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 clean-water pump would clog or wear out, a dirty water pump uses a vortex or semi-vortex impeller and a wider free passage to pass the solids through without blocking.
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.
Three things decide it:
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 UK-based team on 0115 987 0358.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It varies by model, typically from a few millimetres up to around 30 to 40mm. Check the free passage figure on each product.
110V for UK construction sites, 230V for domestic and general use. Larger models are available in three-phase.
