Pumps for Water: How to Choose the Right Pump for Your Home, Tank or Pressure Boosting Setup

Choosing the right pump for water supply is important if you need reliable flow, usable pressure and a setup that suits your property. The best water pump depends on the water source, intended use, required flow rate, pressure requirement, pipework, tank position, electrical supply and whether the pump is being used for rainwater, household supply, irrigation, transfer or mains pressure boosting.

A water pump should not be chosen by brand or price alone. A pump that is too small may struggle to supply the fixtures you need. A pump that is too large may cycle, waste energy or create pressure problems. For pressure boosting, the cause of poor pressure should be diagnosed before adding a pump.

Installed Today makes it easy to compare and order household water pumps, rain water pumps and mains water pressure boosting pumps online. Products are available for supply-only ordering, with installation suitability to be confirmed before purchase.

Quick Answer: What Pump Do You Need for Water?

The right water pump depends on what you want the pump to do.

As a general guide:

• Household water pumps can help supply water to fixtures from a suitable tank or private water source

• Rain water pumps can move water from tanks to garden taps, toilets, laundries or outdoor use

• Mains water pressure boosting pumps may help improve pressure where the cause has been checked

• Transfer pumps can move clean water from one place to another

• Irrigation pumps need enough flow and pressure for sprinklers, zones or garden watering

• Fire fighting pumps are a separate emergency-use category and must be selected carefully for the property risk and water source

• Pump flow rate should be checked in L/min

• Pump pressure should be checked in kPa

• Electrical supply and installation location must be confirmed before ordering

Before buying a water pump, confirm the correct model, flow rate, pressure requirement, water source, pipework, electrical supply and installation setup with a suitably qualified installer.

Main Types of Pumps for Water

The main water pump types commonly compared for homes, tanks and properties include:

• Household pressure pumps

• Rainwater tank pumps

• Mains pressure boosting pumps

• Jet pumps

• Multistage pumps

• Transfer pumps

• Irrigation pumps

• Fire fighting pumps

• Submersible pumps, where the application suits

• Dirty water or drainage pumps, where the water contains debris

Each pump type is designed for a different use. A clean water pressure pump should not be treated as a dirty water pump. A rainwater tank pump should not be assumed to fix poor mains pressure. A pressure booster should not be added before checking whether valves, pipework, filters or the supply are causing the problem.

Household Water Pumps

Household water pumps are used to move and pressurise clean water for domestic use. They may suit homes, sheds, cabins, granny flats, rural properties or tank-fed setups where water needs to be delivered to fixtures.

Household water pumps may suit:

• Tank-fed household supply

• Domestic clean water transfer

• Homes using rainwater for selected fixtures

• Rural homes

• Sheds or secondary buildings

• Granny flats

• General household pressure support where the water source suits

Before choosing a household water pump, check:

• Required flow rate in L/min

• Required pressure in kPa

• Number of outlets

• Peak demand

• Suction lift

• Pipe length

• Pipe diameter

• Power supply

• Tank location

• Water quality

• Whether dry-run protection is needed

• Whether a pressure controller is included

A household pump needs to be sized around real use, not just the maximum flow rate listed on the product page.

Rain Water Pumps

Rain water pumps are designed to move water from rainwater tanks to where it is needed. Depending on the setup, this may include garden taps, irrigation, toilets, laundries or selected household fixtures.

Rain water pumps may suit:

• Garden taps

• Hose use

• Irrigation

• Toilet supply

• Laundry supply

• Tank-to-house water delivery

• Outdoor cleaning

• General tank water transfer

When choosing a rain water pump, consider:

• Tank size

• Tank outlet size

• Tank location

• Distance from tank to pump

• Distance from pump to fixtures

• Height difference

• Required flow in L/min

• Required pressure in kPa

• Water quality

• Sediment risk

• Weather exposure

• Noise placement

• Electrical supply

Rainwater pumps should be protected from debris, running dry and unsuitable weather exposure.

Mains Water Pressure Boosting Pumps

Mains water pressure boosting pumps may help where a property has poor water pressure, but the cause of low pressure should be checked first.

Low water pressure can be caused by:

• Low incoming mains pressure

• Undersized pipework

• Old or restricted pipes

• Partially closed valves

• Faulty pressure limiting valves

• Blocked filters or strainers

• Long pipe runs

• Height difference

• High simultaneous water demand

• Plumbing restrictions

• Fixture or mixer issues

A pressure boosting pump may not fix the problem if the issue is pipe sizing, restricted valves, blocked filters or poor fixture flow.

Before choosing a pressure boosting pump, confirm:

• Existing static pressure in kPa

• Existing flow rate in L/min

• Required boosted pressure

• Maximum safe pressure

• Pipework size

• Valve condition

• Local requirements

• Electrical supply

• Whether a break tank is required

• Whether the selected pump is suitable for mains boosting

Do not add a booster pump before diagnosing the pressure issue.

Jet Pumps

Jet pumps are commonly used for clean water supply, tank water, garden watering and pressure applications where the water source and pipework suit.

Jet pumps may suit:

• Shallow suction applications

• Rainwater tanks

• Garden taps

• Small homes or sheds

• General clean water transfer

• Pressure supply where the pump curve suits the demand

Jet pump selection depends on:

• Suction lift

• Distance from water source

• Pipe size

• Flow requirement

• Pressure requirement

• Water quality

• Installation location

• Priming requirements

• Electrical supply

Jet pumps can be practical, but poor suction conditions can cause performance problems.

Multistage Pumps

Multistage pumps use more than one impeller to build pressure. They can suit applications where higher pressure is needed while maintaining efficient water movement.

Multistage pumps may suit:

• Larger homes

• Pressure boosting

• Irrigation

• Longer pipe runs

• Higher-pressure requirements

• Some commercial or agricultural applications

• Multi-outlet water supply

Before choosing a multistage pump, check:

• Required pressure in kPa

• Required flow in L/min

• Number of outlets

• Vertical lift

• Pipe length

• Pipe diameter

• Water source

• Controller type

• Duty requirements

• Electrical supply

A multistage pump can be a strong option where the system needs more pressure, but it still needs correct sizing.

Transfer Pumps

Transfer pumps are used to move water from one location to another. They may not always be designed to maintain household pressure.

Transfer pumps may suit:

• Moving clean water between tanks

• Emptying clean water storage

• Filling tanks

• Water movement around a property

• Temporary water transfer

• Some agricultural uses

Before choosing a transfer pump, confirm:

• Water quality

• Required transfer distance

• Required flow rate in L/min

• Vertical height

• Pipe size

• Run time

• Power supply

• Whether automatic control is needed

A transfer pump should not be assumed suitable for household pressure supply unless the model is designed for that purpose.

Irrigation Pumps

Irrigation pumps are selected around the watering system, not just the garden size.

They may need to supply:

• Sprinklers

• Drip irrigation

• Garden zones

• Lawn irrigation

• Orchard or acreage watering

• Greenhouse systems

• Rural garden setups

Before choosing an irrigation pump, check:

• Number of irrigation zones

• Sprinkler flow requirements

• Required pressure in kPa

• Required flow in L/min

• Hose or pipe length

• Pipe diameter

• Tank capacity

• Pump run time

• Whether filters are needed

• Whether water quality may block emitters

• Whether the pump will run frequently

Irrigation systems often fail because the pump and irrigation design do not match.

Fire Fighting Pumps

Fire fighting pumps are a separate category from household and rainwater pressure pumps. They are used for emergency water movement and fire response support where the property has a suitable water source and setup.

Fire fighting pump selection may depend on:

• Water source

• Suction lift

• Hose length

• Required flow in L/min

• Required pressure in kPa

• Hose and nozzle setup

• Property risk

• Fuel type

• Access

• Portability

• Maintenance readiness

• Local fire management requirements

Fire fighting pumps need careful selection and regular readiness checks. They should not be treated as a normal household pump.

Clean Water Pumps vs Dirty Water Pumps

Many household, rainwater and pressure pumps are clean water pumps. They are not designed for dirty water, stormwater, sewage, sludge or heavy debris unless the model is specifically rated for that use.

Clean water pumps may suit:

• Rainwater tanks

• Household supply

• Garden taps

• Pressure boosting

• Clear water transfer

Dirty water or drainage pumps may be needed for:

• Stormwater

• Flood water

• Pits

• Water with sediment

• Water with organic matter

• Drainage applications

Using a clean water pump in dirty water can damage the pump and reduce performance.

Flow Rate: Why L/min Matters

Flow rate tells you how much water the pump can deliver. It is usually shown in litres per minute.

Flow rate matters for:

• Number of taps

• Garden hoses

• Irrigation zones

• Showers

• Toilets and laundry

• Whole-house use

• Transfer speed

• Filling tanks

• Fire fighting demand

Do not choose based only on the maximum flow figure. Real-world flow changes depending on pressure, pipe size, distance, height, fittings and water source.

Pressure: Why kPa Matters

Pressure tells you how strongly the pump can deliver water. It is usually measured in kPa.

Pressure matters for:

• Shower performance

• Tap performance

• Sprinkler operation

• Multi-storey homes

• Longer pipe runs

• Pressure boosting

• Appliance requirements

• Irrigation performance

Too little pressure can mean weak water flow. Too much pressure can create plumbing stress, valve issues or fixture problems. The pump pressure should suit the system.

Pump Curves and Real-World Performance

A pump’s advertised maximum flow and maximum head are not usually achieved at the same time. As pressure increases, available flow usually drops.

This is why pump curves matter.

A pump curve helps show:

• Flow at different pressure points

• Pressure capability

• Expected operating range

• Whether the pump suits the application

• Whether it can handle the pipe distance and height

• Whether it can supply enough water at the required pressure

Your installer or pump supplier can help interpret the pump curve for your setup.

Suction Lift and Pump Location

Suction lift is the height and difficulty involved in pulling water from the source into the pump.

It matters when water is drawn from:

• Rainwater tanks

• Underground tanks

• Lower storage vessels

• Wells or pits, where suitable pumps are used

• Water sources below pump level

• Long suction lines

Poor suction setup can cause:

• Loss of prime

• Pump not delivering water

• Air in lines

• Cavitation

• Poor pressure

• Pump cycling

• Premature wear

Pump location, pipe size and suction distance should be checked before choosing a model.

Pipe Size and Distance

Pipework affects pump performance. Even a good pump can perform poorly with undersized, restricted or badly routed pipework.

Important pipework checks include:

• Pipe diameter

• Pipe length

• Number of bends

• Height difference

• Valve restrictions

• Filter restrictions

• Suction pipe condition

• Delivery pipe condition

• Distance to fixtures

• Distance to irrigation zones

Long or narrow pipe runs can reduce flow and pressure.

Pump Controllers and Pressure Switches

Many water pumps use a controller or pressure switch to start and stop automatically.

A controller may help with:

• Automatic start and stop

• Pressure control

• Dry-run protection on some models

• Restart functions

• Reducing manual operation

• Helping protect the pump

• Smoother operation

Before choosing a pump, check whether it includes:

• Pressure controller

• Pressure switch

• Dry-run protection

• Thermal protection

• Restart function

• Run-dry warning

• Suitable controller for the application

The controller should match the intended use and water source.

Variable Speed Pumps

Variable speed pumps adjust pump speed to suit water demand. They can help maintain more consistent pressure in some setups.

Variable speed pumps may suit:

• Homes with changing water demand

• Pressure-sensitive applications

• Larger homes

• Multi-outlet systems

• Some commercial applications

• Situations where consistent pressure is important

Before choosing a variable speed pump, check:

• System pressure requirements

• Flow demand

• Electrical requirements

• Installation environment

• Controller suitability

• Maintenance requirements

• Whether the added cost is justified for the application

Variable speed technology can be useful, but it still needs correct pump sizing and installation.

Power Supply and Electrical Requirements

Most domestic water pumps need a safe and suitable electrical supply.

Before ordering, confirm:

• Voltage requirements

• Power point location

• Weather protection

• Electrical safety requirements

• Cable route

• Switch location

• Whether a licensed electrician is needed

• Whether the pump is outdoors

• Whether the controller needs protection from weather

Do not run pumps from unsafe extension leads or unprotected outdoor power points.

Noise and Pump Placement

Pump noise can be an issue if the pump is installed near living areas, bedrooms or neighbours.

Before choosing a pump location, consider:

• Distance from bedrooms

• Distance from neighbours

• Wall mounting or slab mounting

• Vibration

• Pipe noise

• Weather exposure

• Ventilation

• Access for servicing

• Drainage around the pump

• Flood risk

A pump cover may help in some situations, but it must not block ventilation or trap heat.

Weather Protection

Pumps installed outdoors need protection from weather, flooding and heat build-up.

Check:

• Whether the pump is suitable for outdoor installation

• Whether a weather cover is needed

• Whether the motor has airflow

• Whether the controller is protected

• Whether the pump is above flood level

• Whether the base is level and stable

• Whether service access is available

• Whether the electrical supply is protected

Do not fully enclose a pump in a way that traps heat.

How to Choose the Right Water Pump

Before choosing a pump, work through the following questions:

• What is the water source?

• What is the pump being used for?

• Is the water clean or dirty?

• What flow rate is required in L/min?

• What pressure is required in kPa?

• How many outlets will run at once?

• What is the pipe size?

• How long is the pipe run?

• Is there vertical lift?

• Is suction lift involved?

• Is the pump indoors or outdoors?

• Is power available?

• Is noise a concern?

• Does the pump need dry-run protection?

• Is a controller included?

• Has an installer confirmed the setup?

The right pump is the one that matches the application, not the one with the biggest number on the box.

What Is Not Included in Supply-Only Pump Pricing?

For supply-only products, the listed product price generally covers the product only.

It does not usually include:

• Installation labour

• Plumbing work

• Electrical work

• Pipework changes

• New valves

• Pressure testing

• Flow testing

• Tank modifications

• Pump covers

• Concrete bases

• Weather protection

• Filtration before the pump

• Pressure limiting valves

• Drainage work

• Fault diagnosis

• Old pump removal

• Disposal

• Ongoing servicing

• Site assessment

Before ordering, confirm the correct pump and installation requirements with your installer.

Supply-Only Pumps from Installed Today

Installed Today offers supply-only pump ordering for customers who already know which product they need or have an installer organised.

Supply-only may suit you if:

• The water source has been confirmed

• Required flow in L/min has been checked

• Required pressure in kPa has been checked

• Pipework size and distance have been reviewed

• Tank setup is suitable

• Electrical requirements have been checked

• Installation location is suitable

• Weather protection has been considered

• Your installer has confirmed the pump choice

• You understand what is not included in the product price

For pressure boosting, diagnose the cause of poor pressure before ordering a pump.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Pumps for Water

Choosing the Biggest Pump

A bigger pump is not always better. Oversizing can cause pressure problems, cycling and unnecessary cost.

Ignoring Flow Rate

Flow rate in L/min must match household use, irrigation demand or transfer requirements.

Ignoring Pressure

Pressure in kPa must suit fixtures, pipework and system limits.

Adding a Booster Pump Without Diagnosis

Poor pressure can be caused by valves, filters, pipe size or supply problems. A pump is not always the first fix.

Choosing a Clean Water Pump for Dirty Water

Clean water pumps should not be used for dirty water, stormwater or debris unless the model is rated for it.

Forgetting Suction Lift

A pump may struggle if it is too far from the water source, too high above the water or connected with unsuitable suction pipework.

Not Checking Electrical Requirements

Pumps need safe, suitable power. Outdoor electrical setups must be checked properly.

Forgetting Maintenance

Pumps, filters, strainers and controllers need maintenance to keep working reliably.

Pump Maintenance

Water pumps need maintenance to keep working reliably.

General pump maintenance may include:

• Checking for leaks

• Keeping the pump area clean

• Checking for unusual noise

• Checking vibration

• Checking pressure changes

• Cleaning strainers where fitted

• Checking filters before the pump

• Keeping tank outlets clear

• Protecting the pump from running dry

• Checking electrical connections visually

• Following the manufacturer’s service guide

Do not attempt electrical repairs yourself. Use licensed trades where required.

Signs a Water Pump May Need Attention

A pump may need inspection if you notice:

• No water flow

• Low pressure

• Pump cycling on and off

• Pump running constantly

• Pump not starting

• Pump overheating

• Unusual noise

• Vibration

• Air in water lines

• Loss of prime

• Water leaks

• Burning smell

• Controller fault

• Pressure dropping quickly

Turn the pump off if it appears unsafe, leaking badly, overheating or making unusual electrical smells.

Before Ordering Checklist

Before ordering a pump for water supply, confirm:

• Water source

• Intended use

• Required flow rate in L/min

• Required pressure in kPa

• Number of outlets

• Peak demand

• Tank location

• Suction lift

• Vertical height

• Pipe length

• Pipe diameter

• Water quality

• Sediment risk

• Whether pre-filtration is needed

• Electrical supply

• Outdoor location

• Weather protection

• Noise placement

• Controller requirements

• Dry-run protection

• Whether pressure boosting is actually needed

• Installer confirmation before buying supply only

Frequently Asked Questions

What are pumps for water used for?

Water pumps are used for rainwater tanks, household supply, garden watering, irrigation, clean water transfer, mains pressure boosting and some emergency water applications, depending on the pump type.

What type of water pump do I need?

The right pump depends on the water source, required flow in L/min, required pressure in kPa, pipework, vertical lift, suction lift, electrical supply and intended use.

What is the difference between a rainwater pump and a pressure pump?

A rainwater pump moves water from a tank. A pressure pump is designed to provide water pressure to fixtures or outlets. Some rainwater pumps are also pressure pumps, depending on the model.

Can a pump improve low water pressure?

A pressure boosting pump may help in some cases, but the cause of low pressure should be diagnosed first. Pipe size, valves, filters and supply pressure can all affect performance.

What size pump do I need for my house?

The right size depends on the number of outlets, peak water use, required flow in L/min, required pressure in kPa, pipework, tank setup and height difference.

Can I use a clean water pump for dirty water?

No, not unless the pump is specifically rated for dirty water. Clean water pumps can be damaged by debris, sediment or sludge.

Do water pumps need electricity?

Most household pumps need a suitable electrical supply. Outdoor installations need safe, weather-protected electrical arrangements.

What does L/min mean on a pump?

L/min means litres per minute. It tells you how much water the pump can move under certain conditions.

What does kPa mean on a pump?

kPa means kilopascals. It is a pressure measurement used to understand how strongly the pump can deliver water.

Does supply-only pump pricing include installation?

No. Supply-only generally means product only unless installation is selected or clearly shown. Plumbing, electrical work, pipework, valves, pressure testing, old pump removal and site assessment are usually separate.

Final Word

Finding the right pump for water supply starts with understanding the job. A household pump, rainwater pump, pressure boosting pump, irrigation pump, transfer pump or fire fighting pump may all move water, but they are not designed for the same purpose.

Before ordering through Installed Today, confirm your water source, required flow in L/min, pressure in kPa, pipework, tank setup, electrical supply, water quality and installation location. For pressure boosting, diagnose the cause of poor pressure before adding a pump.

Supply-only pump ordering can be a good option when you already have an installer organised and the correct model has been confirmed.