Submersible Water Pumps

Submersible pumps sit directly in the water, allowing them to push water out rather than draw it in. This makes them more efficient, easier to use, and more reliable than surface-mounted alternatives in most situations.

They are used across a wide range of applications, including:

• Site drainage and construction dewatering
  
• Flood water removal
  
• Water transfer between tanks or areas
  
• Wells and boreholes
  
• Wastewater and sewage pumping
  
• Ponds and water features
  

Different submersible pumps are designed for different duties, so selecting the correct type is critical.

Types of Submersible Pumps

Submersible pumps are not a single product type. They vary significantly depending on the application, liquid type and performance required.

Clean Water Submersible Pumps

Used for water with little to no solids, such as tanks, pools, or light flood water.

Dirty Water Submersible Pumps

Designed to handle suspended solids and debris, making them suitable for site drainage and flood conditions.

High Flow Submersible Pumps

Built to move large volumes of water quickly, ideal for flood situations and large areas.

High Head Submersible Pumps

Use stacked impellers to generate higher pressure where water needs to be pumped over longer distances or heights.

Sewage Submersible Pumps

Designed for foul water containing solids and waste. These are used in drainage systems and below-ground installations.

How Submersible Pumps Work

A submersible pump consists of a sealed electric motor connected to an impeller within a watertight housing.

When powered, the motor spins the impeller, creating a pressure difference:

• Low pressure at the inlet draws water into the pump
  
• High pressure at the outlet pushes water away
  

Because the pump is already submerged, it does not need to prime and can begin pumping immediately.

Understanding Performance: Flow Rate and Head

Submersible pumps are rated based on two key performance factors:

• Flow Rate (L/min or m³/hr) – how much water the pump can move
  
• Head Height (m) – how high or far the pump can push water
  

These are linked. As head increases, flow rate decreases.

To size a pump correctly, both must be considered together using a performance curve.

When selecting a submersible pump, consider:

What are you pumping?

Clean water, dirty water, sewage or chemicals all require different pump designs.

How much water needs to be moved?

Flow rate determines how quickly you can clear an area.

How far does the water need to go?

Both vertical height and horizontal distance affect performance.

What power supply is available?

• 110V (site use)
  
• 230V (standard supply)
  
• 3-phase (industrial/high performance)
  

Manual or automatic operation?

• Manual pumps require switching on/off
  
• Automatic pumps use float switches to activate when water rises
  

Learn about automatic pump switches.

Submersible Pumps for Flood Use

Submersible pumps are one of the most effective tools for flood response. They are quick to deploy, reliable, and capable of moving large volumes of water.

They can also be installed permanently as part of a flood resilience system, where automatic pumps activate when water levels rise.

• For removing the last remaining water after flooding, see: Puddle Pumps
• For permanent below-ground systems: Packaged Pump Stations

Key Benefits of Submersible Pumps

• Operate directly in water (no priming required)
  
• Quick to deploy and easy to use
  
• Reliable in flood and drainage conditions
  
• Wide range of types for different applications
  
• Suitable for both temporary and permanent setups
  

Stocked Submersible Pumps from Leading Brands

We supply submersible pumps from trusted manufacturers including:

Tsurumi Pumps, APP Pumps, Stream Pumps and EVAK Pumps.

All pumps are selected based on real-world use in flood and drainage projects, with stock held in the UK for fast dispatch.

Large UK Stock, Ready for Dispatch

We hold significant stock of submersible pumps in our UK warehouse, with next-day delivery available to most areas.

If you are unsure which pump is right, we can help you narrow down the options based on your application.