Garden Sprinkler Pump Kit for Rivers, Wells & Rainwater Tanks | APP MVH-10A
Built for the job
Garden sprinkler pump kit for rivers, wells, lakes and rainwater tanks
A complete submersible pump kit for running garden sprinklers from clean water in a river, well, tank or water butt.
This FPS Engineered™ kit pairs the APP MVH-10A automatic submersible pump with your choice of 25 m or 30 m of 19 mm bore hose and the fittings to connect it. The pump sits in the water and runs whenever it is submerged, giving a steady, continuous supply that is ideal for sprinklers.
Part of our wider well and borehole pump range.
Because the MVH-10A is controlled by water level, not pressure, it does not start and stop with demand, so it will not cycle the way a pressure pump can on an oscillating sprinkler. That makes it our first choice for sprinkler duty.
Sprinkler not included, so you can choose the sprinkler or fitting that suits your garden.
If used with a spray gun, the gun must be left "open" whilst ever the pump is running. The pump will not switch off if the gun is closed, and the pump will burn out.
Do you need an abstraction licence?
In England, you are likely to need an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency if you intend to take more than 20 cubic metres, or 20,000 litres, in a day from a river, stream, lake, pond, canal, reservoir, spring or underground source.
Smaller abstractions are often exempt, but exemptions have narrowed in recent years, so do not assume, and other permissions may still apply. Always confirm that you have the landowner's permission and that abstraction is lawful and environmentally appropriate for the source. You can check whether you need a licence on GOV.UK.
At a glance
- Designed for continuous-flow sprinklers or irrigation: Level-controlled operation avoids demand-based cycling.
- Strong pump performance: Up to 110 L/min and 32 m maximum head.
- 19 mm hose: Less restrictive than standard 12.5 mm garden hose.
- Float-controlled low-water shut-off: Stops automatically as the surrounding water level falls.
-
Hozelock-ready outlet: Connects directly to compatible sprinklers and garden watering accessories.
What's included
- 1 × APP MVH-10A automatic submersible pump
- 1 × 1" BSP male × ¾" BSP male reducing nipple
- 2 × 19 mm hose tail × ¾" BSP female swivel, straight
- 1 × 19 mm hose tail × ¾" BSP female swivel, 90° elbow
- 1 × Hozelock 2170, ¾" BSP male to female Quick Connect adaptor
- 2 × stainless-steel hose clips
Sprinkler not included. The supplied Hozelock adaptor provides a female Quick Connect outlet. Check that your chosen sprinkler has a compatible connector.
Pump connections
The MVH-10A has a 25 mm (1 inch) screw thread BSP outlet. The supplied 25 mm to 19 mm reducing nipple steps this down to 19 mm, and one of the two hose tails then screws on to suit how you want the hose to leave the pump:
- Horizontal outlet: use the straight 19 mm female BSP hose tail so the hose leaves the pump horizontally.
- Vertical outlet: use the 19 mm female BSP elbow hose tail where it is better for the hose to rise vertically.
The 19 mm hose is pushed fully over the ribbed hose tail and secured with the supplied stainless-steel clip.
Choose your hose
Both hoses are 19 mm bore and rated suitably for the pressure, so either suits the job. The choice comes down to reach and handling.
30 m braided hose: The practical choice for everyday domestic garden watering. Lighter and more flexible, it is easier to handle, coil and route around borders, paths and obstacles, while providing an extra 5 metres of reach with only a modest reduction in estimated flow.
25 m high-pressure hose: The tougher, harder-wearing option for frequent use, commercial applications and grounds maintenance. Its heavy-duty construction offers greater resistance to pressure, abrasion and general wear, while the shorter run provides a slightly higher estimated flow.
How it works
The MVH-10A is controlled by a float switch. It runs while it is submerged and switches off automatically if the surrounding water level drops. It responds to water level, not to pressure or to a tap being opened or closed, so it gives a steady, continuous flow while running. Power it from a suitable protected 230 V supply.
Important: water must discharge continuously
The pump does not stop when the outlet is closed.
The pump runs when it is powered and the surrounding water raises the float switch. As the water level falls, the float drops and switches the pump off automatically.
Do not run it against a closed valve, closed nozzle or blocked outlet. If you fit a trigger spray gun, keep it locked open, and switch the pump off at its plug before closing the outlet or disconnecting equipment.
Because it runs steadily rather than starting and stopping with demand, the MVH-10A suits oscillating, rotating and static sprinklers, open-ended irrigation and continuous watering.
Where you instead want on-demand operation from a trigger spray gun, a pressure-controlled pump such as the DAB Divertron is the better choice.
Expected performance
Estimated flow with the hose open and no sprinkler or nozzle fitted. Actual performance varies with hose length, elevation and the sprinkler fitted.
| 19 mm hose | Uphill elevation | Estimated unrestricted flow |
|---|---|---|
| 25 m | 2 m | Approx. 52 L/min |
| 25 m | 5 m | Approx. 48 L/min |
| 30 m | 2 m | Approx. 49 L/min |
| 30 m | 5 m | Approx. 45 L/min |
Estimated using the published MVH-10A curve and Hazen-Williams friction. Figures show estimated flow with the hose discharging freely and no sprinkler fitted. Connecting a sprinkler will reduce the flow and create working pressure at the hose end. Actual performance depends on the sprinkler’s flow requirement, hose length, elevation and fittings.
Technical specification
| Specification | APP MVH-10A |
|---|---|
| Operation | Automatic float switch (level-controlled) |
| Pump type | Submersible clean-water well and irrigation pump |
| Outlet | 25 mm (1 inch) |
| Motor power | 0.55 kW |
| Voltage | 230 V single phase |
| Maximum flow | 110 litres per minute |
| Maximum head | 32 metres |
| Maximum submersion depth | 8 metres |
| Water temperature | 0°C to 40°C |
| Power cable | 10 metres with plug |
| Dimensions | 162 × 171 × 461 mm |
| Weight | 9.3 kg |
Installation and water quality
- Install in clean water, fully submerged with at least 50 mm of water above the pump for cooling.
- Keep the pump clear of the bed to avoid drawing in mud, silt or gravel, and give the float switch room to move freely.
- Never lift, lower or suspend the pump by its electrical cable.
- Provide suitable electrical protection and keep plugs and connections dry.
- Minimum clear well or chamber width: approximately 435 mm, to allow the float switch to operate freely.
Clean water only. Water containing sand, silt or abrasive material can damage the pump and invalidate the warranty. This kit is not for sewage, dirty or salt water, or for permanent pond circulation, filtration, fountains or aeration.
Using untreated water safely
This kit moves water. It does not treat, filter or disinfect it.
Water taken from rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wells, tanks and water butts is not drinking water. It can contain bacteria, viruses, chemicals, agricultural run-off, algae or other contaminants even when it looks clear. Do not use this pump to supply water for drinking, food preparation or filling drinking-water systems, and assess whether a source is suitable for your intended use before you draw from it.
Before pumping from a river, lake or stream
Owning the pump does not itself give you the right to take water from a natural source. You may need the permission of the landowner, riparian owner or waterbody operator, and environmental or abstraction restrictions may apply. During dry weather or drought, additional restrictions may be introduced to protect flows, habitats and other water users.
Read our guide: Can I pump water from a river or stream?
Frequently asked questions
Is water from this pump safe to drink?
No. The kit moves water but does not treat, filter or disinfect it. Water from rivers, ponds, wells, tanks and water butts is not drinking water and can contain bacteria, chemicals or algae even when it looks clear. Do not use it for drinking, food preparation or filling drinking-water systems.
Does the pump start and stop automatically?
It is controlled by water level, not by demand. It runs whenever it is submerged and switches off automatically if the water level falls below the float switch. It does not start or stop when you open or close a tap or nozzle, so the outlet must stay open while it runs.
Will it run an oscillating sprinkler?
It is well suited to continuous-flow sprinkler duty because it does not switch on and off in response to sprinkler demand. Actual coverage and performance will still depend on the flow and pressure required by the particular sprinkler.
Can I use it with a trigger spray gun?
Only if the gun is kept locked open, because the pump will not stop when you release the trigger. For frequent on and off spray-gun use, a pressure-controlled pump such as the DAB Divertron is more suitable.
What water can it pump?
Clean water only, from wells, rainwater tanks, cisterns, rivers, lakes and water butts. It is not for sandy, silty, dirty or salt water, sewage, ponds or water features.
