--- title: What You Need to Know About Master Valves for Pump Stations description: 3 reasons you may or may not want to include them in an irrigation system. image: https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/ewing-irrigation-munro-master-valves-for-pump-stations-new.jpg --- ### Resources [![Ewing Outdoor Supply Logo V 4 Color](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Ewing%20Outdoor%20Supply%20Logo%20V%204%20Color.png) ](https://www.ewingoutdoorsupply.com/) [![Login/Register](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20200354/5d045e9a-574a-4a92-a8cc-1ce2a4352784.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20200354/5d045e9a-574a-4a92-a8cc-1ce2a4352784) 0 You have no items in your shopping cart ### Shop Products Shop Products # Irrigation & Landscape supply Blog # What You Need to Know About Master Valves for Pump Stations [Ashlee Pond](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ashlee-pond) on September 21, 2021 Share - [**](https://twitter.com/share?source=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-master-valves-for-pump-stations&text=What%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20About%20Master%20Valves%20for%20Pump%20Stations%20-%20https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-master-valves-for-pump-stations) - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-master-valves-for-pump-stations&title=What%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20About%20Master%20Valves%20for%20Pump%20Stations&picture=https://20200354.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20200354/ewing-irrigation-munro-master-valves-for-pump-stations-new.jpg&description=3%20reasons%20you%20may%20or%20may%20not%20want%20to%20include%20them%20in%20an%20irrigation%20system.) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-master-valves-for-pump-stations&title=What%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20About%20Master%20Valves%20for%20Pump%20Stations&summary=3%20reasons%20you%20may%20or%20may%20not%20want%20to%20include%20them%20in%20an%20irrigation%20system.) - [**](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-master-valves-for-pump-stations) ![](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/ewing-irrigation-munro-master-valves-for-pump-stations-new.jpg) Master valves are a common component in most irrigation systems, but they are not always required. A master valve is an automatic valve that is installed at the point where the irrigation system connects to the water supply. The purpose of the master valve is to protect the system from a line break by shutting off the water to the irrigation system when none of the zone valves are operating. Here are three considerations for master valves and why your customer might want to, or not want to, specify a master valve when utilizing a pumping station for an irrigation system. ## Watch for Over Pressurization When a pump station is used to pressurize the water, a master valve can work against the pump station, making it difficult for the pump station to operate properly. Why? Because the master valve may cause the pump to become over pressurized and shut down, to avoid pump damage. There is a way to stop these two critical pieces of their irrigation system from fighting with each other. ## Use Pressure Boost Applications to Create Harmony In pressure boost applications, the pump station can be used to control the master valve. Properly wiring the master valve to the pump station will enable the pump station to open and close the master valve, based on signals from the irrigation clock. This will ensure that the valve opens when the pump runs and closes when the pump is not running, avoiding damage to the pump due to over-pressuring. ## Consider Eliminating the Master Valve with Suction Lift Applications What? Eliminate the master valve? Yep, that’s right. When using a pump station to pump from a surface water source, a master valve may not be necessary at all. In this case, the pump station itself can be treated as a master valve by starting and stopping the pump based on the irrigation clock management – there is no need to have a separate valve to open when the irrigation cycle is called. This can help simplify the irrigation system as well as conserve overall product and installation costs. There are many variables when it comes to [pump stations](https://www.munropump.com/Packaged-Pump-Stations/Stand-Alone-Systems). Understanding what options are available will help to secure your customer’s trust. If you need help finding the appropriate product for your customer’s application, call or email our Ewing Pump Hotline at 1-844-PUMP-PRO or [info@ewingpumppro.com](mailto:info@ewingpumppro.com). TAGS: [Irrigation System](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/irrigation-system), [Irrigation Solutions](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/irrigation-solutions), [Irrigation Installation](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/irrigation-installation), [Irrigation](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/irrigation), [Master Valves](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/master-valves), [Munro](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/munro), [Pump Stations](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/pump-stations), [Irrigation Pumps](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/irrigation-pumps) ### Looking for More? ### Topics - [Ewing News (194)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/ewing-news) - [Irrigation (191)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/irrigation) - [News Release (180)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/news-release) - [Business Tips (134)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/business-tips) - [Turf (100)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/turf) - [Water Efficiency (96)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/water-efficiency) - [Smart Irrigation (85)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/smart-irrigation) - [Business (79)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/business) - [Landscape Maintenance (71)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/landscape-maintenance) - [Outdoor Living (69)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/outdoor-living) - [Landscape Lighting (61)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/landscape-lighting) - [Water Conservation (58)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/water-conservation) - [Athletic Fields (52)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/athletic-fields) - [Sports Fields (52)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/sports-fields) - [Golf (50)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/golf) - [Lawn Care (50)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/lawn-care) - [Hardscape (47)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/hardscape) - [Sustainable Solutions (46)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/sustainable-solutions) - [Ewing Education (45)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/ewing-education) - [Green Industry (41)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/green-industry) ## Related [ Managing Localized Dry Spot with Smarter Moisture Solutions ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/managing-localized-dry-spot-with-smarter-moisturesolutions) By [Kevin Lewis](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/kevin-lewis) On July 7, 2026 [ Managing Sports Fields with Smart Irrigation Technology ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/managing-sports-fields-with-smart-irrigation-technology) By [Ian Yarian](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ian-yarian) On July 2, 2026 [ Smart Irrigation Starts with the Controller ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/smart-irrigation-starts-with-the-controller) By [Greg Williams](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/greg-williams) On June 30, 2026 ## Related ## [4 Tips for Choosing The Right Pump Control Box](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/4-tips-for-choosing-the-right-pump-control-box) By [Ashlee Pond](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ashlee-pond) On November 11, 2025 ## [Beyond the Blue Counter: The Benefits of the Ewing Pump Hotline](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/beyond-the-blue-counter-benefits-of-ewing-pump-hotline) By [Ashlee Pond](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ashlee-pond) On November 2, 2022 ## [The Method for Quickly Selecting a Pump Control Box](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/the-method-for-quickly-selecting-a-pump-control-box) By [Ashlee Pond](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ashlee-pond) On September 6, 2022 ### Subscribe via Email Enter your email to get special offers, exclusive discounts, and more! 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