Jet Pump vs Bore Pump for Aussie Bore Water: How to Size, Pick and Optimise Your Setup

If you’re a property owner in Australia looking to tap into bore water, the question “what size bore pump do I need” isn’t just academic it’s critical. Get the sizing and pump type wrong and you’ll either under-perform or waste money. In this article you’ll learn about bore pump sizing, how to size a bore pump correctly, reference a bore pump size chart, check your bore depth flow rate, understand bore water pressure, consider progressive cavity water pump options, and follow an Australian bore pump guide for jet pump vs bore (submersible) pump decisions.

Why proper bore pump sizing matters

When you’re dealing with a bore on an Aussie property, you must match three main things: the flow rate you need, the head/pressure you must overcome, and the bore conditions (depth, casing diameter, yield). If you ignore any one of these you risk: not getting enough water; cavitation; damage to your bore or pump; or going way over budget.

Jet pump vs bore pump (submersible) what’s the difference?

A jet pump (surface-mounted) works by suction and pressure from above-ground. It can be a viable option when your bore is shallow and the vertical lift (head) is minimal. In contrast, a bore or submersible pump (installed down the borehole) is pushed up from under the water, better for deep bores or large lifts.

In Australia, terrain is varied and bores may go tens of metres deep. If your static water level is deep, or the water table drops significantly when pumping, a surface/jet pump may struggle. A submersible bore pump is almost always the safer pick when the head is high, bore depth large or casing diameter tight.

Step-by-step: How to size a bore pump

Here’s how you do it for an Australian property:

1. Estimate your required flow rate.
   Decide litres per minute (L/min) or litres per hour (L/hr) you will need. For example: household + irrigation + stock water.
   Australian advice: determine your daily & peak use.
   
   

2. Measure bore depth and water levels.
   
   

• Static water level (depth of water when the pump is off)
  
  

• Dynamic/pumping level (depth while the pump is running)
  The draw-down (difference) indicates how much the water level drops and thus increases head requirements
  
  

3. Calculate total head / bore water pressure.
   Total head = vertical lift (from pump to outlet) + friction losses in pipe + any required discharge pressure. Use metres of head rather than just metres depth. Some guides say you need to convert from kPa or psi to metres.
   For example, if your bore pump needs to push water 20 m vertically and your pipe losses add another 5 m, you’re sizing for 25 m head.
   
   

4. Check your bore diameter and casing size.
   The internal diameter of your bore casing limits the maximum pump size. If you cram too large a pump into a small bore you risk damage. Also the yield of the bore: if your bore produces only 30 L/min, putting in a pump rated for 60 L/min will harm both.
   
   

5. Use a bore pump size chart or horsepower guide.
   Once you know flow and head, consult manufacturer pump curves or a size chart. For example: if you need 80 L/min at 40 m head, pick a pump that meets or slightly exceeds that. Also check the horsepower/motor size so you’re not oversizing (wasteful) or undersizing (ineffective).
   
   

6. Choose pump type: Jet vs Submersible vs Progression-type (e.g., progressive cavity water pump).
   If your bore is shallow and lift small, a jet pump (surface) may work. If deep and lift high, go submersible. In more challenging bores (variable yield, sandy water, irregular flows) consider a progressive cavity water pump, which is designed for tougher conditions.
   
   

Jet Pump: Pros & Cons for Australian situations

Pros: Easier maintenance (since above ground), simpler access, usually lower cost upfront if conditions are favourable.
Cons: Limited suction lift (practical limit ~6-7 m suction lift before efficiency drops); not ideal when bore depth large or head high; more vulnerable to cavitation or loss of flow when water table drops.

Submersible Bore Pump: Pros & Cons

Pros: Ideal for deeper bores; pump sits down in the water, so no suction lift issues; handles high head and long delivery runs better; more stable flow when matched correctly.
Cons: Higher installation cost; harder/expensive to retrieve for maintenance if deep; need proper specification for Australian conditions (e.g., casing size, salt content, remote properties) 

Common questions from Australian property owners

1. How do I know what size bore pump I need for my rural property?
   You need to calculate your required flow rate (L/min or L/hr), determine your head (vertical + friction + pressure), and check your bore‐casing and yield. Then consult a size chart that meets those figures.
   
   

2. Can I use a surface jet pump if my bore is deep?
   Possibly, but only if the suction lift is minimal and water table remains high under load. If water level falls significantly or depth is large, a jet pump will struggle – you’re better off with a submersible system.
   
   

3. What role does bore depth play in sizing the pump?
   Depth affects how far you must lift water (head), how far the draw-down can be, and what size pump fits the casing. A deep bore often means higher head and thus a larger/more capable pump system.
   
   

4. How much horsepower do I need for a bore pump in Australia?
   HP (or kW) depends on your flow rate and head. Once you’ve calculated those, refer to manufacturer curves and charts. Oversizing wastes energy and undersizing means you don’t meet demand.
   
   

5. What is a progressive cavity water pump and when does it make sense?
   A progressive cavity (PC) water pump uses a rotor and stator to deliver constant flow, even under variable loads or conditions (e.g., bore with sand/silt or irregular yield). For properties with challenging bores or large pressure/lift demands, a PC pump may perform better than a standard centrifugal model.
   
   

Australian-specific considerations

• Know your property’s full water demand: domestic use, irrigation, stock, peaks in summer. Australian climate and remote/rural conditions often mean you need higher safety margin.
  
  

• Because rural power in Australia can be weak or distant, consider power supply and pump motor compatibility (single vs three-phase).
  
  

• For bores in remote or rugged areas, durability matters corrosion, salt content, sand intrusion are real risks. Go for proven models with Australian service support.
  
  

• Always protect your bore: reliable yield, controls to stop pump running dry, low level sensors etc. If you install a pump too big for the bore yield, you’ll damage both.
  
  

Summary: Picking the right pump size and type

• Use your flow requirement + head calculation + bore/casing yield to pick pump size.
  
  

• Use a bore pump size chart or horsepower guide to map that to a specific pump.
  
  

• If bore is shallow, low head → jet pump may work. If deep, high head, or large flows → submersible or progressive cavity pump.
  
  

• Don't oversize drastically to “future-proof” without reason there will be efficiency loss. Choose a margin of maybe 10-20% but avoid huge oversizing.
  
  

• Work with a reputable Australian supplier/installer who understands your region’s bore conditions and can match everything correctly (yield, draw-down, depth, water quality, motor supply).
  
  

If you’d like a fully custom sizing worksheet or help refining the numbers for your property, we at Pumptastic can help evaluate and recommend exactly what you need. Contact us to get started.