Irrigation Pumps

How to choose an irrigation pump

Start with the water source. A pump on the bank can draw from a pond, ditch or river if the lift from water level to pump is within its suction limit. Water deep in a well or borehole needs a submersible pump.

Next, work out the pressure you need at the far end. Sprinklers and rain guns need far more head than a hose filling a trough. Every metre of rise and every length of pipe adds to the load. Our guide to head and flow rate explains how to add these up.

Irrigation pumps we stock

Away from mains power, the Koshin SERH runs on a Honda GX160 engine and reaches up to 57 m of head, enough to drive sprinklers, spray guns and rain guns or push water uphill to troughs and header tanks. It is a clean water pump. For more volume at lower pressure, see the Koshin SEH, Koshin SEV and Villiers RT engine pumps.

Electric surface pumps for fixed installations include:

• GMP HGM cast iron pumps, self-priming to 6 m and able to cope with silt and fine sediment from ditches and ponds
• GMP High Head self-priming pumps where pressure matters more than volume
• Pentax CR open impeller pumps, passing soft solids up to 10 mm, for reservoirs and ponds with a flooded suction
• Pentax CM, Pentair Jetinox and Nocchi DHI pumps for clean water at higher pressure

For wells and boreholes, choose by bore diameter first. The Pentax 3S fits 3 inch bores, while the Pentair Dominator 4 inch and Dominator 5 inch suit larger bores. The Matra Venus, Well Buddy and JS-530 Well Buddy are further well pump options. See all well and borehole pumps.

Installation points

• Keep the suction pipe short, airtight and at least the full bore of the pump inlet. Use rigid or reinforced suction hose, as layflat hose is for the delivery side only.
• Fit a strainer on the suction end.
• Pumps that are not self-priming, such as the Pentax CR, need a flooded suction or a foot valve with the pipe filled before starting. Never run any pump dry.

Abstraction licences

In England, taking more than 20 cubic metres (20,000 litres) a day from a river, stream or borehole is likely to need an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency. Check the current rules on gov.uk before planning large scale irrigation.

Frequently asked questions

What pump do I need to irrigate from a pond or river?

A surface pump on the bank usually works, provided the lift from water level to the pump is within its suction limit. Self-priming electric pumps such as the GMP HGM lift up to 6 m. For remote fields without power, a petrol engine pump is the practical choice. Fit a strainer to keep debris out.

Can a petrol pump run sprinklers or a rain gun?

Yes, if it produces enough pressure. Sprinklers and rain guns need far more head than an open hose filling a tank. The Koshin SERH high pressure pump is built for this, with up to 57 m of head. Standard transfer pumps move more water at lower pressure, so they suit filling tanks better than spraying.

Do I need a licence to pump water for irrigation?

In England you are likely to need an Environment Agency abstraction licence if you take more than 20 cubic metres a day. Smaller abstractions that are part of a single operation are generally exempt. Wales and Scotland have their own regulators and rules, so check with the right body for your site.

Should I use a surface pump or a borehole pump?

It depends on where the water sits. If the water level is within a few metres of the pump position, a surface pump is simpler to reach and maintain. If the water is deep in a well or borehole, you need a submersible borehole pump, because surface pumps cannot lift water from depth. Our well and borehole pump guide explains more.

Can irrigation pumps handle dirty pond water?

Some can. The GMP HGM handles silt and fine sediment, and the Pentax CR passes soft solids up to 10 mm. Neither is designed for stones, rag or abrasive grit, so always fit a strainer. High pressure clean water pumps such as the Pentax CM are not meant for dirty water and will wear quickly on it.