Shallow Well Pump

A shallow well pump is most often used for wells where the water level is less than 25 feet from the surface. Its counterpart, the deep well pump, is used necessarily for deeper water levels. Home owners who are examining the requirements for the installation of a shallow pump system should make sure that they have measured the water level correctly. If the groundwater level is deeper than was previously thought, a whole different process will be needed.

These kinds of systems are used almost exclusively in rural areas where there is no access to any kind of city water network. In most cases, the water must be pumped up from the desired well, where it will subsequently be purified so that it can be used for cooking, drinking, and a wide range of other activities.

Jet Pumps 

Shallow systems, at their core, make use of a jet pump that is ultimately placed at the top of the well itself. In nearly all cases, the jet pump feeds into a draw pipe, which, as its name implies, is responsible for siphoning the needed water to the surface. The upper part of the contraption is usually connected to an electric motor that is often installed in a nearby structure. The motor itself drives an impeller, which ultimately creates an atmospheric pressure difference that is great enough to force water up the pipe.

How It Works

The system, in short, works through suction. Just as sucking on a straw in a can of soda pop creates a mini-vacuum that draws the soda up the straw into the mouth, the above-ground components create a pressure difference in the same way. In effect, the weight of the atmosphere is responsible for allowing the water to be drawn. Hence, houses in different elevations might experience slightly different efficiencies with their shallow water pumps.

Most of the major manufacturers make quality products. Gould and Myers are both consistently cited as providing durable products, as are Aermotor and Red Jacket. If people are searching for a very specific kind of device for their well, then they might want to call around to gauge the prices on different products.

Even a company like Jacuzzi, which is known for its hot tubs, makes good pumps. With some research and a bit of assistance from a friend or neighbor who is well-versed in the field, families should get exactly what they need.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance on the pump should of course always be performed. Review the user manual for information on when and how to maintain the pump for optimal performance. Regular examinations of pumps and motors can head off a range of issues that can be expensive to fix later on. If the system itself seems to be behaving funny, a professional pump technician may need to be called in to make sure that everything is running correctly.

Research Before Buying

Families who are looking into pumps should do some research before buying. One of the best places to look is at Amazon.com, an online retailer that carries a wide variety of products from many different manufacturers. Amazon offers detailed descriptions on many of the products, as well as product reviews from people who have actually bought and used the products.

Another way to research is to visit the manufacturer's websites. Many of the brand names mentioned above have web sites that list product descriptions, usage tips, manuals, prices, warranties, and other helpful information.

Ultimately, a shallow well pump and the related accessory items are the cheapest options for people who are looking for a water-lift system. Because they utilize the natural pressure of the atmosphere to draw water, they are not that difficult to understand in concept or design. With proper installation and routine maintenance, they should remain reliable for years.

Browse our selection of Shallow 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: $145.07 You save: $50.92 (26%) 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 SWS50 1/2 HP 384 GPH Shallow Well Jet Pump, Cast Iron List Price: $253.00 Sale Price: $180.44 You save: $72.56 (29%) 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

	Wayne SWS75 3/4-Horsepower Cast Iron Shallow Well Jet Pump List Price: $264.56 Sale Price: $207.99 You save: $56.57 (21%) See Reviews For This Product
	Description 3/4 HP Cast Iron Shallow Well Jet Pump, 3 Year Warranty. Features Pumps up to 468-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

	Little Giant JP5C Shallow Well Jet Pump, Cast Iron, 1/2-HP 12-GPM List Price: $281.00 Sale Price: $179.91 You save: $101.09 (36%) See Reviews For This Product
	Features Ideal for use in pumping at depths of 25-Feet or less Corrosion and rust resistant Produces up to 50 PSI with automatic shut-off Voltage selector for simple connection to existing power sources Extremely versatile

	Wel-Bilt Shallow Well Pump - 1 HP, Model# JGP12001CHT List Price: $199.99 Sale Price: $169.99 You save: $30.00 (15%) See Reviews For This Product
	Description The Wel-Bilt 1 HP Shallow Well Jet Pump is highly reliable and capable of maintaining a water supply equal to conventional tanks twice its size. Flow (GPH): 898, Volts: 120, HP: 1, Amps: 10, Max. Total Head (ft... Features 4.4 gallon tank Highly reliable Capable of maintaining a water supply equal to conventional tanks twice its size 60Hz single-phase motor 1 HP