When to Use Progressive Cavity Pumps for Deep Bores in Australia

Getting bore water right in Australia isn’t just about drilling a hole and hoping for the best. When your bore runs deep, produces variable yield, or carries sediment, a standard centrifugal submersible pump often won’t cut it. This is where a progressive cavity pump becomes the smarter, more resilient choice.

This guide breaks down when and why progressive cavity pumps outperform regular bore pumps, how they relate to bore pump sizing Australia, and how to decide what size bore pump do I need based on real-world Australian conditions.

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Why Deep Bores in Australia Often Demand a Different Approach

Many Australian bores run deeper than 50–100 metres, especially in regional areas where aquifers sit far below ground. Deeper bores tend to have:

• Lower or inconsistent bore depth flow rate
  
  

• Higher risk of silt, iron bacteria, or fine sediment
  
  

• Larger draw-down when pumping
  
  

• Higher required bore water pressure to push water to surface and distribution points
  
  

Standard centrifugal submersible pumps rely on high rotational speed and clean, consistent flow. That’s not what deep, unpredictable Australian bores deliver. A progressive cavity pump handles these conditions with far less stress and far more efficiency.

What a Progressive Cavity Pump Actually Does

A progressive cavity water pump works by using a helical rotor turning inside a rubber stator. This design creates sealed cavities that move water at a constant rate regardless of pressure changes or inconsistencies in the incoming flow.

In deep bores, this means:

• A steady, predictable flow even when water level fluctuates
  
  

• Strong resistance to sand, silt, and bore impurities
  
  

• Lower mechanical stress compared to high-speed centrifugal pumps
  
  

• Better water lifting capacity at higher head pressures
  
  

If your bore produces 10–40 L/min at high depth, a cavity pump delivers far better efficiency than a typical submersible.

When to Use Progressive Cavity Pumps for Deep Bores

1. Your Bore Has Low or Variable Yield

If your bore depth flow rate fluctuates significantly, a centrifugal pump will surge, stall, or run dry.
Progressive cavity pumps thrive on variable feed and maintain consistent performance.

2. Your Bore Is Very Deep (Over 60–100 metres)

Higher depth means more head. Progressive cavity pumps excel at producing strong bore water pressure at high lift, without requiring oversized motors.

3. Your Water Contains Sediment or Iron Bacteria

Deep bores in WA, SA, QLD, and regional NSW frequently carry silt or mineral load.
A cavity pump’s slower operating speed reduces wear and avoids clogging.

4. You Need Accurate Control Over Flow Rate

For drip irrigation, livestock operations, tank filling, or low-yield aquifers, a progressive cavity pump offers tight control unmatched by centrifugal systems.

5. Your System Demands Higher Efficiency at High Head

When checking a bore pump size chart, you’ll notice centrifugal curves fall sharply at high head.
Progressive cavity pumps maintain flow even when your bore water pressure requirements are high.

How Bore Pump Sizing Works for Progressive Cavity Pumps

Most Australians underestimate the importance of correct bore pump sizing Australia. A progressive cavity pump still requires proper calculations:

Step 1: Determine demand

How many litres per minute do you actually need?
Tank fill? Household? Irrigation? Stock?

Step 2: Calculate bore depth

Use:

• Bore depth
  
  

• Static water level
  
  

• Dynamic level under pumping
  
  

This tells you the real lift required.

Step 3: Identify total head

Total head must include:

• Vertical lift
  
  

• Friction losses
  
  

• Required outlet pressure
  
  

This step is where many people miscalculate and end up asking what size bore pump do I need after buying the wrong one.

Step 4: Plot against a bore pump size chart

Instead of matching centrifugal curves, you’ll map flow rate requirements to cavity pump displacement and RPM ranges. Results are more predictable and linear.

Step 5: Follow a bore pump horsepower guide

Cavity pumps don’t need oversized motors, but they must have enough torque.
Torque matters more than raw horsepower.

Step 6: Apply the Australian bore pump guide principles

Local factors matter: salinity, sediment, remote access, seasonal water table shifts, and power supply variations.

Advantages of Progressive Cavity Pumps for Australian Deep Bores

• Handles low yield and high head simultaneously
  
  

• Lower energy use at deep lifts
  
  

• Far greater durability in mineral-rich groundwater
  
  

• Predictable flow for tank level control systems
  
  

• Reliable performance in remote or off-grid setups
  
  

• Less mechanical wear due to slower rotational speed
  
  

When you compare progressive cavity pumps with standard submersible pumps, the difference becomes obvious the deeper and more challenging your bore is.

Common Questions Aussies Ask About Cavity Pumps

1. How do I know if my bore is deep enough to justify a progressive cavity pump?

If your pumping depth exceeds 60–80 metres or if your dynamic level drops sharply under pumping, consider a cavity pump.

2. Is a cavity pump better when my bore yield is low?

Yes. Progressive cavity pumps maintain flow even when the bore produces limited water.

3. What if my bore water contains fine sediment?

Cavity pumps are built for sediment-prone bores. Their slower speed reduces wear dramatically.

4. Do progressive cavity pumps cost more to run?

No. Many use less energy at high head, making them more efficient in deep bores.

5. Can a cavity pump support household pressure systems?

Yes. When paired with appropriate controls, they maintain stable bore water pressure for household and irrigation use.