Xylem Launches Dry Test Pit Facility in Sweden

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Xylem has unveiled a new dry test pit for large capacity pumps at its global manufacturing plant in Emmaboda, Sweden. The new facility will enable testing of wastewater pumps up to 20,000 pounds (lbs) in horizontal and vertical configurations, in a dry environment on-site at Emmaboda, providing customers with in-depth and exact performance data for their intended application. The new test pit is particularly significant for Xylem’s municipal customers seeking to bolster their stormwater management infrastructure. Global flood losses as a result of shifting weather patterns are expected to increase to US$52 billion per year by 2050, from US$6 billion in 2005. Xylem’s new dry-pit testing facility will support the testing requirements of customers purchasing large capacity stormwater pumps to help build resilience to these severe weather events. A first for Xylem in Europe, the dry testing pit will reduce the delivery times of pumps requiring witness-testing in a dry installation. Previously, the pump would need to be sent either to Xylem’s custom pump testing facility in the U.S. or to a third-party testing location. Customers can now attend the testing on-site at Xylem’s manufacturing facility in Emmaboda, benefiting from not only the testing itself, but receiving expert advice and visiting other parts of the factory to view the entire manufacturing process and Xylem’s advanced customization capabilities. “In Emmaboda, we have been able to test large capacity submersible pumps in wet installations for many years and this has provided our customers with real-time performance measurements and absolute confidence in their purchase,” said Benny Moline, Production Engineer at Xylem’s Emmaboda plant, “Customers have also welcomed the opportunity to visit our state-of-the-art foundry, production lines, showroom and Flygt museum. Now we are pleased to offer the same service to customers purchasing wastewater pumps.” The new testing facility will also contribute to Xylem’s ability to serve customers in the industrial sector who often have very specific testing requirements associated with rigorous industry standards. The testing environment will provide important performance data including efficiency points and Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH), all of which will ensure compliance and deliver peace of mind to the customer. Furthermore, the performance data will enable Xylem’s engineers to continuously improve hydraulic designs. The municipality of Nassau County, New York is the first customer to avail of the new testing facility following an order of four Flygt CZ3800 dry horizontal installed wastewater pumps – Xylem’s largest Flygt pumps. The pumps will be used to help increase the municipality’s stormwater management capacity. Earlier this month, Nassau County representatives attended Emmaboda for on-site pump testing and a ceremony to mark the inauguration of the test pit.