Well and borehole pumps are high-pressure submersible pumps designed to lift water from depth and deliver it over height or distance. Their long, narrow design allows them to fit inside wells and boreholes where standard pumps would not ...
Well and borehole pumps are high-pressure submersible pumps designed to lift water from depth and deliver it over height or distance. Their long, narrow design allows them to fit inside wells and boreholes where standard pumps would not be suitable.
Well and borehole pumps are specially designed high-pressure water pumps with a high head (pumping height).
They are typically long and narrow, allowing them to fit into tight spaces such as wells and boreholes, where standard pumps would not be suitable.
The pump’s head height is simply a measure of pressure. It tells us the greatest vertical distance the pump can move water from its source to where it exits.
As a guide, 10 metres of head is roughly equal to 1 bar of pressure
This is one of the most important things to understand when selecting a pump.
Where these pumps are used
As submersible pumps, well and borehole pumps are commonly used for:
They are used wherever water needs to be lifted from depth and delivered under pressure.
Borehole pumps are constructed using corrosion-resistant materials to cope with minerals in soil and groundwater.
Their narrow design allows them to operate in confined spaces, while their internal construction is designed to generate pressure efficiently.
The deeper read: what's in this range, how to pick, and when to talk to us before you buy.
Springs and wells have been used as water sources for thousands of years, often influencing the location of towns and villages.
Places with names containing "Bourne" are linked to springs, derived from the Old English word burna, meaning spring. Examples include Bourneville, Eastbourne and Sittingbourne.
In England and Wales, groundwater sources account for around 33% of water supply, with nearly 2.5 billion cubic metres abstracted annually.
A borehole is a deep, narrow hole drilled into the ground using specialised equipment, typically to access groundwater.
They are drilled to specific diameters, which is why borehole pumps are designed to be long and slim, allowing them to fit within these confined spaces.
As submersible pumps, well and borehole pumps are commonly used for:
They are used wherever water needs to be lifted from depth and delivered under pressure.
Borehole pumps are commonly used for garden, agricultural and commercial irrigation where water needs to be lifted from below ground and delivered under pressure. Unlike a standard drainage pump, a multistage borehole pump is designed to generate the head needed to supply hoses, sprinklers and irrigation networks.
The right pump depends on the depth of the water, the vertical lift, the length and diameter of the pipework, and the total flow and pressure required by the outlets operating at the same time. The pump must also be matched to the sustainable yield of the borehole, so that water is not removed faster than the source can replenish it.
A borehole used only for irrigation is not regulated as a private drinking water supply, although abstraction licensing and other environmental requirements may still apply.
Read our guide to choosing a pump for irrigation in the UK.
A borehole pump can also form part of a private water supply, providing water for drinking, cooking, washing and other domestic purposes. In England, a borehole used in this way may be regulated under the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations, with the requirements depending on whether it serves a single home, several properties or a commercial or public use.
The pump is only one part of the water supply. It must be correctly sized for the borehole depth, water level, required pressure and flow, and should be made from materials suitable for its intended use. However, fitting a pump described as suitable for potable water does not, by itself, make the water safe to drink or make the complete installation compliant.
Water safety depends on the whole system, including the source, borehole headworks, storage, treatment equipment, pipework, maintenance and water-quality testing. For regulatory and water-quality advice, speak to your local authority’s environmental health or private water supplies team.
Stacked Impellers in borehole pumps allow for several impellers to be positioned one on top of another, which significantly increases the head height. Typically, a pump will either provide high flow or high head.
The stacked impellers create high pressure, pushing water out under considerable force. In contrast, regular submersible pumps, which are wider with a single impeller, offer a higher flow rate but less pressure.
Need help figuring out “head” vs flow? Read: Pump Curves Explained: How to Understand Flow Rate and Head.
Well pumps offer a compromise between flow and pressure.
They are generally wider than borehole pumps, which allows for higher flow rates, while still maintaining useful pressure.
A good example is the APP MVH-10 well pump, which is commonly used for:
The MVH has a side outlet and wider body, meaning it is suited to wells and tanks, but not narrow boreholes.
Choosing the right pump comes down to what you actually need it to do.
A simple way to understand the range:
One of the most important factors is the head output, particularly when the pump is positioned several metres below ground.
The deeper the pump, or the further the water needs to travel, the more head is required.
You will generally find that taller pumps provide higher head, as they contain more stacked impellers.
Key Considerations When Selecting a Well or Borehole Pump Include:
Special Features
Divertron
The Divertron is a different type of automatic pump.
It uses integrated electronics to detect when a tap or valve is opened, switching the pump on and off automatically.
This makes it ideal for:
Acuasub Range
The Acuasub range is designed for high-head applications, with capabilities of up to around 100 metres depending on the model.
It is suited to:
Not sure which pump you need?
Start by deciding what matters most: pressure, flow, or a balance of both.
Borehole pumps are designed for pressure. Some models prioritise flow. Others sit in the middle.
If you’re unsure, you’re usually looking for a balanced option.
A borehole pump used solely as part of a private water supply does not normally need to be WRAS approved.
WRAS approval is a voluntary product-approval route used to demonstrate that a water fitting complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and equivalent requirements. Those rules are principally concerned with plumbing systems connected to a public mains water supply.
Private borehole supplies are instead regulated under the Private Water Supplies Regulations. These require products and substances used in preparing or distributing the water not to make it unwholesome or create a potential danger to health. A pump described as suitable for potable water refers to the suitability of its construction and water-contact materials, but it does not certify the water quality or make the complete private supply compliant.
Where a property has both a borehole supply and a public mains supply, the two systems must be designed to prevent cross-connection and contamination of the mains. Suitable separation and backflow protection should be agreed with the relevant water company or a competent installer before the system is connected.
Divertron
The Divertron is a different type of automatic pump.
It uses integrated electronics to detect when a tap or valve is opened, switching the pump on and off automatically.
This makes it ideal for:
Acuasub Range
The Acuasub range is designed for high-head applications, with capabilities of up to around 100 metres depending on the model.
It is suited to:
Start by deciding what matters most: pressure, flow, or a balance of both.
Borehole pumps are designed for pressure. Some models prioritise flow. Others sit in the middle.
If you're unsure, you're usually looking for a balanced option.
