Pumping system and method having an independent controller

A method of controlling a variable-speed drive operating a variable-speed electric motor driving a fluid pump moving water, the method comprising the steps of:

• performing a first operation on the water with a first auxiliary device defining a first performance characteristic;
• performing a second operation on the water with a second auxiliary device defining a second performance characteristic;
• sensing a current performance characteristic of the water;
• evaluating with a means for controlling an optimal performance characteristic of the water having an optimal energy consumption for the variable-speed electric motor over time based on a combined consideration of the first performance characteristic, the second performance characteristic, and the current performance characteristic of the water to avoid unnecessary operation of the variable-speed electric motor while achieving the first performance characteristic and the second performance characteristic;
• and
• altering with the means for controlling a present operation of the variable-speed electric motor by altering over time a frequency output to the variable-speed electric motor by the variable-speed drive to achieve the optimal performance characteristic.