Pump distributor Wilo Salmson South Africa has been contracted to power the water transfer systems for two new 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums, Port Elizabeth’s (PE’s) Nelson Mandela stadium and the Green Point stadium, in Cape Town.

To meet the water demand of the about 50 000 people, including players, spectators and FIFA officials, at the R1,7-billion Nelson Mandela stadium, engineers specified high-performance pumps to deliver at least 32 500 ∙/h of water at a maximum demand pressure of 6,5 bar. Three Wilo Salmson MV1607 vertical multistage pumps driven by 5,5-kW motors were installed for this purpose.

Water for ground-floor accommodation at the stadium, including player change rooms, medical quarters and very-important- person suites, are supplied directly from a 48 000-∙ tank.

“The rest of the stadium is fed from the PE mains supply, but, should this supply fail, the Salmson pumps can be switched on to provide water for the entire stadium,” says main plumbing contractor Paolo Plumbing site agent Dave Aitchison.

“The plumbing system was tested to the stadium’s full 50 000 capacity during a rugby match earlier this year and we are confident that it will be able to handle a full-capacity 2010 FIFA World Cup crowd,” he adds. The stadium has also hosted a number of soccer games since its completion.

An on-site service unit is available to solve any problems that may arise. While the pumps are manufactured in France, the control system design and construction are done in South Africa. “This means that immediate local technical backup is avail- able,” says Aitchison.

Further, Wilo Salmson’s PE branch also supplied three separate Aqualine 100-26 centrifugal pump sets to feed water to the stadium’s air-conditioning cooling towers. PE branch manager Mark Francis says that the pumps, equipped with stainless steel shafts and bronze impellers, are designed to deliver 250 000 ∙/h at a pressure of 6 bar.

“Engineers specified pumps of proven quality, build and performance. The decision to use Wilo Salmson South Africa equipment was also supported by the company’s ability to supply the precise specification of pumps needed and that it could guarantee good backup and spares availability,” he says.

The pump system format at the Green Point stadium, now nearing completion, is similar to that of the Nelson Mandela stadium, with three pump sets form the heart of the system to provide a nonstop supply of potable water for fans, players and officials. Francis explains that two of the pumps are full-duty units, while the third is automatically available for service should either of the other two pumps fail.

The three Wilo Salmson South Africa MV3605 pumps, with stainless steel internals, run off 9-kW motors, boosting water from a 60 000-∙ tank at a flow rate of 17 ∙/s to various parts of the stadium at a pressure of 7 bar. Each pump can deliver over 30 m³/h of water.

Cape Town pump technology company Pump Control Systems, which is installing the Green Point stadium pump sets and has designed and built the computerised control unit, reports that a switching system automatically alternates pump operation to ensure that the pumps do not over- or underwork.

Pump Control Systems reports that engineers working on the project wanted a durable variable-speed drive pump. The company recommended the Wilo Salmson South Africa unit because it has had extensive experience with it and has found it to be an efficient pump with smooth pressure control.

The World Cup stadium contracts have better positioned Wilo Salmson South Africa in the market, opening opportuni- ties for other contracts, as well as creating interest in and increasing enquiries about the company’s service.