What Water Pump Do I Need? 5 Essential Considerations

Unsure about how to choose the right water pump? There are a lot of types of pumps out there because there are so many different functions that a water pump can be used for. Pump options range from high-pressure diesel powered water pumps which are often used in commercial agriculture, to small electric pumps for home aquariums, kitchen gardens, and rain water tanks.

It is important to use the most suitable one to minimise future repair costs and to ensure that your pump lasts as long as possible. Finding the right water pump depends on several factors that are related to the purpose that you will require your pump to perform, including water flow, pressure, the actual type of the pump that you need and the control type.

Whether you are looking for a water pump to move water for the toilet, dishwasher, washing machine, rainwater reuse system, basement or pond drainage, or any other home or commercial function, here are the primary considerations to keep in mind to determine exactly what water pump you need.

Water Flow

When shopping around for water pumps, make sure you get an adequate GPM Discharge Capacity. The GPM represents how quickly water moves through the pump, from the source to the discharge point. It is measured in litres per minute. For example, a lawn hose requires 20 litres per minutes, a standard shower head, between 10 and 15.

An entire household would require enough discharge capacity for water to flow to multiple outlets at once, such as the shower, the dishwasher, and the toilet, which could mean a range of 30 to 90 litres for a medium to large home.

Water Pressure

You’ll also want to consider how much pressure you’ll need to get the performance that you are looking for. Pressure is measured in psi. For a normal, domestic water pump, you’d probably require anywhere from 40 to 70 psi.

Water pressure will be impacted by how far you need your water to travel as well as the height difference between one point and another. For example, is the water going to have to be suctioned up, such as when draining a pond or a basement? The power source for your pump also affects the pressure that you’ll need, such as electric or petrol. Also, the type of water influences pressure – if the water contains debris, you may need a stronger trash pump.

Type of Pump

What you need your pump for will determine what type of water pump you should use and what it will be made out of, such as stainless steel or cast iron.

• Jet pumps work well for suctioning water upwards.
• Transfer pumps can be used for draining debris-free water like hot tubs or garden ponds.
• Semi-solid pumps can handle some debris and work for getting water out of your basement.
• Trash pumps are suitable for draining small flooded areas and construction sites.
• Electric pumps are perfect for small, indoor functions like rain water systems and garden irrigation.
• Multistage pumps are best suited for uses close to living areas as they tend to be very quiet.
• High quality engine driven petrol pumps are best for firefighting.
• To pump agricultural or industrial chemicals, a chemical transfer pump is required.

Control Type

You also want to keep in mind how your pump is controlled. Two primary options include press control, in which an automatic control system switches the pump on and off when a flow of water is detected, and the pressure switch. With the pressure switch, changes in the pressure cause the pump to turn on or off.

Energy Usage

With a pump for household usage, each time you turn on your tap or flush the toilet, energy has to be used to power the pump. Getting a pump that is larger than you need can lead to wasted energy. You want to keep energy usage in mind and avoid getting the most powerful option. Using a pressure tank, a gravity feed system, or a header tank system can also help to reduce how much energy your pump requires.

For all your water pump needs, contact the team at Able Sales to find out how we can help.