Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,
Working with my daughter on an automatic irrigation system for our gardern. This comprises of a bucket of water, submersible water pump, hosing, electric timer and drip emitters. Everything works fine when the pump is turned on, but when the pump is turned off (even unplugged) the water keeps running. At first we thought it was gravity so we put the water bucket at a lower level than the gardern...this did not work. Then we placed the hosing 3 ft in the air and the water still manages to runs slowly. We are thinking it has something to do with the water pressure that was built up in the hose keeps moving the water??? Any help will be appreciated. We also tested with another pump and get the same results.

Hello,

Sounds like a fun project! Based on your description you may be experiencing a siphon effect that is continuing to draw water out of the bucket through the hose. You might try breaking the suction in the line by allowing air to enter at a high point when the pump stops.

https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/topics/ ... king-sound

Good luck,

Audrey