Solar Surface Pumps

Surface Pumps

Surface pumps are less expensive than DC submersibles,where applicable. A surface pump is not submersible. It can draw water from a dug well, spring, pond, river or tank, and push it far uphill and through a long pipeline to fill a storage tank or to pressurize it for home use or for irrigation, livestock, etc.

The pump may be placed at ground level, or suspended in a well in some cases. All pumps are better at pushing than pulling. Surface pumps must be placed no higher than 10 or 20 feet above the surface of the water source at sea level (subtract one foot per 1000 feet elevation).

Suction piping must be oversized a bit and not allow air entrapment (much like a drain line) and should be as short as possible.

Pumps can push very long distances. The vertical lift and flow rates are the primary factors that determine power requirements.