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Dirty Water Pumps

A dirty water pump is a submersible pump built to move water that carries silt, sand, grit or small soft solids, the kind of water you get on construction sites, in flooded excavations, trenches, yards and drainage chambers. Where a clea...

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21 products
Tsurumi Pumps 5.0

Tsurumi LB480 Contractor Pump – Manual & Automatic

  • Compact 0.48kW contractor pump, ideal for site drainage and confined-space dewatering
  • Lightest in the LB range at just 10.4kg, easy to carry and reposition around site
  • Available in Manual or Automatic (pendant float or sensor) versions
  • Top-discharge cooling allows running for extended periods with little or no water
  • Pumps up to 225 L/min to 11m head
£519.00 £432.50 (Exc VAT)
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Tsurumi Pumps 5.0

Tsurumi OM5 Submersible Sump Pump

  • Manual and auto models available
  • Narrow float switch on auto model
  • Perfect for narrow sumps and chambers
£429.00 £357.50 (Exc VAT)
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Tsurumi Pumps

Tsurumi LB1500 Contractor Pump – Heavy Duty Manual

  • Powerful 1.5kW contractor pump with the highest flow and head in the LB range
  • Moves up to 420 L/min to 17.5m head for larger-volume site drainage
  • Manual operation with a fixed vertical discharge for maximum strength
  • Built for tough, high-demand dewatering on construction and flood sites
£2,935.00 £2,445.83 (Exc VAT)
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Tsurumi Pumps

Tsurumi LB800 Contractor Pump – Manual & Automatic

  • Heavy-duty 0.75kW (800W) contractor pump for demanding site drainage
  • Higher output than the LB480, up to 310 L/min and 15m head
  • Available in Manual or Automatic (pendant float or sensor) versions
  • Top-discharge design runs reliably for extended periods with little or no water
  • Compact and portable at 13kg, with selectable horizontal or vertical discharge
£815.00 £679.17 (Exc VAT)
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Tsurumi Pumps

DryMax Diesel Powered Water Trash Pump

  • Automatic priming diaphragm pump
  • Perfect for pumping site sludge, mud, sewage, sand and solids up to 40mm
  • Can run dry indefinitely
£6,825.00 £5,687.50 (Exc VAT)
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Tsurumi Pumps

Tsurumi TD Petrol Diaphragm Trash Pump

  • Suitable for trash, sand, silts and solids up to 30mm
  • OHV Honda petrol powered automatic priming diaphragm pump
  • Can run dry for short periods
£2,185.00 £1,820.83 (Exc VAT)
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Dirty water, explained

Pumps for silty, sandy and solids-laden water.

What "dirty water" actually means

In pump engineering, "dirty water" is sometimes used to mean foul water or sewage. But to most people, dirty water simply means water that is not clean: flood water, muddy or silty water, water pumped out of foundations, excavations, ponds or yards. This collection covers that everyday meaning, water carrying silt, sand, grit and small soft solids, but not foul sewage. If you need to pump foul water or sewage with large solids, see our sewage pumps. If you are dealing with rainwater flooding outdoors, see our surface water pumps.

So a dirty water pump sits between the ranges either side of it. If your water is essentially clean, a standard submersible or puddle pump is enough. If you are pumping foul water and sewage with large solids, you need a sewage pump with a grinder or large vortex impeller. Dirty water pumps cover everything in between.

How to choose a dirty water pump

Three things decide it:

  • How dirty is the water? Check the free passage (the largest solid the pump can pass) and the impeller type. Sandy and silty water needs abrasion-resistant materials; lightly soiled water is less demanding.
  • How much water, and how far? Match the flow rate (litres per minute) and head (metres) to the job, using the figures on each product.
  • What power is available? 110V for construction sites, 230V for domestic and general use, three-phase for the largest models.

What we stock

From compact drainage pumps for yards and basements through to heavy-duty contractor pumps with agitators for the dirtiest site water, including Tsurumi (HS, LB, HSD and drainage ranges), EVAK (Trenchman, Drainox, Agivort), APP (HD-15, KHL), and our Mizar and Semisom stainless models. All held in UK stock for next working day delivery.

Not sure which fits? Use the Pump Finder or call our engineers on 0115 987 0358.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions.

What is a dirty water pump?

A submersible pump designed to move water carrying silt, sand, grit or small soft solids, using a vortex or semi-vortex impeller and a wider free passage so solids pass through without clogging. Used for site drainage, dewatering, flooded excavations and drainage chambers.

Does "dirty water" mean sewage?

Not usually. In pump engineering "dirty water" can imply foul water, but most people use it to mean any water that is not clean, such as flood water, muddy water or water from foundations. This collection covers that everyday meaning. For foul water and sewage, see our sewage pumps.

What is the difference between a dirty water pump and a sewage pump?

A dirty water pump handles silty, sandy or muddy non-foul water with small soft solids. A sewage pump handles foul water with large solids and usually has a grinder, cutter or large vortex impeller. If you are pumping sewage or foul drainage, see our sewage pumps.

Can a dirty water pump handle sand and silt?

Yes, that is what they are built for, though for heavily sand-laden water choose a model with abrasion-resistant materials (Hytrel or urethane impeller, agitator), such as the EVAK Trenchman or Tsurumi HSD.

What size solids can they pass?

It varies by model, typically from a few millimetres up to around 30 to 40mm. Check the free passage figure on each product.

110V or 230V?

110V for UK construction sites, 230V for domestic and general use. Larger models are available in three-phase.