its best, highlighting groups that have achieved outstanding results through innovation, communication, and teamwork. Whether it is tackling complex operational challenges or implementing creative e� ciency improvements, these teams embody the power of collective expertise.
The PASS (Problem Accepted, Solution Supplied) Award encourages creative thinking by honouring individuals or teams who have identi� ed an operational issue and developed a clever, practical solution to improve performance, safety, or sustainability.
The New Operator of the Year Award shines a light on the next generation
of water professionals – those who are bringing fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and dedication to the sector. It’s an opportunity to celebrate emerging talent and support the future of the industry.
Recognising excellence in knowledge sharing, the Best Paper by an Operator Award honours an operator who delivers the most outstanding technical presentation at the conference. This highlights the importance of communicating challenges and real-world insights to strengthen the water industry.
By championing these awards, WIOA continues to advocate for the water operations sector – ensuring that those on the frontline of water and wastewater management receive the recognition they deserve.
Mark your calendar and join WIOA in Bendigo this March. Whether you’re presenting, networking, exhibiting, or cheering on your peers, the 2026 Victorian Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition is your chance to connect, celebrate, and shape the next wave of operational excellence in Australia’s water industry.
For more information, visit wioa.org.au
WIOA Victoria celebrates the people behind the water pipes, pumps and processes in our communities.
Victorian excellence will be recognised as part of WIOA’s awards program.
Images:
WIOA
SEW-EURODRIVE’s product portfolio includes inline, parallel-sha , and right-angle geared motors.
Gearing up to drive modern pumps
SEW-EURODRIVE is helping pump operators boost performance and cut costs through advanced geared motor technology.
With rising cost pressures, the pump industry is turning to high-e� ciency geared motor solutions to deliver superior performance and minimise downtime.
SEW-EURODRIVE has established itself as a trusted partner for pump original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users, o� ering a comprehensive range of geared motors that deliver improved performance, reliability, and energy e� ciency.
The company’s product portfolio includes inline (R/RX series), parallelshaft (F series), and right-angle (K, W and S series) geared motors – each engineered to meet speci� c spatial and mechanical requirements across di� erent pump con� gurations.
“Inline gear units are ideal for highspeed pumping applications where compactness is key,” SEW-EURODRIVE national product manager – standard products Francois Sieberhagen told Pump Industry
“Right-angle gear units, on the other hand, are preferred when space is limited or a 90-degree power transfer
is required, making them well-suited to tight plant layouts and complex piping con� gurations.
“Thanks to our modular design, the same core components can be adapted to di� erent orientations, torque levels, and speed requirements, ensuring every customer receives a solution optimised for their speci� c pumping operation.”
SEW-EURODRIVE prides itself on delivering tailored solutions for each site’s unique requirements and e� ciency goals, with no operational challenge too complex.
“Pump motors operate under demanding conditions,” Sieberhagen said. “They often run continuously, handle variable loads, and operate in wet or corrosive environments.
“To meet these challenges, we provide high-e� ciency motors, robust corrosion protection and sealing, smooth torque delivery, and compact designs that integrate seamlessly into pump skids.
“Our motors can be paired with the ideal frequency inverter for added energy savings, precise � ow control, and reduced mechanical stress.”
Key features of SEW-EURODRIVE’s geared motors include:
• IP56/IP66 enclosures: Superior protection against dust and water ingress.
• KS corrosion protection: Designed for wet or chemically aggressive environments.
• OS surface coatings (OS1 up to OS4): Tailored for everything from humid to severe chemical conditions.
• Factory-sealed bearings: Protect internal components from contaminants and moisture.
• Stainless-steel output shafts: Ideal for hygienic, marine, and wastewater applications, ensuring long-term integrity and performance.
SEW-EURODRIVE complements its geared motor range with advanced drive technology, adding digital precision and smarter control to pumping applications.
“With the option of cabinet, wallmounted, or motor-mounted inverter, variable-speed control enables controlled ramps, � ow optimisation, and energy-e� cient operation
under varying load conditions,” Sieberhagen said.
“The result is enhanced performance, predictive maintenance, and improved process control.”
Long-term gains
SEW-EURODRIVE also addresses the demand for higher-e� ciency geared motors, o� ering IE3, IE4 and IE5 options – all exceeding Australia’s IE2 standard. These motors enable end users to achieve incremental gains, improving throughput, reducing mechanical wear, and lowering costs over time.
More e� cient motors also help OEMs and end users reduce their environmental footprint – an increasingly important goal under growing ESG requirements.
“E� ciency levels depend on the end user’s application duty, load pro� le, and sustainability goals,” Sieberhagen said.
“IE3 motors already exceed the mandatory e� ciency standards in Australia and suit many general-purpose pump applications. IE4 and IE5 motors
o� er substantial energy savings compared with IE3 – making them ideal for continuous-duty systems where small e� ciency gains add up to signi� cant lifecycle savings.”
Sieberhagen describes e� ciency improvement as a “continuous journey” for SEW-EURODRIVE.
“We’re already investing in nextgeneration motor technologies that push well beyond IE5, including permanent-magnet synchronous designs and digital drive integration for precise control and diagnostics,” he said.
“While IE6 isn’t yet standardised, our focus is on system e� ciency – optimising not just the motor, but the entire drivetrain through smart control, energy recovery, and condition monitoring. That’s where the biggest e� ciency gains for pump operators lie.”
Every SEW-EURODRIVE geared motor is supported by industryleading pre- and post-sales service, with a nationwide network providing
SEW-EURODRIVE’s geared motors support a range of end markets, including various applications within sewage treatment plants.
expert assistance throughout the equipment’s lifecycle.
“Across Australia, SEW-EURODRIVE o� ers local assembly, rapid turnaround service, and spare parts availability from our national inventory,” Sieberhagen said.
“Our on-site technical support and training programs have kept our clients’ systems running smoothly for years. Our clients can operate with con� dence knowing they have access to comprehensive support across the lifetime of their assets.”
As energy costs rise and performance demands intensify, SEW-EURODRIVE’s geared motor solutions provide the reliability, control, and longevity the pumping industry depends on.
By maximising total system e� ciency, the company helps operators unlock their equipment’s full potential –boosting uptime and reducing costs in the process.
For more information, visit sew-eurodrive.com.au
SEW-EURODRIVE’s geared motors range from IE3, IE4 and IE5 e ciencies.
Simplicity still wins
Pump Industry sat down with TECO Australia and New Zealand product manager –low voltage motors Atheer Yaseen Nashi to discuss the future of industrial motors.
Australia and New Zealand’s industrial sectors are under mounting pressure to do more with less: reduce energy costs, increase uptime, and comply with tightening e�ciency standards, all without disrupting operations.
In this context, electric motors are emerging as a critical lever for operational and environmental performance.
To understand the role of motor e� ciency in meeting these demands, Pump Industry sat down with TECO Australia and New Zealand product manager – low voltage motors Atheer Yaseen Nashi to discuss the new TECO MAXeV4, a true IE4-rated electric motor designed to bridge the gap between energy performance and operational practicality.
What’s driving the shift towards IE4 motors in Australia and New Zealand?
AY: The biggest push comes from rising electricity costs and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets. For industries like oil and gas or water utilities that run motors 24/7, power bills are enormous.
Since 95 per cent of a motor’s lifetime cost is energy usage, even a few percentage points of e� ciency improvement translate to serious savings. On top of that, we’re seeing more regulatory emphasis on highe� ciency motors under MEPS (minimum energy performance standards), especially in infrastructure and energyintensive operations.
Why has IE4 taken this long to become practical?
AY: IE4 was always promising on paper, but the reality is, many IE4 motors were either permanent magnet or synchronous reluctance types. These need speci� c drives, are harder to service, and typically don’t drop into existing systems easily.
The new TECO MAXeV4 is di� erent. It’s a squirrel cage induction motor, using standard components, available o�-the-shelf, and retro� ttable without modifying baseplates or coupling systems. That’s a game-changer in industries that cannot a�ord and cannot accept downtime.
TECO MAXeV4’s squirrel cage induction motor uses standard components without modifying baseplates or coupling systems.
What’s holding some customers back from adopting IE4?
AY: Cost perception is a big one. Many buyers still focus on upfront price rather than total cost of ownership. There is also the myth that IE4 always requires a variable speed drive (VSD), but that’s not true for the TECO MAXeV4. It runs on DOL (direct-on-line) or with any standard VSD.
Maintenance teams also worry about unfamiliar technology, especially with permanent magnet motors. The beauty of the TECO MAXeV4 is it’s simple, serviceable, and more e� cient.
Where is TECO MAXeV4 making a di� erence in the � eld?
AY: We have seen strong results in oil and gas pumping systems, where typical issues experienced with cavitation and vibration wear motors down. The TECO MAXeV4’s Class H insulation, balanced rotor, 180°C rating and IP66 protection sealing really shines in this sector.
In irrigation, where load � uctuates seasonally, TECO MAXeV4 maintains high e� ciency even at partial loads.
What makes this motor practical to use?
AY: Firstly, the terminal box rotates 360°, making cabling easy regardless of install constraints. Secondly, it’s retro� t-ready, with shaft and foot dimensions matching standard IEC motors. You just bolt it in.
Thirdly, it’s locally stocked. TECO holds inventory across all six branches in Australia and New Zealand, while our TECO ModShop can customise coatings, add thermistors, or rotate terminals within days or even hours.
How do you see energy e� ciency shaping industrial strategies?
AY: It’s shifting from “nice to have” to “non-negotiable”. As operating margins tighten, motors that fail early or waste energy just aren’t viable.
E� cient motors like the TECO MAXeV4 don’t just save power, they run cooler, last longer and reduce unplanned outages. This makes them a strategic asset, not just a compliance checkbox. And in Australia’s climate – hot, dusty and remote – that reliability is priceless.
TECO Australia and New Zealand product manager – low voltage motors Atheer Yaseen Nashi.
Any � nal thoughts?
AY: The TECO MAXeV4 embodies the next chapter in industrial reliability –motors that are not only energy e� cient but also adaptable, durable, and easy to support locally.
As businesses across Australia and New Zealand pursue smarter, more sustainable operations, TECO’s focus on real-world performance ensures customers stay e� cient, compliant, and competitive for years to come.
For more information, visit teco.com.au
Complete review & update
• Three new chapters – Installation, Commissioning and Operations
• Completely rewritten Slurry Pumping and Energy Efficiency chapters
• 80 additional pages
Images: TECO
Franklin Electric’s decade of leadership
Franklin Electric’s permanent magnet motor systems are driving new energy e ciency standards in a range of end markets.
For more than 60 years, Franklin Electric Australia has been a trusted name in water solutions, supporting the nation’s essential water infrastructure across residential, agricultural, municipal, industrial, mining, commercial and fuelling sectors.
As a subsidiary of Franklin Electric – founded in 1944 in Blu� ton, Indiana – the company’s local operations are backed by more than 80 years of global innovation and technical excellence in water and fuelling systems.
From its beginnings as a small electric motor manufacturer, Franklin Electric has grown into a global technology leader, focused on moving water in the most reliable, sustainable and e� cient way possible.
Today, that mission is re� ected in every product Franklin Electric engineers, and no better example exists than the company’s high e� ciency systems powered by permanent magnet (PM) submersible motors.
Franklin Electric is proud to be the pioneer of PM technology in submersible motors.
For more than a decade, the company’s systems have delivered proven results around the world, achieving motor e� ciencies of up to 94 per cent. This exceptional performance
doesn’t just represent engineering expertise, it translates to signi� cant energy savings, reduced environmental impact and lower long-term operating costs for end users.
The key to this superior e� ciency lies in the innovative design of Franklin Electric’s PM rotor, which features embedded magnets that eliminate total rotor losses – a major source of ine� ciency in traditional asynchronous motors.
As the motor operates synchronously with the drive frequency, it draws fewer amps to deliver the same pump output, reducing energy consumption and mechanical stress. In addition, the synchronous motor design generates less heat, performs more e� ectively under partial loads and typically o� ers a longer service life.
Lighter, shorter and more e� cient than comparable asynchronous motors, Franklin’s PM motors are the ideal solution for applications where performance, compact design and reliability are essential. And because all system components are engineered to work seamlessly together, users can count on a new standard of performance and dependability.
To simplify commissioning and con� guration, Franklin Electric’s high
e� ciency system includes an intuitive setup wizard that walks users step-bystep through the drive parameters.
When paired with a variable frequency drive (VFD), users can not only optimise system performance in real time but also monitor and control operations remotely, maximising energy savings while reducing downtime and maintenance requirements.
Franklin Electric’s range of PM submersible motors is available from 4” to 10”, with � exible system con� gurations tailored to a wide variety of applications. Options include various material constructions and compatibility with solar power, further enhancing the system’s sustainability and appeal in remote or o�-grid locations.
Backed by Franklin’s long-standing reputation for quality, reliability and local support, the company’s high e�ciency systems empower customers to do more with less – less energy, less maintenance and less environmental impact.
Franklin Electric believes in designing systems that enhance performance, sustainability and value. Because when quality creates trust, every drop counts.
For more information, visit franklin-electric.com.au
Image: Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric’s PM motors are proven in irrigation applications.
Our spe c ia li se d products a re principally used in medical technolog y, the chemical and pharmaceutical indu stries, cooling and tempering ap plian ces and in the p la st ic s in du str y . Circutec is very export-orie nted and empl oys over 575 staff members worldwide
Produc ts from Circutec a re cha rac terised by a wide range of available varia nts which is specially tailo red to the cu stomer ’s needs. Our staff in th e Tec hni c al Departme nt a re con sta ntly working on n ew solutions and further d evelopme nts to our exi sting p roducts th at help our cu stomers move for ward – d ay in , day out
Industrial Segments
Expertise, agility, and innovation
Techtop Australia is driving the motor industry forward with specialist knowledge and the adaptability to put it into action.
In a sector where technical precision and rapid response are essential, Techtop Australia stands out as a trusted partner for tailored motor solutions and dependable support. With a reputation built on deep expertise and hands-on service, the company continues to empower industries across Australia and New Zealand.
In today’s motor industry, specialist knowledge is a prized asset – and Techtop Australia has it in abundance. This technical excellence forms the foundation of its service model, which is designed to respond swiftly and e� ectively to customer needs.
Just minutes before his interview with Pump Industry, Techtop Australia motor product manager Keiron Cook had already resolved issues for three separate clients, helping them stay on track with minimal disruption.
This kind of responsiveness is what sets Techtop Australia apart. The company doesn’t just deliver premium products – it ensures they’re ready to perform, even when last-minute changes are required.
A portfolio built for performance Techtop Australia o� ers a comprehensive range of electric motors, transmissions, and motor control solutions. Its two � agship motor series include:
• TAI series: lightweight aluminium motors available in both single-phase and three-phase con� gurations, ideal for general-purpose applications.
• TCI series: heavy-duty cast iron motors designed for three-phase use, renowned for their durability in demanding environments such as wastewater treatment.
Techtop’s motors can be modi� ed to meet speci� c operational needs. Available enhancements include epoxy coatings for added corrosion resistance, purpose-built water and oil seals, and upgraded ingress protection (IP ratings).
These modi� cations can be applied to locally stocked products or arranged ex-factory for non-stocked items. Techtop has also delivered bespoke solutions, such as stainless-steel motors for clients dealing with extreme water alkalinity.
E� ciency that drives demand As industries shift towards energye� cient technologies, Techtop Australia has responded with a full suite of high-e� ciency motors.
The TCI range is stocked locally from frame sizes 80 to 355, with larger frames (400 and above) available ex-factory. Options span IE2, IE3, and IE4 classi� cations, meeting both performance and compliance requirements.
The TCI series also features a multi-mount design up to frame size 280, allowing motor feet to be repositioned for side-mounted terminal boxes – adding � exibility to
Techtop Australia o ers a comprehensive portfolio of electric motors, transmissions, and motor control solutions.
its robust cast iron build and superior electrical characteristics.
Complementing the robust performance of the TCI series, Techtop’s TCP series – its premium e� ciency motor range – is rapidly gaining momentum.
Engineered to meet the growing demand for energy-e� cient solutions, the TCP series combines highperformance design with advanced winding technology to deliver superior e� ciency and reliability. Its adoption is accelerating in sectors such as wastewater treatment, desalination, mining, and industrial processing, where cost savings and environmental compliance are key priorities.
Widespread support, local expertise Techtop Australia’s footprint includes six branches across Australia – in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Mackay, Adelaide, and Perth – and three in New Zealand: Auckland, Wellington,
and Christchurch. Each location is sta� ed by experienced managers who understand the nuances of the motor industry.
Techtop Australia strengthened its regional presence with the acquisition of John Brooks Limited in December 2024. Managing director Rohan Pollard called it a strategic move to “enhance capabilities and expand market presence”, bringing together two teams united by a focus on innovation and customer success.
“We look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead as we integrate
our capabilities and continue to deliver outstanding value to our clients,” Pollard said.
Behind Techtop’s success is a team with decades of combined experience and a shared commitment to customer support.
In a market where technical knowledge and fast service are critical, Techtop continues to lead – not just through its products, but through the people and principles that power them.
For more information, visit techtop.com.au
Techtop’s motors can be modified to meet specific operational needs.
“Behind Techtop’s success is a team with decades of combined experience and a shared commitment to customer support.”
Techtop Australia’s lightweight TAI aluminium motors are available in both single-phase and three-phase configurations.
Techtop Australia’s TAI and TCI series motors are designed to support a range of applications.
Volvo Penta on the rise
Backed by an extensive distributor network, Volvo Penta provides durable, e cient engine solutions for Australia and PNG’s toughest industries.
Volvo Penta is bringing on ba ery energy storage systems to support micro grids.
Volvo Penta engines are no stranger on Australian and Papua New Guinea (PNG) shores thanks to a strong footprint of distributors.
This includes Oceania Power in Queensland and PNG, which recently rebranded from Seamech, propelling the company into new markets.
Leveraging Seamech’s award-winning business model, with marine and industrial segments at its core, Oceania Power is expanding into Queensland and PNG’s rich mining sectors, as well as agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Here, mining operators are after engines that keep their dewatering pumps running for longer, with Volvo Penta providing the tailored solutions to suit.
Oceania Power managing director Andrew Cottle explained why an increasing number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users are choosing Volvo Penta engines.
“It comes down to the quality of the product,” he told Pump Industry. “Volvo engines are known for being durable, robust, reliable and fuel e� cient.
“And for Oceania Power and the Volvo Penta network across Australia, we don’t
just sell an engine – a lot of preparatory work is put in at the front end.”
Engines need to be � t for purpose if they are to survive out in the � eld. This sees Oceania Power work closely with its 30 specialised Queensland dealers and customers to ensure an engine is engineered to suit speci� c applications and speci� cations.
“We do a rigorous assessment of how the machine is going to be used and what power is required, which is a collaboration with the local Volvo Penta applications team and engineers based at Volvo Penta headquarters in Sweden, including engineers at Volvo’s headquarters in Sweden,” Cottle said.
“Our approach puts a lot of local OEMs at ease, particularly when they’re exporting machinery into other markets.
“There are a lot of regulatory requirements globally for emissions, and there are a lot of boxes that need to be ticked, so ensuring not only the quality of the product but the support required to see these engines thrive in local conditions is critical to the success of any partnership.”
Cottle said the level of care Oceania Power and the wider Volvo Penta
network show for Volvo Penta engines is increasingly resonating with local OEMs, driving a rush of business across a range of industries.
Australian Volvo Penta distributors include Fenquin, which supplies and services Volvo Penta engines in New South Wales, Industrial Power Systems, which does the same for Victoria and Tasmania, and Don Morton and Ches Power Group (CPG), representing the South Australia and Western Australia markets, respectively.
E� cient irrigation
Industrial Power Systems is getting plenty of wins for its work supporting Volvo Penta engines in the Victorian agriculture industry.
Water is a critical asset in Victoria’s farming regions, and as growers seek to improve productivity while cutting costs, irrigation systems powered by matched pump and engine packages are gaining traction.
Industrial Power Systems has collaborated with Pioneer Pump (Franklin Electric) and Cobram Pumping & Irrigation to help Victorian producers streamline operations and use water more e� ectively.
Industrial Power Systems works with OEMs to
dewatering packages.
Pairing Volvo Penta’s industrial diesel engines, which provide a durable, fuel-e� cient option for agricultural applications, with Pioneer Pump’s centrifugal pumps has proved a winning combination, underpinning highperformance irrigation packages suited to varied terrain and � ow requirements.
Providing sales, spare parts and technical support for NSW marine and industrial sectors for more than 30 years, Fenquin oversees 25 Volvo Penta dealers. Don Morton, with more than 50 years under its belt, supports marine propulsion and industrial power needs in South Australia.
CPG, on the other hand, supports Volvo Penta engines operating in mining, oil and gas, marine and agriculture industries across WA.
Next evolution
With Volvo Penta a renowned innovator, Australian distributors are now ushering in inspired additions to a trusted engine platform.
This includes telemetry, electric-drive engines and the adoption of alternative fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen and dual-fuel options.
Remote monitoring has been warmly welcomed by end users in particular.
“Customers now have access to a portal where they can keep an eye on engine performance in real time, and over time, notice operational trends,” Cottle said.
“If something changes – such as engine temperature or RPM – end users can be noti� ed and take action.”
Cottle said this is Volvo Penta’s way of o� ering the “next layer of customer experience”, allowing customers to “get more connected with their engines”.
Telemetry is enabling end users to further optimise engine operations with a goal of achieving higher e� ciency, lower costs and reduced emissions.
“The future will see increased data sharing between users and central systems, with recommendations coming back to say, for example, ‘Why
Industrial Power Systems is helping Victorian OEMs streamline operations.
does that engine need to operate at that exact RPM? Based on the load pro� le, if you drop to this RPM, you’ll be able to save X litres per year’,” Cottle said.
“These are the kinds of actionable insights that are possible through remote monitoring, with the ultimate goal of getting to downtime close to zero.”
Beyond telemetry, Cottle said there are a range of other emerging technologies entering the Volvo Penta fray.
“Each Volvo Penta distributor across Australia will be overseeing a range of technology advancements in the coming 12–18 months,” he said.
“Volvo Penta is bringing on battery energy storage systems (BESS) to support micro grids and the fast charging of electric equipment. We are also adopting electric drive lines for special vehicles, replacing diesel engines.
“Natural gas engines are being released next year to support power generation, while hydrogen dual-fuel engines are going to be available in variable speed range. This might appeal to some pump customers.”
Through premium Volvo Penta engines and solutions, end users have access to state-of-art technology to re� ne performance and propel operations forward.
Combine this with a comprehensive Australia- and PNG-wide distributorship through Oceania Power and the wider Volvo Penta network, and Volvo Penta customers have all the resources they need to succeed.
For more information, visit oceaniapower.com
Biogas at a crossroads
Australia holds all the ingredients for a thriving biogas industry. What role will SEEPEX play as part of this?
Australia’s biogas industry holds considerable untapped potential. Studies by government agencies and industry bodies indicate that the country has abundant organic resources capable of supporting large-scale biogas and biomethane production.
Despite this strong foundation, development has progressed slowly compared to other renewable sectors.
Many existing facilities still focus on land� ll gas capture or small-scale agricultural digestion, while biomethane upgrading and grid injection remain in their early stages.
Growing interest from policymakers and investors, however, suggests that the sector is now entering a period of renewed momentum, driven by its potential to reduce emissions, create regional jobs and strengthen Australia’s energy security.
According to Grand View Research, the Australian biogas industry is tipped to grow from about $5.3 billion in value in 2023 to nearly $7.4 billion by 2030, driven largely by municipal, industrial and agricultural waste-to-energy sectors. Realising this potential requires addressing policy gaps, technical constraints, and operational challenges.
Policy landscape and political drivers Australia currently lacks a uni� ed national framework for biomethane, limiting sector development.
The national Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) provides broad support for bioelectricity, while the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has funded pilot biogas projects such as the Delorean SA1 biomethane upgrading project. This will divert approximately 70,000 tonnes per annum of commercial and industrial (C&I) food waste from land� ll and mitigate methane emissions.
Amendments to the Safeguard Mechanism in 2023 increased incentives for industrial decarbonisation, enhancing biomethane’s potential for large emitters.
State governments are also introducing measures such as harmonised waste levies and renewable gas mandates.
Despite this progress, policy fragmentation and uncertain revenue streams remain hurdles for many projects. Recoverable biomethane on the east coast alone could meet more than a quarter of regional fossil gas demand, underlining the potential for stronger policy support in the near future.
Plant operators face persistent challenges in biogas production.
Agricultural digesters must handle heterogeneous feedstocks including manure, straw, silage, and foreign debris such as stones or bedding, all of which contribute to wear, blockages, and pump stress.
Fluctuating solids content, particle size, and viscosity further complicate pumping and maintaining consistent feed. Sand, grit, and other abrasives accelerate wear on pump internals and downstream components, resulting in more frequent maintenance and reduced service life.
Continuous operation increases the cost impact of downtime, while digestate handling and dewatering demand reliable conveyance to prevent plugging or damage. Controlling operating expenses and ensuring long asset lifetimes is essential, particularly for small and medium-scale plants.
SEEPEX pumps for e� cient biogas production
E� cient biomass slurry processing is crucial for maximising biogas output, and SEEPEX is a global leader in progressive cavity pumps that deliver reliability and high performance in demanding conditions.
Macerators break down solid organic material, increasing surface area for microbial conversion, while progressive cavity pumps maintain steady � ow into digesters, optimising fermentation and boosting biogas yield.
Technical challenges during slurry transfer, particularly in agricultural or industrial settings with solid manure, straw, stones, or industrial debris, are mitigated by SEEPEX’s Easy Maintenance solutions. These
The Australian biogas industry is expected to grow from about $5.3 billion in 2023 to nearly $7.4 billion by 2030.
designs reduce downtime and simplify repairs, ensuring continuous, e� cient operation.
SEEPEX Smart Conveying Technology (SCT) is particularly valuable. Its patented two-piece rotor-stator design allows maintenance without removing pipework, cutting downtime by up to 85 per cent.
An integrated re-tensioning device compensates for wear, extending rotor and stator life by up to 200 per cent, reducing costs and enhancing longterm performance. Retro� t kits o� er cost-e� ective upgrades without major modi� cations, supporting sustainability and productivity.
SEEPEX pumps also handle digestate e� ciently, with models such as the BTEX from the T range performing reliably under challenging conditions. Advanced control systems like the BGDC (biogas dosing control) manage dosing, mixing, and pumping of liquids and solids, ensuring optimal ratios, operational safety, and e� ciency.
Decades of global installations gives SEEPEX insight into operational challenges, from abrasive slurries to complex maintenance, supporting robust, � eld-proven solutions.
For plant operators, the feasibility of a biogas facility depends on optimising the cost per unit of biogas and maintaining operational reliability.
Progressive cavity pumps from SEEPEX provide lower shear stress,
Many existing biogas facilities still focus on landfill gas capture or small-scale agricultural digestion.
stable volumetric � ow, and tolerance of solids and entrained gas compared with centrifugal or peristaltic alternatives.
Modular, scalable designs and retro� t options, such as SCT kits, allow incremental expansion and upgrades without major civil works. Longer pump life and reduced maintenance needs improve internal rates of return by lowering downtime and repair costs.
Performance and reliability for biogas plants
Australia’s biogas sector stands at a pivotal point, where reliable equipment and technical expertise can transform potential into commercially viable operations.
Engaging with SEEPEX provides access to high-performance pumps and macerators speci� cally designed for slurry and digestate, maintainable solutions that reduce downtime, and advanced control systems that optimise plant operations.
Whether commissioning new digesters, expanding capacity, or retro� tting existing facilities, SEEPEX delivers comprehensive solutions that maximise productivity, mitigate risk, and support long-term sustainability in renewable energy generation.
For more information, visit seepex.com
SEEPEX’s SCT technology supports maintenance without removing pipework, cu ing downtime by up to 85 per cent.
Image: SEEPEX
The future of the pump industry
e State of the Industry 2026 survey reveals a resilient pump sector adapting to change and seeking new growth.
While the whirlwind of global geopolitics continues to place strain on economies and the industries that drive them, some variables remain constant.
For the Australian pump industry, while various pressures in� uenced performance in 2025, some dependable end markets remained key backbones in the year just gone.
Now in its 13th year, the annual State of the Industry survey has once again provided the Australian pump industry
a platform for which to understand the current state of play.
Analysis � nds that mining and water and wastewater industries continued to underpin many balance sheets in 2025, with expectations that some other sectors will play larger roles in 2026.
The Federal Government has rea� rmed its commitment to ushering in a renewable energy revolution, aiming for emissions reduction of 62–70 per cent from 2005 levels by 2035.
The State of the Industry 2026 survey o ers intriguing insight into the current outlook for the Australian pump industry.
Australia’s carbon emissions were 28 per cent below 2005 levels to the end of March 2025, meaning policy support and clean energy adoption will need to accelerate if we are to reach the target.
With this in mind, respondents were asked how the renewable energy transition will in� uence the pump industry next year.
The pump industry also provided its thoughts on the key challenges and opportunities for 2026, while we also gain insight into customer behaviour from 2025.
State of the Industry responses 2026
The prevailing sentiment from survey respondents, made up of pump original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, end users, after-sales and servicing, design, and imports, for the year just gone was that performance met expectations (see Figure 1 on page 46). This made up 57 per cent of responses, with 29 per cent of respondents suggesting that performance fell short of expectations. Several of those who felt performance regressed owed this to projects being postponed or cancelled altogether, with one respondent suggesting that customers were reducing risk and “going with known products rather than experimenting with new technologies”.
Given economic turbulence worldwide, it’s safe to say that risk aversion in many sectors is higher now than it has been in the past. This isn’t to say that emerging technologies won’t cut through, it’s just that, for now, there’s more reticence in the market.
Some of those who saw performance exceed expectations put this down to internal restructuring and business strategy, while others “hustled”, for want of a better term.
Do you expect your company to perform better in 2026 than 2025?
As shown in Figure 2 on page 46, the majority of respondents expect their company to perform better in 2026. Some put this down to further interest rate cuts, while others see delayed projects coming to fruition.
Some companies believe their decision to break into new regions will bolster the order book, with the impending release of new products and innovations providing another reason for optimism.
Those who believe performance will regress in 2026 put it down to the following reasons: lack of government
support and competence, a weak economy and weak Australian dollar, geopolitical instability, and decreased customer budgets.
Another company believes they are currently “at capacity”. The same business said they had a “solid sales base” in 2025, suggesting they are content with where their operation is at.
Which sectors are driving the highest growth in the Australian pump industry?
According to State of the Industry survey data, many pump companies continue to rely on certain trusted industries (see Figure 4 on page 47).
The presence of mining and water and wastewater as the pump sector’s predominant markets is not only
represented in 2025 results but expectations are that these markets will remain key pillars in 2026.
One respondent who selected ‘mining’ and ‘water and wastewater’ in their response believes that municipalities who have not spent on infrastructure “will need to do so soon to keep up with population growth”.
A respondent who selected ‘irrigation’, ‘mining’ and ‘water and wastewater’ as key markets in 2026 suggested that Australian manufacturing quality was equal to European brands at a “lower price tag”.
Elsewhere, respondents foresee demand for Australian commodities as a key driver from the mining sector.
“With the gold and copper prices increasing, I expect projects to be approved and fast tracked,” one respondent said. “Existing brownfield sites are mostly looking to increase throughput also.”
Gold prices topped $US4000 ($6182) per ounce (oz) for the first time in early October, extending an unprecedented run for the precious metal. The commodity was hovering just above $US2600/oz to start 2025.
At the time of writing, copper was trading 24 per cent higher than a year ago, sitting just above $US5 per pound.
The role of renewable energy
Respondents were evenly split on whether Australian pump companies will play a larger role in the renewable energy transition in 2026 from 2025, with the same percentage saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’.
Those who said ‘yes’ put this down to various factors, including the fact that smart pumping systems are the “heart of the process” in renewable energy. Another said ‘yes’ due to the cleanenergy sector’s demand for “smart design in pump control and operation”.
Another respondent said they expected an uptick in demand from renewable energy because governments have been giving the “green light for a record number of (clean energy) projects”.
In saying ‘no’, one person surveyed said that renewables rely on “highly efficient pumps and highly efficient motors”. They suggested Australia could be lagging behind with its motor efficiency standards – IE2 is the minimum requirement – and that “we are starting to see more and more requests for IE4, IE5 and even IE6 motors being asked for”.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
One person surveyed observed an unfortunate trend towards Australian renewable energy applications “fully importing products” from overseas, while another respondent said, “I see many of these (clean energy) projects becoming unviable in the short term and ultimately postponed or cancelled”.
Customer expectations
When asked what changes in customer behaviour they had seen over the past 12 months, the responses were varied.
Some indicated that customer decision making was being increasingly in� uenced by “very tight budgets”, while one person surveyed said customers are “expecting better e� ciency at yesteryear’s prices”.
Another saw pump companies bene� ting from being able to provide “engineering solutions, not just pumps”. Other perspectives included respondents saying that a higher customer focus has been on “energy saving and sustainability”, while, through a mining lens, there’s been a “shift from iron ore and nickel to gold and copper”.
The same respondent observed that customers were hesitant to try new technologies “in-lieu of proven albeit old and outdated products”.
Opportunities and challenges
Rounding out the State of the Industry survey was an analysis of the Australian pump industry’s opportunities and challenges in the next 12–24 months.
Many respondents outlined the industries that will drive growth, with expectations that demand will be tied to mining, municipal, oil and gas, and water and wastewater sectors. One respondent saw the emerging biogas market as a potential driver of growth in the short-to-medium term, while another � agged increased pump demand from the defence industry.
Recent defence developments that could drive demand for local pump companies include eight new Mogami frigates set to be built in Western Australia as part of a $10 billion contract the Federal Government signed with Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries earlier this year.
Elsewhere, shipbuilder Austal recently inked a strategic shipbuilding agreement with the Federal Government to support the construction of Tier 2 surface combatants at its Henderson facility in Perth.
As for pump sector headwinds over the next 12–24 months, some respondents pointed to continued economic uncertainties, including rising costs of production, warehousing and transportation. Others foresee geopolitical challenges, including price reductions from competing European brands and increasing competition from China.
One respondent said, because many companies are doing the same thing, “you must diversify” to stay ahead, while another sees competition arising from companies continually re� ning their craft to achieve “low running costs” and a “high e� ciency operation”.
Another person surveyed said the Australian pump industry is facing a “lack of trained sta� ”, with older pump professionals retiring and knowledge being lost from the sector. They said this is compounded by “no formal training or trade quali� cations” that will have a “signi� cant impact in years to come”.
The State of the Industry 2026 survey shows an Australian pump industry holding steady amid global uncertainty. Mining and water and wastewater sectors continue to anchor performance, while optimism is growing around renewables, defence and new infrastructure investment.
Looking forward, growth will hinge on how well the pump industry adapts to shifting markets and growing competition. Challenges such as cost pressures and skills shortages remain front of mind, while for many, 2026 represents a chance to separate yourself from the pack, where diversi� cation could be a key advantage.
Figure 4
The wastewater sector continues to be a pillar of the pump industry.
#17: NPSH, that well-known misprint
Ron Astall of United Pumps challenges the concept of NPSH, or net positive suction head.
oes the term ‘NPSH’ make sense?
While NPSH, which stands for net positive suction head, is a critical concept in pump systems, I am, perhaps controversially, recommending we change the name of this longaccepted and critical parameter. I believe it is a � awed and misleading misprint. People who only occasionally deal with pumps and piping systems can be excused for their confusion.
Why the confusion?
Consider two simple examples. In Figure 1, the pump has a positive liquid level 2.5m above the pump inlet. Does this mean the net positive suction head
In Figure 2, the pump is situated 1.5m above the liquid level. Does this mean the pump has a net positive suction head of minus 1.5m?
Of course, these calculations are quite wrong. Experienced pump and system people may cringe, but I’ve been given NPSH values calculated this way many times. I’ve frequently had discussions along the lines of, “The liquid level is three metres above the pump, so I have roughly three metres of NPSHa”.
Why these calculations are wrong NPSH is a parameter that tells us how close the liquid is to vapourising or boiling. Put simply, NPSH is the head margin above the liquid vapour pressure. It is the absolute pressure less the vapour pressure, then converted to head units.
NPSH must always be calculated using absolute pressures, which are never positive nor negative, they are absolute. Levels and gauge pressures can be either positive or negative. The term “positive” embedded in net positive
suction head implies, quite reasonably to many, that they can use levels and gauge pressures to calculate NPSH. This is why NPSH is often miscalculated.
NPSH, that well-known misprint
Let’s get rid of the word “positive”. The parameter we are calculating is the usable or “net” head margin, based on absolute pressures and heads. Let’s be bold and rename this parameter ‘net absolute suction head’ (NASH). It means the same thing and describes the parameter correctly.
In � gure 1A and 2A (on page 50), these calculations are completed again with absolute pressure/head values. I am encouraging brave pump manufacturers to put NASHr on their performance curves and brave speci� ers to advise the NASHa on their pump data sheets.
Why is NASH important?
Net absolute suction head (NASH) is a critical parameter that allows us to assess whether a pump will be a� ected by vapourisation of the pumped liquid at the inlet. Vapourisation (or boiling) can occur with any liquid if the local pressure drops below the vapour pressure. This phenomenon is called cavitation, and it is a pump wrecker.
NASHa, which is the available head margin over the liquid vapour pressure at the pump inlet, is to be calculated by the system designer.
NASHr is what the pump needs to avoid cavitation and must be advised by the pump manufacturer (currently called NPSHr in pump speci� cations).
Much conjecture on the best way to express this information abounds, such as “cavitation free” curves and NASHr3 curves etc. Further discussion on some of these aspects could run to thousands of pages and is beyond the scope of this discussion.
To avoid cavitation, system NASHa must always exceed pump NASHr.
Conclusions
NASH, which is the head margin above the liquid vapour pressure, is the absolute pressure less the vapour pressure, converted to head units.
From now on, think net absolute suction head (NASH) when assessing suction conditions. If you see the term NPSH, it really means net absolute suction head, so call it by its proper name.
Am I creating more confusion? Maybe. Hopefully this discussion will generate a better understanding of the physical meaning of this critical parameter.
Think of NASH as the parameter formerly known as NPSH.
“NPSH must always be calculated using absolute pressures, which are never positive nor negative, they are absolute.”
Ron Astall calls for “positive” to be replaced with “absolute” in ‘net positive suction head’.
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Commissioning begins
A er installation is complete, the pump is ready for commissioning. What is involved with this process and what is best practice?
The commissioning of a pump system is critical to the longterm, successful operation of a pump set and its associated system. When done in a systematic and logical fashion as set out in this chapter, the commissioned pump system can expect a long trouble-free life.
This chapter is built around the commissioning of centrifugal pumps, most of which can be applied to positive displacement pumps. Any di� erences applying to positive displacement pumps are noted.
The commissioning engineer must equip themself with the right equipment.
Preparation for commissioning
When commissioning a pump system, it is necessary to have the right people onsite. These should be:
Commissioning engineer
The commissioning engineer is in charge of the commissioning process and directs other personnel, keeps a record of commissioning, and liaises with the contractor or owner or both.
Pump �tter
Before starting the pump set, a pump � tter is required onsite to check the
alignment, assist with the rotation check, check bearing lubrication, and � t gauges as required. When the pump is running, they may need to adjust pump packing and � x any leaks at the pump and pipes.
Electrician
If an electric drive pump set is being commissioned, the electrician is required to check, prior to start up, the electrical connections and adjust the connections should the pump rotation be wrong.
During the commissioning run, they check the amps and volts being drawn by the motor, which gives an indication of the power consumption of the pump set, and assist with any electrical problems as they arise.
Diesel �tter
The diesel � tter is needed for all the relevant pre-start engine checks, i.e. is the fuel tank full, oil supply correct, and are the air, oil and fuel � lters clean?
During the commissioning run, the diesel � tter is required to ensure the engine runs at the correct speed and adjust as necessary. They also monitor the engine condition to ensure it runs at the right temperature with the coolant not overheating, and ensure that the lubricating oil pressure and temperature is steady and correct.
Commissioning tools
Apart from the normal � tter and electrician tools, it is recommended the commissioning engineer equips themself with the following:
• Mechanics stethoscope: This is used to listen for unusual bearing and pump noises allowing a clear diagnosis of any problems.
• Infrared temperature meter: To check bearing and driver temperatures during the commissioning run.
• Vibration meter: To monitor both pump and driver vibration levels to ensure they remain within acceptable levels during the commissioning run.
• Tachometer: To check pump operating speeds. This is particularly useful when the driver is an engine, or an electric pump is controlled by a variable speed drive.
• Multimeter: To check the electric motor amps and volts.
Commissioning documentation
The following documentation should be gathered and studied prior to the start of the commissioning process:
• Pump set instruction manual
• As-built pump data sheet
• Pump curve
• Motor data sheet
Commissioning process
Pre-start checks
This commonly begins with a “toolbox meeting” where commissioning personnel meet to clarify and discuss the procedures to be followed.
The following checks should be carried out before the pump set is started.
1. Remove coupling guard
2. Rotate the driver and pump shafts to ensure they turn freely
3. Uncouple the driver from the pump
Note: If the pump is a motor pump, steps 1, 2 and 3 are not required, however the pump should be bump started to check the rotation.
4. Check the driver rotation
5. Check for pipe strain by removing the pump � ange bolts
6. Con� rm the pump and driver are correctly aligned
7. Visually check system pipework to ensure correct installation
8. Recouple the pump and driver and re� t the guard
9. Check that the pump and drive bearings have been correctly lubricated in accordance with the makers’ instructions. If not, lubricate
10. If the bearings are oil lubricated by oil rings in the bearing housing, check that the rings are set correctly in the housing
11. If bearings have oil level gauges on the bearing housing, check that the oil is at the correct level
12. If they are not already � tted, � t appropriate suction compound and discharge pressure gauges, if practical
13. If a � ow measuring device is � tted, ensure that all the delivery from the pump goes to the device
14. If the pump set is electric drive, check insulation resistance and all electrical connections
15. Check that power is available to the system
16. Isolate all water supplies to other pumps and devices in the system such as jockey pumps
17. If the pump set is engine-driven, the following checks are required on the engine:
a. Check that there is su� cient fuel in the fuel tank
b. Check the fuel is not contaminated with water
c. Check all fuel valves are open
d. Check all the � lters are installed and clean. These include air, fuel and oil � lters
e. Check lubricating oil is clean and at the correct level
f. Check the batteries are fully charged, battery leads are in good condition, and the connections are tight
g. For water-cooled engines, check the cooling system is clear
h. For air-cooled engines, check air ducting is clear
i. Check the exhaust system is correctly � tted
j. Isolate the power supplies of any electric pump associated with the system and/or the battery charger related to the engine.
Pre-start procedure
Once the pre-start checks have been completed, the pump is ready to start. However, before the start button is pressed, the following actions are required:
1. Open the pump suction valve.
2. Prime the pump by � lling the casing and suction pipe while venting the air from the pump and suction line. Note: for self-priming pumps, it is normally only necessary to � ll the casing, as when started, the self-priming action of the pump will evacuate the suction line and � ll with water. A short time for this to take place is required before the pump delivers full � ow
3. If the pump has a packed gland, ensure that the gland bolts are � nger tight
4. Close the pump discharge valve
5. The pump set is now ready to start.
Starting procedure
Now that the pump has been fully prepared for operation, the pump can now be started using the following procedure:
1. Crack the pump discharge valve before start so that it is open
2. Start the pump set
3. Slowly open the pump discharge valve observing:
a. Suction and discharge gauge pressure at valve shut
b. Suction and discharge gauge pressure at ¼, ½, ¾ and full open valve
4. The pump is now up and running with the discharge valve fully open. It should be running at its nominated duty point
For positive displacement pumps, these pumps need to be started with the
Pump commissioning is a detailed process, but any missteps could prove costly.
discharge valve open due to the danger of over pressuring.
In addition to the starting procedure outlined above, the following also needs to be done for particular circumstances:
1. If the pump is engine-driven, check the engine speed at valve shut as this should not be more than 110 per cent of the nominated duty speed
2. If a pump set is engine-driven or controlled by a variable speed
controller with discharge valve fully open, check the pump is running at the speed for its nominated duty
3. If the pump is normally started automatically, shut down the pump and restart in automatic to ensure it starts at the correct setting
The pump is now ready to run for the � rst time. The next parts of this series will discuss the actual commissioning process and its evaluation.
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