Submersible pumps are the most widely used type of water pump, designed to operate fully submerged in the liquid they are pumping. They are used across residential, commercial and industrial applications for water transfer, drainage, flo...
Submersible pumps are the most widely used type of water pump, designed to operate fully submerged in the liquid they are pumping. They are used across residential, commercial and industrial applications for water transfer, drainage, flood response and wastewater handling. This collection includes clean water, dirty water, high-flow and high-head submersible pumps, all selected based on real-world performance. UK stock, ready for fast dispatch.
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, and ponds and water features.
Different submersible pumps are designed for different duties, so selecting the correct type is critical.
Labelled "max flow" or "free flow" on the datasheet: the flow at zero back pressure
Labelled "max head" or "total head": the maximum height the pump can push water at zero flow
Suction / delivery hose
PVC reinforced, helix coil, smooth bore: max 6 bar working pressure
Vertical rise from pump to outlet. Enter 0 if pumping on flat ground
The deeper read: types, how they work, performance, how to choose, flood use, key benefits, brands we stock, and UK delivery.
Submersible pumps are not a single product type. The term covers a family of pumps that all sit in the water but are built for very different jobs. Choosing the right one starts with the categories below, each of which has its own dedicated collection.
Puddle Pumps. A submersible designed to pump down to as little as 1mm without overheating, for clearing shallow surface water from floors, basements and flat areas. The most popular choice for flood clean-up.
Sump Pumps. A submersible installed in a sump (a collection pit or chamber) so it can switch on automatically and remove water as it gathers. A sump pump describes where the pump sits and how it is used, not a different type of machine.
Sewage and Dirty Water Pumps. Built with vortex, cutter or grinder designs to pass solids and foul water that would block a clean-water pump. Used for below-ground bathrooms, foul drainage and wastewater transfer.
Dewatering and Site Drainage Pumps. Heavy-duty contractor submersibles for trenches, excavations and construction sites, built for continuous duty in dirty, silty water.
High Flow Pumps use larger impellers to move big volumes quickly for flooding over large areas, while High Head Pumps stack impellers to push water higher or further under pressure.
Well and Borehole Pumps. Slim, high-head submersibles that lift water from depth for private supply, irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
If the pump must sit out of the water instead, see surface pumps. For a permanent, ready-to-install kit that combines a chamber and pump, see packaged pump stations.
To choose a pump by job rather than by type, see our drainage pumps guide.
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:
Because the pump is already submerged, it does not need to prime and can begin pumping immediately.
Submersible pumps are rated based on two key performance factors:
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?
Manual or automatic operation?
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.
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.
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.
A submersible pump sits directly in the water and pushes water out rather than drawing it in. A sealed electric motor drives an impeller inside a watertight housing: low pressure at the inlet draws water in and high pressure at the outlet pushes it away. Because the pump is already submerged it does not need priming, so it begins moving water immediately, which makes it more efficient and reliable than a surface-mounted pump in most situations.
Submersible pumps vary by application, liquid type and performance. Puddle pumps clear shallow surface water down to about 1mm. Sump pumps sit in a chamber and switch on automatically. Sewage and dirty water pumps handle solids and foul water, while dewatering pumps are built for site drainage and construction. High flow pumps move large volumes quickly and high head pumps push water over greater distances or heights. Choosing the correct type for your duty is critical.
Consider what you are pumping, as clean water, dirty water, sewage and chemicals each need a different design. Then work out how much water you need to move (the flow rate) and how far it must travel, both vertically and horizontally. Check the power supply available, 110V for site use, 230V for standard supply or 3-phase for industrial duties, and decide between manual operation or an automatic pump that uses a float switch to start as water rises. Use the performance calculator on this page to size flow and head, or call 0115 987 0358 for help.
Flow rate, measured in litres per minute or m³/hr, is how much water the pump can move. Head height, measured in metres, is how high or far it can push that water. The two are linked: as head increases, the flow rate decreases, so a pump should be sized using both together on its performance curve. The calculator on this page helps you work out the head for your installation.
Yes. Submersible pumps are one of the most effective tools for flood response, being quick to deploy, reliable and able to move large volumes of water. They can also be installed permanently as part of a flood resilience system, with automatic pumps that activate when water levels rise. To remove the last shallow water after flooding, see our Puddle Pumps; for permanent below-ground installations, see Packaged Pump Stations.
