Submersible Well Pumps

What is a submersible well pump, and how is it used?

A submersible well pump is physically placed inside the well casing, in contrast to the jet well pump, which is placed outside of the well itself. A submerged well pump pushes the water up from the aquifer, providing a distinct advantage over the jet pump that pulls the water up via suction.

A submersible well pump is in the form of a long cylinder shaped housing, which can fit easily inside of the well casing.

The submersible well pump consists of two basic parts: a sealed pump motor, and the pump mechanism. The pump motor half connects to the power source above ground, and is controlled electrically through wires. The pump mechanism contains a series of impellers, with each impeller separated by a diffuser, which then propels the water up through the pipes and into the home water system.

Although the increased efficiency of a submersible pump over a jet pump provides a good reason to install it, there is one potential problem to think about. Should there be a failure of the pump, it will be necessary to remove it from the well casing. This is no easy task for a homeowner, and should usually be left to a professional well technician.

Fortunately, submersible pumps are built to last, and often provide reliable service for 20 years or more, without undergoing any repairs or servicing.

Submersible pumps are well suited for use in deep wells, but they can also be used in shallow wells if needed. However, when using in a shallow well, one must be mindful that there is a greater possibility that contaminates such as algae, sand, silt and other particulate could enter the pump and shorten its life.

Submersible well pumps do not run continuously. To provide a consistent level of water pressure to household plumbing fixtures, the pump sends the water to a storage tank, where water is the sent to through the plumbing when it is needed.