Choosing the right pump is not just a technical step in borewell development — it’s a critical decision that affects the efficiency, durability, and long-term cost-effectiveness of the entire water system. Despite this, many users — and sometimes even contractors — overlook key factors during pump selection. The result? Frequent breakdowns, energy waste, poor water delivery, and unnecessary expenses.
To help you avoid these pitfalls, here’s a breakdown of the most common pump selection mistakes — and how you can avoid or correct them.
Mistake: Selecting a pump based on guesswork, assumptions, or what worked in a neighbor’s borewell.
Fix: Always start with a yield test to determine how much water your borewell can deliver. Then calculate the required discharge and head — which includes the vertical lift and pressure needed for your application. This ensures your pump is neither underpowered nor oversized and is precisely matched to your system.
Mistake: Overlooking friction loss in pipes, bends, and fittings when calculating total head.
Fix: Total head should include static head (vertical lift) + drawdown + friction loss. Using hydraulic calculations or a pump selection tool will give you an accurate estimate and prevent performance issues due to underestimated resistance in the system.
Mistake: Believing that a larger, more powerful pump will perform better — the “bigger is better” mindset.
Fix: An oversized pump draws more power, often causes motor burnouts, and puts unnecessary stress on the borewell, leading to early failure. Always match the pump size to actual requirements, not perceived future needs or assumptions.
Mistake: Installing an inappropriate pump for the application or borewell depth.
Fix: Choose based on depth and source type:
Submersible pumps for deep borewells (more than 25–30 meters).
Jet pumps for shallow wells (up to 25 meters).
Centrifugal pumps for open wells, sumps, or surface water.
Matching the pump type to your source ensures efficient water lifting and reduces mechanical wear.
Mistake: Selecting a three-phase pump where only single-phase power is available, or not using proper electrical protections.
Fix: Confirm your power supply type and stability. Match the pump’s voltage and phase, and always install appropriate starter panels, MCBs, overload protection, and earthing to safeguard against electrical faults.
Mistake: Even the right pump can fail if installation is careless — loose wiring, misalignment, or improper pipe fitting can cause vibrations, leakage, or short circuits.
Fix: Ensure professional installation with attention to detail — proper alignment, secure joints, and correct electrical connections make a big difference in performance and longevity.
Pump selection is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires understanding your borewell’s yield, depth, system design, and power infrastructure. At Borewell Guru, we guide our clients through the entire process — from testing and system sizing to pump selection and professional installation. The right pump, chosen with care, saves you from downtime, inflated power bills, and costly repairs.
We provide the best solutions for all your water related issues monitored by our experienced geologists.
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TC:10/630(3),Pumphouse,Mannanthala,
Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala,India
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