A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Submersible Pump for Your Needs

In case your work deals with water supply, drainage, and disposal of water waste, you are most likely to encounter submersible pumps some time. As with any other equipment, submersible pumps come in various models, types and sizes. The problem comes in, especially for beginners, when you have to sort through all of them and decide which is best for you.    

Don’t worry, with this guide, whether you are planning to buy a pump for your home, farm, construction site or an industrial facility, you will have all the information you need at your disposal.  

What is a Submersible Pump?  

As the name suggests, a submersible pump is one which is meant to operate when submerged in water or another liquid. Submersible pumps are much different from traditional pumps. Traditional pumps are situated above water and have to ‘pull’ water. Submersible pumps ‘push’ water from below to the surface.

This powerful but simple design makes them:

• More Efficient – Reduced energy loss compared to surface pumps.

• Versatile – for residential, industrial, and agricultural applications.

• More Durable – capable of enduring harsh conditions and long work hours.

Why Would You Use A Submersible Pump?  

Before buying a pump, understanding your needs is important. Submersible pumps are used for:

• Residential needs: supplying water from wells, draining basements, emptying swimming pools, and sewage management.

• Agriculture: irrigation and draining excess water for crops, and livestock water supply.

• Construction: dewatering and removing groundwater from sites, and dealing with slurry.

• Industry: treatment of wastewater, pumping oil and gas, and coolant systems.

Knowing your goals helps you understand your options and almost immediately narrow down the type of pump that suits your needs.

Considerations When Choosing a Submersible Pump

1. Category of Liquid Being Pumped

It is important to know not all submersible pumps are created equal. Different liquids require different pumps, for example:

Sewage and wastewater pumps – for dirty liquids, sludge, or waste solids  

Clean water pumps – for wells, fountains, swimming pools and drinking water systems  

Slurry pumps – used in mining, construction or other heavy-duty environments where sand, mud, or gravel resides  

Chemical pumps – used for corrosive or hazardous liquids in industrial settings  

Always avoid and improve pump damage and pump efficiency by matching it to the liquid it is designed to handle.  

2. Pump Capacity and Flow Rate

Measured in liters per minute or cubic meters per hour, the flow rate indicates how much water the pump is able to move.  

Most households do not need a water flow to be above 100 to 200 L/min, so the flow rate is sufficient.  

Higher flow rate is required in agriculture for irrigation purposes.  

Industrial purposes or construction sites require high capacity pumps that are able to move large quantities of water within a short period of time.  

As a rule of thumb, it is better to choose a pump designed for slightly higher flow rate than what is estimated.

3. Head (Pressure Requirement)

The head is the metric that measures the height to which the pump can lift the water. It is measured in meters.

With regard to wells, the pump is expected to lift the water from deep underground.

From the household perspective, some pumps can provide water pressure to taps and showers and some cannot. 

In case of irrigation, the pump should work with long pipelines and changes in elevation. 

As a rule of thumb, always estimate your total head requirement (vertical lift and friction losses in pipes) to prevent problems in the future.

4. Power Source

In the case of submersible pumps, they are often powered by electric motors. However, in other cases, the use might vary:

Single-phase pumps – for homes and light-duty tasks 

Three-phase pumps – for industrial and heavy-duty applications

Solar powered pumps – more applicable for off the grid and sustainable water pumping in remote areas and farms. 

5. Pump Material and Build Quality

Durability and service life of pumps are greatly influenced by the construction materials which are:

Stainless steel – is the best for clean water and long-term use.

Cast iron – is known to be durable and affordable and is good for wastewater.

Plastic or polymer – is lightweight and good for small household tasks.

In case the pump is to be used for dirty or corrosive water, select one that has increased wear and corrosion resist materials.

6. Maintenance and Reliability 

As these pumps are sealed, submersible pumps are less likely to break down and require servicing less often. Nonetheless, always consider the following: 

• Availability of spare parts 

• Warranty coverage 

• Ease of servicing 

Investing in a reliable and reputable supplier such as Pumptastic ensures that the pump purchased will work as intended and perform over the long-term. 

Common Types of Submersible Pumps 

Below are the submersible pumps with their specifications and common uses. 

• Well Pumps – Extract water from underground reservoirs for drinking purposes. 

• Sump Pumps – Pumps for removal of water from basements and other lower-lying areas. 

• Sewage Pumps – Pumps for removal of waste-water and sludge from residential and municipal facilities. 

• Utility Pumps – Pumps for removal of water from swimming pools and tanks, and for other emergency purposes. 

• Irrigation Pumps – Pumps that supply water to crops and fields. 

• Dewatering Pumps – Pumps for the removal of water from construction sites or surplus water from mines. 

Submersible pump tips for beginners to consider 

• Always measure water needs—don’t rely on guess work. 

• Consider the existing house or facility electrical supply (single or three-phase). 

• Consider long term use of the pump—a fixed cost pump often means higher long term maintenance costs. 

• Check reviews and ask professionals—solicit expert and tailored recommendations. 

• Always size up— a small pump will over work and wear down faster.

Final Thoughts  

It no longer has to be a complex problem choosing the best submersible pump to purchase. With considerations such as the type of liquid, the flow rate, the power needed, and the pump's construction, you can select a pump that will give you the best efficiency and the most durability.  

This will translate to a basic sump pump or a well pump for homeowners, an irrigation or drainage pump for farmers, and slurry or dewatering pumps for industries and contractors.  

At Pumptastic, we have an extensive selection of quality submersible pumps for residential, agricultural, and industrial use. Be it for flood basement drainage, irrigation of crops, or construction site dewatering, we have the pumps for all your needs.