Results will appear here once you stop the timer
What does this measure?
This test measures the flow rate of a pipe, tap, or pump outlet — how many litres per minute are actually being delivered. Useful for pump commissioning, zone sizing, and diagnosing pressure issues.
Flow rate benchmarks
A typical residential reticulation zone runs at 15–25 L/min. A bore pump at 30–60 L/min. If you're seeing under 10 L/min at the tap, check for pressure reducers, undersized pipe, or a worn pump.
How to get an accurate result
Use the largest bucket you have — bigger volume means more time and a more accurate reading. Make sure the flow is steady before you start. Do 2–3 runs and average them for best results.
Catch can test vs bucket flow test
These are two different tests. The catch can test measures how much water sprinklers put down (precipitation rate). The bucket flow test measures raw pipe or pump flow rate.
Bucket flow test explained
What's the formula?
Flow rate (L/min) = bucket volume in litres ÷ fill time in seconds × 60. The tool handles all the unit conversions automatically once you stop the timer.
When would I use this on a reticulation system?
Use it to verify bore pump output after installation, to check if a zone has enough flow for the number of heads, or to troubleshoot a zone that isn't achieving expected coverage. Knowing your actual flow rate is the starting point for proper zone design.
What size bucket should I use?
The bigger the better — a 10–20 litre bucket gives a more accurate result than a small 5L container because the fill time is longer and any reaction time error is proportionally smaller. For very high flow rates (bore pumps etc.) use a 20L or larger container.
How accurate is this method?
For most field purposes it's accurate to within 5–10%, which is perfectly adequate for irrigation sizing. For precision pump testing you'd want a calibrated flow meter. Contact Retic Man if you need a professional flow assessment across Perth.