How to Choose a Water Pump

Date Posted: 21 August 2019 

There are a variety of different water pumps to choose from; including those that drain your pool, irrigate your garden, protect your property against fire or flood, and more. Choose the right water pump for your needs here.

Choose the right water pump is importantMoving water from a certain location to another requires a water pump. At first glance, it may seem easy to understand. You just browse through different water pump options and you buy the one suitable for your needs, right? Unfortunately, it does not work that way.

The world of water pumps is quite obscure with lots of options available. To add to that, there are a variety of pumps to choose from depending on what you want to accomplish. From draining your pool or irrigating your garden, to protecting your property against fire or flood, we strongly suggest you take the time to assess what you are wanting to get from your pump.

Some things to note are:

  • Annual checks should be performed to ensure the pumps are fully operational, particularly when using pumps for private water supply.
  • It is essential that all materials that come into contact with water (including water pumps) comply with AS/NZS 4020:2005.
  • Australian Standards concerning pumps include AS 2625.1-2003 and AS 2417-2001. The first one regulates mechanical vibration while the other is for rotodynamic pumps.

Non-compliance of water pumps does not mean the pumps are not fit for its claimed purpose.


Which Type of Pump Do You Need?

When you shop for pumps, there are two main types you will encounter:

1. Electric Pumps

This type of pump is the more common of the two. Electric-powered pumps are preferable for home or indoor use. They are suitable for smaller requirements, such as garden, aquarium, and rainwater tanks.

Most domestic pumps can be plugged into a 10A standard mains socket and can be installed without any professional help.

Bigger electric pumps can be used to move water over long distances, such as stationary water pumps. A disadvantage, however, is that electric-powered pumps must always be connected to mains power to work – unless you have a generator. Therefore, they are not suitable for unpowered workplaces, rural applications, or sites that experience blackouts.

2. Petrol or Diesel Transfer Pumps

For larger portable applications, petrol or diesel-powered pumps are the preferred option. Whether in farms, construction sites, and mining locations, professionals would often go for this type of water pump.

Note: This type should not be used indoors as the pumps emit carbon monoxide.


What Is It For?

Perhaps the most important factor in choosing the type of pump is your purpose as to why you want to buy the water pump. Before buying, you have already established why you need the pump. Is it for your home? Do you need to get rid of water that overflowed to your basement? Do you need to drain or fill your pool or pond?

You may even use it for work, such as distributing pesticides, fertilisers, or even for construction purposes. How you will use the pump will determine what type of pump to go for.

1. Household or Residential Use

If you need a household pump, you probably want to remove slimy, dirty, or even clear water. Pumps used to de-water homes are generally lightweight with high pressure. They are general purpose pumps that are best for home use, as well as the gardening enthusiast.

To choose the right household pump, you will need to look into two factors:

  • Flow Rate: This one answers how much water you require. Small cottages will typically work well with pumps with a maximum flow rate of 50 L/m (litres per minute) such as the Monza 800w 1hp Stainless Jet Water Pump while average-sized homes will benefit from 60 L/m pumps, such as the Monza 1100w 1.5hp Jet Pump.
  • For larger homes that use six to seven tap combinations, a household pump rated 80 L/m like the Monza 1300w 1.75hp Stainless Jet Water Pump and Auto Control will work perfectly.
  • Working Pressure: How much pressure do you need? The recommended pressure is 300 kPa (42 psi). Note that these numbers are not the maximum pressure but the required flow pressure. However, if you have numerous small pipes or your tank is far away from the house, you need to look for a pump with a higher working pressure. The Monza 1300w 1.75hp Stainless Jet Water Pump is ample for those with lots of pipes.

A household pump can be of any type. For instance, a jet pump is useful for long suction applications while variable speed pumps are great for saving power costs since they run at the required speed only.

2. Pump for Rainwater Tank

Choosing a pump for rainwaterIf you have a rainwater tank, you need a water pump for it. Determine the power of the pump first, along with the flow rate. You may also want to look at certain features, such as automatic switching. This way, the pump will turn on or off when you use the hose or tap.

It is best if you connect the pump to indoor plumbing. The Monza 800w 1hp Water Pump has an auto controller for easy on and off switching.

3. Gardening

Water fountains are fascinating but water pumps are the key to their functionality. The electric-powered pump is the best option here and you can pick whether to go with a jet or not. You need to connect the pump to your electricity grid to ensure that it does not stop working. You may have to keep it running for a long time but most of them are quite energy-efficient.

The Monza 800w 1hp Water Pump is a great garden pump because it does not consume power as much as other brands. It is also lightweight and CE-powered with a modern design.

4. Fighting Fire

Monza 2" 6.5hp Petrol Fire Water PumpWhen choosing a fire-fighting pump, the most significant thing to look for is the pressure. It should provide high amounts of pressure. This way, you can choose to use any water source, such as your pool, tank, dam, or a creek. No matter which source you choose, it will discharge the water effortlessly.

The Monza 2” 4-Stroke Petrol Fire Pump is a good option here. It is petrol-powered with a 6.5 horsepower four-stroke engine. It consumes minimal fuel so it can run for longer periods of time, and running costs are extremely low.

Aside from fire-fighting purposes, you may also use it for transferring water that needs high pressure. It is also best for spray irrigation and other spraying techniques that demand high pressure.

5. Pumping Trash

Trash pumps are designed for moving water so that you can get rid of mucky and muddy water. This type of pump is often used at construction sites. A Monza 2" Transfer Pump or a Monza 3" Transfer Pump would be ideal for this task, both of these come with a plastic suction screen.


Other Features to Consider

Aside from the ones mentioned above, you should also take a look at certain characteristics of the water pump. The inlet size should be considered based on the flow rate of the product. Portable pumps, for instance, have an inlet size of at least one inch and can go up to six inches or even more. The higher the flow rate, the faster the pump can pull in water, especially if the inlet size is large.

You should also consider the maximum head and pressure of the pump. The maximum head refers to the maximum height that the pump can reach and pump to. Most of the time, it is defined as the height of the suction and the pumping height.

If your pump is said to have a maximum head of 70 metres, it means the flow rate is zero when the pump reaches 70 metres. As you can see, the flow rate reduces the higher the pump goes. As a recommendation, go for a pump with a maximum head that is higher than the area where you need to pump.

In line with the maximum head, you should also take a look at the pressure, which is the pressure that you require water to be discharged. It is specified in a pump's pressure rating or psi.

When buying a water pump, do not forget about the quality. Trust only the supplier with a track record of providing the best products for homeowners and businesses in Australia.