Borehole and submersible pumping
Pumps, controls and rising mains for boreholes, sized to what the borehole can actually give.
A borehole has a limit. The pump has to respect it
Pump a borehole faster than the ground refills it and the water level drops towards the pump. Size the pump well and it delivers for years. Size it badly and it runs dry, overheats or wears out early.
The way to size it is from a pumping test, the rising main length and what you need to use each day.
A submersible pump in a borehole
Raise the pumping rate and watch the water level fall.
Drag the slider to raise the pumping rate. The water level inside the borehole drops as the pump draws water faster than the ground can refill it. Illustrative only: real borehole performance comes from a pumping test.
From pump to tank
- Submersible pump and motor selection
- Rising main, cable and fittings
- Starter or variable speed drive
- Dry-running and overload protection
- Wellhead, non-return and isolation valves
- Storage tank and float or level control
- Installation and commissioning
What we ask about
What we look at and what we ask about so the recommendation fits your site, not a generic one.
- Borehole depth and casing diameter
- Static water level and pumping test result
- Water quality, including sand
- Daily water need and peak demand
- Power supply: grid, generator or solar
- Distance and height to the tank or point of use
Pump to the yield, not to the maximum
A pump that suits the borehole runs for longer between repairs and uses less electricity. If the borehole yield is low, a smaller pump with storage often works better than a large one running dry.
- Storage tank smooths peak demand
- Level control avoids dry running
- Solar can power daytime pumping
Pipework, storage and the stock that drinks
Rising-main pipework
Elevated tank
Livestock waterIndustries that rely on this
Frequently asked questions
Why does my borehole run dry?
Often the pump is drawing water faster than the borehole recovers. A pumping test shows the sustainable yield, and the pump and storage can then be set to match it.
Do I need a pumping test?
For a new installation it is strongly advised. It tells us how much water the borehole can give and how low the level falls, which is what the pump is sized from.
Can you replace the pump in an existing borehole?
Yes in many cases. Send us the nameplate details and what you know about the borehole, and we will advise on a replacement.
Tell us about your water system
Whether you know the pump you need or only know something is wrong, we will help you find the right next step.