Calcareous inlays in water pumps cause the turbines and diffusers to get stuck. Due to this, the performance (flow) of the pumps is seriously affected as there is not enough space left for the water to flow. In cases of serious lime scale incrustation, the water pumps may remain stuck and may not start because of the amount of lime adhered to the turbines and diffusers.

The measurement and control systems of the water pumps, (pressure switches and pressure gauges) are also affected by the problems of scale. When these are plugged by lime they are causing the pressure switches not to act correctly by varying the start and stop pressure, as well as the pressure gauges give reading errors.