Gaining in popularity in the recent years, the submersible pump has been more and more present on farms. Just like it name implies, the submersible pump is meant to be operated while being submerged, as a way to pump water or drain out any liquid that is to be removed. Just like other pumps, a submersible pump comes in a wide variety, with each type having specific applications. Farm uses for these pumps are however normally limited to concrete water tanks, boreholes or wells. When used as a water distribution system, submersible pumps have certain advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of the Submersible Pump

• While this is not technically an advantage, submersible pumps are designed to be tightly contained underwater units. Thus, they are completely watertight, and risks of leakages and electric contacts are eliminated. This ensure that the pump will suffer from no internal damage, and thus minimizes repair costs.
• The second advantage of a submersible pump is in how it interacts with the water. Indeed, due to the fact that the pump uses no suction to get the water through to the pipes or hoses, the pressure is optimized. This allows the water to move over a greater distance, which can be useful for larger farms.
• The greatest advantage of a submersible pump however lies in the fact that unlike other types of pumps, they do not need to be primed before operating. This not only saves time, but also reduces risks of overexertion.

Disadvantages of the Submersible Pump

• The biggest advantage of a submersible pump lies in the fact that it is hard to identify and repair damages like a rupture. Indeed, if the pump loses its integrity and starts to leak, the components may start getting corroded without any sign being seen since it is submerged. While these cases are rare, in the event they occurred the damages may be identified too late.
• The second disadvantage, while being quite obvious, is the cost. Effectively, due to their technical nature and all the safety units required, submersible pumps tend to have a higher cost than regular ones.

In conclusion, a submersible pump is only useful to a specific group of farmers, and the advantages and disadvantages need to be weighed in before deciding to choose between a submersible pump and an unsubmersible one. Simply put, it all depends on the budget available, and the purpose of the pump.