Do you have a garden or a lawn that you want to water more efficiently and sustainably? Maybe you are trying to be more green or just trying to save money on your water bills. In that case, a water bore pump might be for you. But what is a water bore pump, and how does it work?
A water bore pump is a pump that is drilled directly into an underground water source like an aquifer, where the pump will pressurise the water up through the pump to water your plants. Using a water bore pump is a more economical and environmentally friendly way to plants.
A borehole pump is a must-have to use bore water for irrigation, but how do you find out where to get one, where to install it, and what size bore pump to get? Don’t worry, we have put together this handy article to cover all your questions about water bore pumps. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How Does a Bore Pump Work?
A bore pump pressurises water from an underground source like an aquifer, to force water to the surface, where it is either stored in a tank, or directly into your irrigation system to water your plants.
A bore pump is one of two parts of a bore water supply, the other one being the bore itself (also referred to as the spearpoint or the well). The bore is basically a hole or the hollow space left in the ground after being drilled, which is consequently filled with groundwater from a nearby aquifer.
The pressure from this drives the groundwater into the plumbing system. Once the storage tank reaches a certain pressure or hits its threshold, the pump will stop, and will only resume once the pressure drops. The bore, where the bore pump gets the groundwater from, is made up of four parts — the hole, the bore casing, the bore screen, and the gravel picking.
1. Bore Hole – A water bore can be anywhere from 300mm-400mm in diameter. The depth will depend on what kind of water is found below the ground. It can be a 15m deep bore for most residential properties, or up to 400 metres deep for large, commercial bores.
2. Bore Casing – The casing forms the bore’s primary pipe structure. The casing keeps away the earth and rock, and prevents the hole from collapsing. This is also where all the power cables and outlet pipes go into for submersible bore pumps. These are generally built from PVC pipes, but can also be made of steel, stainless steel, and even Fibreglass Reinforced Polyethylene (FRP), which is also referred to as permaglass.
3. Bore Screen – The bore screen is also referred to as a well screen. This is a section along the main pipe that is usually located at the bottom end of the bore, sitting in the groundwater that the driller finds. It also reinforces the bore casing and holds its round structure into place. This has perforations that let groundwater flow into the pump for delivery to the surface. Similar to the casing, these are generally made out of PVC pipes. In heavy commercial applications, these are made of stainless steel mesh that allows a high flow rate of groundwater.
4. Gravel Packing – This is the material used to fill the annular spaces between the bore casing and the sides of the hole. As such, this also keeps the earth from collapsing into the pipe and adds to the structural strength. Fine gravel grit is usually used in the area where the bore screen is located. This creates more air gaps around the bore screen compared to normal earth, which consequently allows more groundwater to flow in. In addition, this will help filter out sand or other contaminants from the groundwater being sent to the surface.
What Type of Pump Do You Need For A Bore?
The most commonly used pumps for bores are piston pumps, submersible pumps and turbine pumps. These pumps are powerful and resilient enough to consistently draw water from deep underground to fill your tank and keep your plants watered.
Pumps that are used for boreholes have two primary parts — the engine which provides pumping power, and the hydraulic part of the transmission which sends and converts this power for the water so that it can be sent to the surface. The relationship of these three elements (engine, hydraulics, and water) is a ‘circular operation’ where each one contributes and maintains the stability of the pump as a whole. The specific parts of the borehole pump will depend on what type of bore pump it is.
Types of Bore Pumps
Bore Pumps differ in how they are powered and how they work. They can be powered by either electricity or solar, and work underwater (submersible) or above-ground. We have listed below the three most common types of bore pumps available in the market.
1. Above Ground Bore Pumps – Also referred to as shallow well pumps or simple land bore pumps. This type of bore pump is located on the surface of the ground and lifts water underneath using a suction pipe. Above ground bore pumps are typically larger in size, which means they also pump more water in a given amount of time. Piston and turbine pumps are common examples of above ground bore pumps.
2. Submersible Bore Pumps – Submersible pumps are powered by electricity whose pump and motor are both placed underwater to operate. These are common among households for domestic water supplies, and in some cases, small area gardening. There are, however, larger capacity pumps available for large residences and small commercial establishments. In some cases, these pumps use two pipe jet pumps instead of one submersible pump.
3. Solar Bore Pumps – This type of pump receives power from the Sun, hence the solar in its name. Solar bore pumps are usually submersible bore pumps, with the only major difference being how they are electrically powered. There are pros and cons of solar pumps, and they aren’t suitable for all applications and environments.
What Size Pump Do I Need For A Bore?
Head pressure and flow rate are the two determining factors when choosing what size pump you need for a bore. Knowing these requirements is the best way to choose a pump size that will work efficiently for your system.
Measuring flow rate and pressure is an important skill in any irrigation system design.
You should identify how many litres all taps, sprinklers, and other water systems use per minute. For instance, if you are running two sprinklers at the same time to water your garden, then add both of their water usage in Litres per minute to get the total tap flow rate.
If this proves to be difficult, you can check the packaging of your sprinkler or water system to see its water consumption. For instance, a large-sized pop up sprinkler equipped with a 24m diameter spray with a size 8 nozzle uses approximately 12LPM.
You can also check with an irrigation supplier to seek help on this – when purchasing your bore pump, the supplier can ensure you have the right size for your needs.
Keep in mind that just because a bore is capable of delivering 10,000 LPM, doesn’t mean you should also look for a pump with a size capable of pumping 10,000 LPM. Efficiency has to be taken into account, especially since trying to extract as much water may eventually damage the bore.
How Do I Choose A Borehole Pump?
You should choose your borehole pump based on the depth it must reach, the geographic location you’re in, the amount of water you use regularly and your budget. For the most part, submersible bore pumps are used for irrigation and gardening purposes, while above ground and solar bore pumps are used for everything else.
If you reside in an area where the sun hits directly, then a solar bore pump may be beneficial. If you have been told or have discovered that the aquifer below your residence is near the surface, then an above-ground bore pump may be an option. The submersible bore pump is the most common choice for households.
However, remember that bore pumps come in different sizes and water delivery capacities. So small commercial establishments may still use a larger submersible borehole pump for their applications. Your pump supplier should be able to help you choose a borehole pump if you are still unsure.
How Much Do Water Bore Pumps Cost?
The price of a bore pump can be anywhere between $1,200 to over $7,000. The price of your bore pump will be affected by the size, the strength and the type of bore pump you choose. For example, solar powered bore pumps are generally more expensive.
Solar bore pumps can cost anywhere from $1,300 all the way to $7,500. For submersible bore pumps, it depends on the size. Smaller bore pumps can start at under $500, while the larger residential models can cost over $3,000. Like most irrigation supplies, if you’re willing to spend a little bit more, your system will be cheaper to run, work more efficiently and last longer over time.
The price will ultimately be determined by the manufacturer and the model’s specifications, particularly the LPM and the specific material the components are made of. Keep in mind that you will have other costs to factor in, like installation and borehole maintenance.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Water Bore Pump?
The typical installation cost of a water bore pump is around $2,500 to $5,000. This figure includes the cost of installation as well as the unit itself. However, the cost will vary depending on a number of factors, which include the depth of the water table, and flow rate requirements.
Water bore pump installation usually includes the installation of a retic system. As such, the total cost of installation will also be affected by factors related to the retic system. Among these factors is whether or not the groundwater is prone to Iron staining (which means there is a high concentration of Iron present in the groundwater), which will require a specialised system to minimise any blockage or staining. The price will also depend on which materials are used for the components. For instance, stainless steel pipes will cost more than its PVC models.
Installation usually takes only two days to complete — one day to drill and case the bore hole, and another to install the bore pump.
How Long Do Water Bore Pumps Last?
Water bore pumps can last up to 20 years, provided they are made from high quality materials, as well as installed and maintained properly. Ensuring regular maintenance is essential for the system to last as long as possible.
Much like any other device that has moving parts, routine maintenance is required to keep the pumps in good condition. Premature pump failures are usually caused by an overheating of the motor, or corrosion.
Bore pump maintenance should be part of your regular schedule when maintaining a bore well.
Do Bore Pumps Need Servicing?
Yes, bore pumps need scheduled servicing every 12 months to ensure they continue to work properly. Due to the number of moving parts and elements involved, it is important to have your bore pumps routinely serviced by a professional.
The frequency of your bore pump’s servicing will depend on how often it is being used, how powerful it is, and the composition of the groundwater (e.g. high concentrations of Iron can cause problems such as staining, among others). A bare minimum servicing schedule should be yearly.
Related Questions
How Does a Bore Well Work?
When a bore well is drilled or dug, water-bearing cracks along the path in varying depths are hit. Water then streams out of these cracks at very high pressure and shoots into the borehole, which causes a rise in the well’s water level.
Is Bore Water Good for Plants?
Bore water is good for watering some plants, like tomatoes, while it can affect the growth of others like beans and cucumbers. The pH level of the bore water will affect different plants in different ways. However, it’s important to thoroughly wash any produce that is watered with bore water.
Vince is Managing Director of Hills Irrigation and is supported by Lisa in an administrative capacity. Andrew, Isaac and Megan look after the day to day needs of both online and shop customers. As Project Manager, Vince is also responsible for installation projects along with his team. It is his responsibility to work closely with clients to ensure that scope of work is understood and followed.
