Awaiting measurement
Bore pumps & high flow
Bore pumps typically produce 20–60+ L/min. The gauge goes to 50 — anything beyond that indicates a commercial or high-pressure bore supply. Check pipe sizing carefully.
Reticulation zone sizing
Most residential zones run 10–25 L/min depending on head count. A single 25mm poly main at good pressure handles up to ~35 L/min before velocity becomes a concern.
Why bucket size matters
Larger buckets give a more accurate reading because timing errors are proportionally smaller. For very high flow rates, a 20L bucket and a stopwatch is the most reliable field method.
Results seem wrong?
Make sure you're timing from the first drop to completely full. Any hesitation at the start skews results — run the tap briefly, then start timing on a fresh fill.
Bucket flow test explained
What's the formula?
Flow (L/min) = bucket volume (L) ÷ time (seconds) × 60. The result is then converted to L/hr and GPM/GPH automatically.
What flow rate should I expect from mains water?
Perth mains reticulation supply is typically 12–25 L/min depending on meter size, street main diameter, and distance from the main. Anything below 10 L/min suggests a restriction worth investigating — check the backflow device and meter strainer.
Can I use this for bore pumps?
Yes — it's the standard method for bore pump commissioning. Use a 20L bucket and ensure the pump has been running for at least 60 seconds before timing to get a stable figure. For proper bore yield testing you need a sustained test of 30–60+ minutes.
How does this relate to zone design?
Your total available flow rate determines how many heads you can run per zone. Add up the flow rates of each head type in L/min and ensure the zone total stays under about 80% of your measured supply capacity. Use the Precipitation Rate tool to work out head spacing once you know your flow constraints.