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Emergency Pump Provides Water Security
Kurt Blomback, an electrician who lives in rural Belgrade, Mont., learned the hard way about the importance of water security when his well pump failed. The experience prompted him to start Apocalypse Well Pumps.
  “I designed an emergency pump with a very simple design, which means low cost, high reliability, and they are very easy to install,” Blomback explains.
  The pumps can be installed ahead of time and left in the well. Because of their unique way of using just water to seal the piston, there are no O-rings or leathers in the AK- style pumps (which can reach down to 50 ft.).
  The foot valve is simple – a stainless steel ball – making the pump maintenance-free and ready to use when needed. The pump drains rapidly via a weep hole that is 5 ft. down, so it is freeze-proof (tested at -35F).  The pump, drop pipe and pump rods are made from UV-stabilized pvc or stainless steel.
  “We made a very narrow, long pump so it fits with pitless adapters (in 6-in. wells). That makes installation easy,” Blomback says. The emergency pump also fits in 4-in. wells without pitless adapters and 2-in. sandpoint wells.
  Prices for kits that come with pipes in 5-ft. sections start at $195 for 10 ft. and go to $385 for 50 ft. of pipe. Blomback notes that the system works in wells drilled deeper than that if the (static) water level in the well is 50 ft. or less.
  For deeper wells, Blomback designed the AR pump that goes to 125 ft. for $325. Because of the cost of shipping, he doesn’t include the 10-ft. lengths of 3/4-in. schedule 40 pvc pipe required to go down into the well.
  “Because of the depth, the system uses a smaller 1-in. dia. piston and a synthetic rubber cup seal that needs replacing whenever the electric pump is replaced (5-10 years),” Blomback says.
  Several videos at his website explain how to install the system and the additional items needed to purchase locally (concrete, steel pipe, etc.).
  Customers have included people from a broad spectrum including ranchers who need to water livestock in a remote area with a well.
  “We can pull 5 gal./minute at 25 ft.,” Blomback says, noting it slows down as the well gets deeper. “But for an emergency pump you want reliability. With the AK pump you don’t have to worry about rotted leathers or bad O-rings.”
  With the pump and a Saturday afternoon installing it, Blomback says water security is possible for an economical investment that buys peace of mind.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Apocalypse Well Pumps, 8615 Dry Creek Rd., Belgrade, Mont. 59714 (ph 406 451-3770; www.apocalypsewellpumps.com; apocalypse.wellpumps@gmail.com).
  



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2017 - Volume #41, Issue #3