When you live in a rural area, installing a private well allows you to disconnect from the municipal system and have a steady, clean supply of water. These devices use a well pump to send water from an underground reservoir into the plumbing of your home. Because wells vary in size and output, they require different styles of pumps, depending on your needs. Here is a brief guide that discusses the most common varieties.

What Are the Differences Between Well Pumps?

1. Submersible Pump

This is the most common pump for a deep-water well, which typically ranges between 100 and 400 feet deep. This is ideal for channeling fluid over long distances, as they sit below the water level and have a powerful motor that channels the liquid upward. The well casing contains a single pipe that connects the pump to a pressure tank, which stores water for your home to use. Submersible varieties rely on pressure to support the pump, making them highly efficient. 

2. Centrifugal Pump

These pumps support shallow wells that are about 25 feet deep. They use centrifugal force, similar to a toilet flushing, to force water upward and through an individual inlet pipe that reaches into the home. Unlike submersible types, shallow well pumps sit above the ground and reside inside the well casing. They are relatively small and do not require a significant installation process, making them a cost-effective and low-maintenance option for smaller well systems.

3. Jet Pump

Jet pumps are available in double-drop and single-drop varieties, depending on the depth of your well. Single-drop well pumps use one pipe to draw water from shallow wells that are up to 25 feet deep. Double-drop styles serve medium-depth wells, but are not as effective for water tables that are more than 110 feet deep. Jet pumps rely on an impeller and suction to create a vacuum that draws groundwater into your plumbing system. Like centrifugal varieties, jet pumps generally sit above the ground so that you have easy access to them for maintenance.

When you need help installing a well or repairing a malfunctioning pump, contact Ace Drilling in Polson, MT. Headed by brothers Dave and Jay Bick, this family-owned company provides over 30 years of combined experience in well drilling, installations, repairs, and more. Call (406) 883-3300 to schedule an appointment, and visit them online to learn more about their well pump services.