Well Pump Basics - A Brief Overview

A well pump is a mechanical device that draws water from a borehole or deep well. There are many different types of pumps available in the market today, with the two most common types being deep well pumps and shallow well pumps. Well pumps can be hand-powered, electrical powered or solar powered.

Popular Models of Well Pumps

There are many affordable pumps available in the market available at varying price points. Top brands include Goulds, Wayne, Grundfos, Little Giant, and Liberty pumps.

Well pumps come in different shapes and sizes and are constructed of materials such as cast iron and thermoplastics. There are several factors to consider when choosing a pump for your well, which we will examine in this article.

Before purchasing a pump, you first need to know the depth of your well. Wells that are deeper than 25 feet generally require deep water pumps. Shallow water pumps are limited to wells that are generally less than 25 feet deep. Deep water pumps have a greater pumping capacity than most shallow water pumps.

Shallow Well Pumps

If you require pumps for ground level uses such as irrigation then you require a shallow well pump, also known as shallow water pumps. Shallow well pumps use the principles of siphoning or suction. These pumps have two pipes, one which feeds into the well and the other is the outlet. Shallow water pumps operate by creating vacuum and then using the atmospheric pressure to pump the liquid. Shallow well pumps are either electrically powered or hard-powered.

Shallow water pumps are advantageous in a numbers of ways, they are easy to install and maintain. Hand well pumps cost nothing to operate since they do not require any power source other than manual power. In addition, shallow water pumps require little if any regular maintenance.

Jet pumps are pumps that operate by creating a vacuum in order to bring the water to the surface. Shallow water pumps have the power to pump 35 litres of water per minute.

Deep Well Pumps

Deep well pumps, also known as submersible well pumps, can pump water from depths of more than twenty-five feet. This kind of pump can be appropriate in dry area that has no water system connected. There are reasons that you should opt to buy a deep water pump than connecting to a water network.

Deep water is usually pure and fresh. Many people have agreed that water pumped from deep wells has a good taste compared with water piped from other sources. When you buy deep water pump you should also consider buying storage tanks to maintain a constant supply of water in case of emergency.

Browse our selection of Well Pumps fulfilled by our retail partner Amazon.com:

Flotec FP4012-00L 1/2 HP Shallow Well Pump Jet List Price: $195.99 Sale Price: $146.99 You save: $49.00 (25%) See Reviews For This Product

Description This 1/2 HP, built-in shallow well pump jet from Flotec is ideal for wells with pumping levels of 25 feet or less. Featuring a corrosion-resistant nozzle and venturi, this model offers superior performance at capacities to 10 GPM at 40 PSI... Features Built-in shallow well pump jet ideal for wells with pumping levels of 25-Feet or less Offers superior performance at capacities to 10 GPM at 40 PSI Fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic provides incredible corrosion and sandy water resistance; dust-proof cover protects all electrical components from dust and insects Includes stainless steel shaft, heavy duty ball bearings, balanced rotor, mechanical shaft seal and insulated motor windings Measures 6.0-by-7.0-by-11-Inch (width by height by depth); weighs 26 Pound

Wayne SWS100 1-Horsepower Cast Iron Shallow Well Jet Pump List Price: $302.68 Sale Price: $268.99 You save: $33.69 (11%) See Reviews For This Product

Description Heavy-duty Wayne pump will draw water from 25-ft. depth. Efficient square flange motor is thermally protected to prevent overheating and universally available if replacement is ever required. U.S.A. Flow (GPH): 525, Volts: 115/230, HP: 1, Max... Features Pumps up to 558-Gallon per hour Dual voltage (120-240-Volt) high efficiency square flanged motor is factory wired for 120-Volt. Dedicated priming port for volute filling Durable cast iron volute 3/4-Inch NPT discharge with 1-1/4-Inch discharge

Wayne CWS75 3/4-Horsepower Cast Iron Convertible Well Jet Pump List Price: $284.31 Sale Price: $221.31 You save: $63.00 (22%) See Reviews For This Product

Description Wayne Convertible Well Pump 3/4 Hp 115 Volt, Wired For 230 Volt 1-1/4 Fpt Intake, 3/4 Fpt Discharge Cast Iron Housing Built In Pressure Switch For Wells To 100 900 Gph At 30, 470 Gph At 60, 200 Gph At 100 Head Optional Jet Assemblies: 3-50 Ace No... Features Pumps up to 510-Gallon per hour Dual voltage (120-240-Volt) high efficiency square flanged motor is factory wired for 120-Volt. Dedicated priming port for volute filling Durable cast iron volute 3/4-Inch NPT discharge with 1-1/4-Inch discharge and 1-Inch drive

Little Giant SUB12G05H2W2V Submersible Well Pump, 1/2-HP 12-GPM 2-Wire 230-Volt List Price: $445.00 Sale Price: $263.99 You save: $181.01 (41%) See Reviews For This Product

Description 4" submersible deep well pump. Ideal for use in 4" I.D. or larger wells from depths of 100 feet. Powered by 2-wire, Franklin Electric motor. Hex rubber bearing with extra large surface assures shaft stability and multiple flow channels keep small particles such as sand away from bearing surfaces... Features Ideal for 4-inch I.D. or larger wells Designed for residential or agricultural water systems Built-in check valve, 12 gpms Powered by the Franklin Electric motor, built-in suction screen Good shaft stability and multiple flow channels

Wayne SWS50 1/2 HP 384 GPH Shallow Well Jet Pump, Cast Iron List Price: $253.00 Sale Price: $180.98 You save: $72.02 (28%) See Reviews For This Product

Description The Wayne 1/2 HP 384 GPH shallow well jet pump is designed for wells up to 25 feet deep, with jet pumps housed in rugged cast iron housing. The pump self-primes after its housing is filled with water, and it pumps out 385 gallons per hour at a five-foot lift, or 384 gallons per hour at a 25-foot lift... Features Self-priming 1/2-horsepower shallow well jet pump Use in wells up to 25-feet deep Thermal protection prevents motor overheating Pumps up to 384-gallons per hour at 5-foot lift 3-year limited warranty