Centrifugal Pumps
At ACE, we understand that effective water management must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship. Our Pentair Fairbanks Nijhuis fish-friendly centrifugal pumps combine world-class hydraulic performance with proven fish- and eel-safe design — ideal for flood defence, land drainage, water-transfer, wetland, habitat and SUDS projects where ecology matters as much as efficiency. Whether supplying new pumping stations or retrofitting existing ones, ACE handles the full process, offering supply, installation, project-management and aftercare, so you get a turnkey solution tailored to your site.
Fish-Friendly Design
Our fish friendly centrifugal pumps use a specially shaped impeller with a smooth, rounded leading edge. This innovative geometry ensures exceptionally low strike risk, allowing 100% of eels and over 97% of fish to pass through the pump unharmed. The design protects wildlife without compromising hydraulic performance.
Prestigious Manufacturer
Pentair Fairbanks Nijhuis is recognised worldwide for manufacturing high-capacity pumping equipment for large-scale flood defence and water-transfer installations. Their fish friendly centrifugal pumps deliver outstanding reliability, long service life, and proven performance in demanding environments.
Cost-Efficient Retrofitting
Thanks to their adaptable design, fish friendly centrifugal pumps can be integrated into many existing pumping stations. In numerous applications, retrofitting requires minimal civil modifications — significantly reducing project cost and installation time.
About Centrifugal Pumps
The centrifugal pump features a unique impeller with wide blade spacing, optimised flow channels, and a smooth profile. This ensures fish can safely enter, travel through, and exit the pump. Extensive independent testing confirms exceptional survival rates, even for sensitive species such as eels.
These pumps are ideal for upgrading older pumping stations, offering strong environmental benefits alongside improved hydraulic performance. Conversion costs are often considerably lower than installing alternative pump types.
Why Choose Centrifugal Pumps
01
Efficient Fluid Transport
Fish friendly centrifugal pumps convert rotational energy into water movement with excellent efficiency. Their stable, predictable flow makes them suitable for flood-defence infrastructure, water-level management, drainage networks, and industrial water-handling systems.
02
Low Maintenance
With fewer moving parts and a streamlined internal design, maintenance demands are low. This results in reduced downtime, lower lifetime costs, and improved long-term reliability — essential for operational resilience.
03
Versatility
These pumps perform effectively across a broad range of low-viscosity liquids, including freshwater, brackish water, light wastewater, and habitat-restoration flows. They are ideal for sites where environmental protection and hydraulic performance are equally important.
04
Reliable Pressure & Flow Generation
The pump’s rotating impeller and carefully engineered casing generate consistent pressure and high-volume flow. This makes fish friendly centrifugal pumps an excellent choice for applications requiring large water transfers or controlled lifting against moderate heads.
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Frequently Asked Questions
With a specially shaped impeller, smooth leading edges and wide clearances, the pump safely guides fish through the flow path. Independent testing showed 100% eel survival and over 97% survival across key fish species, making them one of the safest pumping options for aquatic environments.
Yes. ACE provides full technical support during design and installation. Using CFD modelling, 3D layouts, and decades of pumping-station experience, we help engineers optimise pump selection, alignment, and integration into new or existing structures.
Absolutely. Their hydraulic performance matches — and often exceeds — standard centrifugal pumps. When paired with variable-speed drives, they maintain high efficiency at lower speeds, improving fish safety and reducing energy consumption, noise, and vibration.
Yes. Designs can be tailored to suit existing civils, electrical supplies, or hydraulic constraints. For challenging or space-restricted sites, Pentair Fairbanks Nijhuis can produce fully bespoke units engineered specifically for the installation.
Related Projects
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More About Centrifugal Pumps
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Wildlife Conservation: Proven survival rates over 97% for fish and 100% for eels — ideal for SSSI sites, nature reserves, and environmentally regulated watercourses.
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Optimised Design for Fish Well-being: Smooth internal geometry reduces turbulence and impact forces, guiding fish safely through the flow path.
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Low Total Cost of Ownership: Built to exceptional standards, the pumps offer long operational life, reduced maintenance and excellent energy efficiency.
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Easy Installation & Retrofit: Many configurations can be installed with minimal civil modifications, making upgrades quick, safe and cost-effective.
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Reduced Maintenance Costs: Optimised impeller design reduces clogging risk and mechanical wear, ensuring longer service intervals and dependable performance.
Technical Specifications (Typical):
– Vertical or horizontal installation options
– Wet- or dry-well configurations
– Flow rates typically 1,500–180,000 m³/h (with bespoke larger options)
– Head range approx. 1–8 m, suitable for flood defence and water-level control
– Compatible with natural water, brackish water, and screened wastewater
