Borehole pumps are commonly used for irrigation, from watering gardens and lawns through to larger-scale agricultural and commercial applications. If you're looking for an irrigation pump, our Irrigation Pumps collection includes a simple pump finder that starts with a straightforward question: What are you watering? From garden sprinklers and hoses to larger irrigation systems, it helps narrow down the most suitable pump for your application.
First, the size of the hole
Measure the internal diameter of your borehole or well before anything else. Borehole pumps are long and slim to fit a narrow drilled hole, and each is built for a minimum diameter. The most common in the UK is 4 inch, with 5 inch pumps used for larger agricultural and commercial duties.
A pump that is too wide will not fit, and one fitted too tightly will not have water flowing freely around it to keep it cool. Ordering on flow and price before checking the diameter is the most common mistake we see, so measure first.
A well differs from a borehole here. Wells are usually wider, taking a wider-bodied pump that delivers higher flow. Boreholes are narrow, taking a slim, high-pressure pump. That difference, narrow and high-pressure against wide and high-flow, is the real distinction between a borehole pump and a well pump.
Next, the height the water has to travel
This is usually the most important figure, and it is known as head. To work out the head you need, add the depth from the pump up to ground level, the height or distance the water then travels to the point of use, and the pressure you want delivered there. As a guide, 10 metres of head is roughly 1 bar of pressure.
Borehole pumps achieve high head using stacked impellers (the impeller is the spinning part that moves the water, and several are arranged in series so each adds pressure). This is why taller pumps generally deliver higher head. For a fuller explanation, see Pump Curves Explained, and our Water Pump Performance Calculator works the figures out for you.
Then, the flow you need
Flow is how much water the pump delivers, measured in litres per minute. Match it to your actual demand rather than buying the highest figure. Every pump trades flow against head: at higher pressure it delivers less water, at lower pressure more. Aim for your operating point to sit in the middle of a pump's range, where it runs most efficiently and reliably.
If you're unsure how to interpret a pump's performance graph, you can read our guide on How to Read a Pump Curve. Understanding pump curves is one of the most important parts of selecting the right pump, as it shows the relationship between flow rate and head, helping you identify where a pump will operate in the real world.
The power supply
Well and borehole pumps run on 230V, the standard UK domestic supply. They are not made in 110V, which lacks the power to drive the stacked impellers and produce the high head these pumps are built for. Confirm you have a suitable 230V supply at the installation point.
Automatic or manual?
Decide how the pump should switch on and off.
A float switch is the traditional automatic method, but it needs room to move, which a narrow borehole often lacks.
An intelligent pump such as the Divertron avoids this with built-in electronics that start and stop the pump when a tap or valve is opened, with no float and no separate controller, making it well suited to irrigation and general outdoor supply.
Matching the range to the job
| What you need | A good starting point |
|---|---|
| General wells, tanks and sprinklers (wider body) | APP MVH-10 well pump |
| Entry-level borehole, smaller installations | Umbra Pompe Eurojet |
| Automatic supply for taps, hoses and irrigation | Divertron (electronic start and stop) |
| Deep wells, long pipe runs, high pressure | Umbra Pompe Acuasub |
| A balance of pressure and flow for most jobs | Umbra Pompe Acuatec |
| Higher volumes through a larger outlet | Umbra Pompe Acuabig |
If you are unsure where you sit, decide what matters most: pressure, flow, or a balance of both.
Protect it from running dry
A borehole pump relies on the surrounding water to stay cool. If the water level drops below the pump, the motor overheats and can fail within minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What size borehole pump do I need?
Start with the internal diameter of the hole, which sets the maximum pump width. Then work out the head (depth to ground level, plus delivery height, plus the pressure you want) and the flow you need in litres per minute. Choose a pump whose operating point sits comfortably in the middle of its range.
What is the difference between a well pump and a borehole pump?
A borehole pump is narrow and built for high pressure, to suit a deep, slim hole. A well pump is wider and gives more flow, suited to wells and tanks but not narrow boreholes.
What size is a standard borehole?
In the UK, 4 inch is most common, with 5 inch used for larger agricultural and commercial duties. Always measure the internal diameter of your own hole before ordering.
Can a borehole pump run on 110V?
No. Well and borehole pumps run on 230V. A 110V supply lacks the power to drive the stacked impellers and produce the high head these pumps are designed for.
What happens if a borehole pump runs dry?
The surrounding water cools the motor, so if the level drops below the pump it overheats and can fail quickly.
