Choosing the right pump for watering your garden depends primarily on two variables: the water source and the requirements of the irrigation system. An installer who works with a deep well faces completely different challenges than one who designs an installation based on a rainwater storage facility. In both cases, it is crucial to precisely match the device parameters to the actual operating conditions - before you go to the manufacturer's website and click "add to cart".
Well or rainwater - water sources and what results from them
When designing a garden watering system, the first step is always to identify water sources. Each of them imposes a different type of pump, different automation and different filtration requirements. Your own deep well is the most stable, but also demanding source: the depth of the pump suspension, the level of the water table, the efficiency of the well and the physicochemical composition of the water (presence of sand, iron, manganese) - all this must be examined before selecting the device. In the case of dug wells or low-efficiency drilling, it is particularly important that water consumption does not exceed the limits of safe exploitation of the source.
The situation is completely different when the installation uses rainwater collected in an underground or above-ground tank. Here, the well efficiency does not matter, but other variables appear: tank filling level, water quality (biological pollutants, suspended matter), location of the tank in relation to the intake zone and pressure requirements of the irrigation system. The rainwater pump must cope with a variable water level in the tank, often operates in start/stop mode and should be equipped with pre-filtration. In open technical tanks, where the quality of the medium is poorer, a dirty water pump with appropriate passages for solid impurities is sometimes necessary.
Key parameters that determine the selection of a pump
To select a submersible pump or a garden pump for a specific installation, the installer must use specific numbers - not estimates. The basis is to check the well's performance in dynamic conditions, i.e. carrying out a pumping test, which will show how quickly the water table decreases at a given consumption. The difference between the static and dynamic water surface directly affects the required water lifting height and must be taken into account with appropriate design headroom.
The lifting height is a complex parameter: it is the sum of the pump suspension depth, the level difference between the intake and the supply point, linear losses in the pipeline and local losses in the fittings. For a typical garden with an automatic irrigation system with sprinklers with a pressure of 3-4 bar at the collector, the requirements for the pressure of the submersible pump are often higher than assumed by the investor at the stage of the initial conversation. Therefore, hydraulic calculations must precede model selection, and not the other way around. The appropriate pump capacity is one that at the working operating point - and not only at the maximum point of the characteristic - covers the total demand of all irrigation sections operating simultaneously.
How to choose a submersible pump for a drilled well
When powering the garden watering system from your own drilled well, a submersible pump from the IBO or brand is a natural choice IPRO produced by Dambat. The use of a submersible pump in a well with a diameter of 4" or 3.5" requires careful adjustment of both the dimensions of the unit and its Q/H characteristics to the source parameters. Efficient submersible pump from the series IPRO, available, among others in the anti-sand version, it works especially well in wells where the water quality may change seasonally.
When selecting a pump for a well, the installer should remember several rules. Firstly, the pump capacity at the operating point cannot exceed the stable capacity of the well - otherwise the pump will run dry and be damaged. Secondly, the outflow pressure of the submersible pump must cover all hydraulic losses and pressure requirements of the final consumers, i.e. lawn sprinklers, mist nozzles or drip lines. Thirdly, when the irrigation system includes several independent sections powered sequentially or in parallel, it is worth considering expanding the installation with a hydrophore set with an expansion tank, which buffers the water pressure and reduces the number of starts of the submersible pump. This system ensures efficient watering of the garden without pressure surges and without the risk of too frequent engine switching cycles.
In the case of larger plots, where irrigation of larger gardens requires simultaneous supply of several zones, the efficient submersible pump should be selected with a flow reserve, and the entire system should be calculated in terms of the maximum simultaneous water consumption. Detailed technical data of the pumps IPRO available in the Dambat offer allow you to precisely select the model appropriate for a specific project.
Rainwater pump – selection and configuration of the installation
When the primary source is a rainwater storage facility, the use of a submersible pump in the traditional sense of the term is pointless. Here, submersible pumps, submersible pressure pumps and self-priming pumps working next to the tank as a device that sucks in water through the suction line play a decisive role. Each of these solutions has its own application profile and a different range of operating parameters.
A submersible pump placed directly in the tank is a simple and reliable solution - water is drawn from the bottom or from the middle of the liquid column, and water is pumped into the garden network directly through the discharge port. The disadvantage is the need to remove the pump from the underground tank during inspections and possible repairs. The submersible pressure pump combines the advantages of a submersible pump and a pressure pump: it generates higher water pressure, which allows Power supply both manual hoses and automatic irrigation sections without an additional pressure stage. This solution is especially recommended in hybrid systems, where the garden irrigation system works alternately with a well and a rainwater tank.
A self-priming pump working next to an above-ground tank is a classic suction pump used for IBC tanks, barrels or small underground tanks with a shallow water surface. Its suction is limited by the geometric suction height (usually up to 7–8 m), therefore the tank suspension depth must be taken into account when selecting the model. If the tank is underground and deep, it is worth considering a self-priming, multi-stage suction pump that compensates for higher losses in the suction line. An irrigation system based on rainwater should be sized so that the appropriate amount of water from the storage is sufficient for the full garden irrigation cycle, which requires prior calculation of water consumption per day or weekly cycle.
Types of IBO pumps i IPRO – overview for designers and installers
Dambat's offer includes a wide range of pump types for garden and home applications. An installer selecting a device for a specific project has several classes of products at his disposal, which differ not only in the type of installation, but also in the range of hydraulic parameters.
The hydrophore pump is a classic garden pump operating dry, with a built-in or external pressure switch and a hydrophore tank. It provides high water pressure and is an ideal solution for installations supplying both the house and the garden from one source - e.g. a dug well or a rainwater tank. The hydrophore set as a complete electric pump with a diaphragm tank, pressure switch and safety fittings is the "all-in-one" solution preferred by installers - especially when purchasing a pump for a private investor who expects a ready-to-connect system. Series multistage submersible pump IPRO This, in turn, is Dambat's answer to the needs of installations requiring high pressure with high efficiency - a type of device intended for drilling wells and industrial groundwater intakes. Where it is required to lift water to great heights or traverse long mains, a multistage pump is the optimal choice.
In the segment of low-budget pumps for garden and emergency work, Dambat IBO offers self-priming pumps, a hand pump to support installations without electricity, as well as dirty water pumps for draining excavations, tanks or areas after flooding. A butterfly pump, a single-stage pump or a circulation pump are other examples of solutions that can be incorporated into more complex installation systems - e.g. for water circulation in tanks or heating systems coupled with a garden installation.
Pump selection procedure – step by step
Professional selection of the right pump for your garden does not start with browsing a catalog - it starts with an inventory. The installer should determine the type and depth of the water source, check the capacity of the well or the capacity of the rainwater tank, measure or calculate the required head, and then determine the water flow required by the irrigation system with the assumed number of simultaneously operating sections. Only after collecting this data can you refer to the catalog and start selecting a pump of a specific type and model.
The next stage is hydraulic calculations: the sum of linear and local losses on the main, the water pressure required by the receivers (sprinklers, nozzles, drip capillaries) and the pump pressure necessary to cover them with an appropriate reserve. Errors at this stage result in overestimation or underestimation of power - both scenarios are costly. An oversized pump generates high pressure in the installation, which leads to accelerated wear of the fittings and pump defects resulting from operation outside the characteristic curve. An underestimated pump will not provide the appropriate amount of water and pressure at the ends, which translates into uneven watering of the plants.
The purchase of a pump should take into account not only the price of the device, but also the cost of accessories: hydrophore tank, automation, filtration, check valves and dry-running protection. Planning these elements at the design stage allows you to avoid costly modifications to the installation after it is launched. Dambat offers both individual devices and ready-made hydrophore sets, which the installer can order as a set.
Submersible pump vs garden pump – typical applications
| Source / Garden Type | Recommended pump type | Key use |
|---|---|---|
| Well drilled | Submersible pump IPRO (multi-stage) | Permanent Power supply home and garden watering system; high pressure and high efficiency at great depths |
| A well is being dug | Self-priming pump / IBO hydrophore pump | Shallow shots; simple installation, can be installed in a technical room |
| Rainwater tank (underground) | IBO submersible pressure pump | Watering plants with rainwater; variable water level, automatic start/stop |
| Rainwater tank (above ground / IBC) | Self-priming pump / IBO suction pump | Seasonal water withdrawal; easy disassembly for winter |
| Large garden (over 1000 m²) | Efficient submersible pump + hydrophore tank | Irrigation of larger gardens; continuous pressure on many garden irrigation sections |
Pressure, flow and efficiency – operating parameters of the irrigation installation
Pump pressure is a parameter that combines all installation elements into one system. The pressure of the submersible pump must be high enough so that after overcoming all losses in the pipeline and fittings, the sprinklers operate at full range and the drip lines distribute water evenly along the entire length of the section. In design practice, a minimum of 2.5–3 bar is assumed at the inlet to the controller, which, given the losses in the installation, often means requiring 4–5 bar at the pump terminal at full flow.
Water flow and water quantity at the pump operating point must be synchronized with the irrigation controller schedule. A typical garden irrigation system is divided into sequential zones in order not to exceed the capacity of the source and pump while simultaneously drawing water through several sections. Check the well's efficiency not only in static conditions, but also after several hours of intensive irrigation - this is a real test for the entire system. Too high water consumption exceeding the regeneration of the intake results in dry running and damage to the pump.
Water consumption in garden systems is often underestimated. Even small rotary sprinklers consume 0.3–0.7 m³/h each, and with several heads working simultaneously, the demand increases to a level that requires a pump with a capacity of 3–6 m³/h at the appropriate pressure. Pressure or multistage submersible pump from the series IPRO can meet such requirements, but only if the selection of the pump is preceded by a reliable analysis and not an indicative estimate. High pressure in the installation with too little water flow in the irrigation sections is one of the most common design errors.
Hydrophore tank and hydrophore set in a garden system
The use of a large hydrophore tank in an installation that supplies the garden with its own well has several direct benefits. The hydrophore tank buffers the water pressure: when the controller opens the irrigation section, water is initially drawn from the tank without the need to activate the submersible pump. Only after the pressure drops below the pressure switch activation threshold does the submersible pump start and fill the tank. A large tank - e.g. 100-200 l - means several times fewer start-up cycles per day, which directly translates into the engine life and reduces pump defects resulting from frequent start-ups.
The hydrophore set as a ready-made solution for the installer saves installation time and guarantees factory-selected cooperation between the pump, pressure switch and tank. Dambat IBO offers ready-to-connect sets, including an electric pump, a hydrophore tank with a membrane and connection fittings. For facilities that require continuous high water pressure in many sections at the same time, a higher-end set - based on a multi-stage pump IPRO – it is a high-performance solution, repeatable in terms of parameters and easy to service.
Garden watering system – from a small plot to a large garden
Small gardens in single-family houses, with an area of up to 200–300 m², are most often served by a simple garden or IBO hydrophore pump with a small tank. Multiple sections of lawn sprinklers and hand-held hoses are the range of applications where a single-stage, medium-pressure, self-priming pump will suffice. Control can be limited to a simple pressure switch or manual valve - installation is simple and quick to assemble.
In a large garden, especially when combining lawn irrigation with flowerbeds, vegetable gardens and orchards, the irrigation system becomes an extensive network of pipes and valves, requiring a stable and continuous source of water. Here is the appropriate submersible pump from the series IPRO, selected for high efficiency at the assumed pressure, together with a hydrophore tank and a multi-zone controller, creates a complete and autonomous garden irrigation system. Irrigation of larger gardens requires division into sequential or zoned sections managed automatically, because only in this way one tank and one pump can effectively service the entire installation without exceeding the capacity of the source. Watering plants sensitive to water shortages - e.g. in greenhouses and greenhouses - requires precise regulation of water flow and pressure on the drip line, which requires the selection of a pump with smooth regulation or the use of a pressure reducer.
Dambat IBO i technical support IPRO for installers
Dambat as a Polish manufacturer of IBO i pumps IPRO provides installers and designers not only with a wide product catalog, but also active technical support in the selection of devices. The company's technical department helps in selecting a submersible pump for a specific well, analyzes installation parameters and indicates the optimal model from the available range. This is especially important for non-standard projects - e.g. when the well capacity is limited, the water table is uneven seasonally or when the garden watering system combines several independent water sources.
The manufacturer's website includes catalog cards, assembly instructions, electrical diagrams and guides on pump types and their applications. The service system also includes after-sales service: spare parts for IBO i pumps IPRO can be reported via a dedicated form, and the service department carries out diagnostics and advises on repairing or replacing the device. Thanks to this, the selection of the appropriate pump is a process supported by the manufacturer's data and experience, and not only by the installer's intuition.
Useful links – IBO pumps and IPRO in the Dambat offer
- Dambat – manufacturer of IBO i pumps IPRO, home page
- IBO garden pumps – electric and self-priming for watering the garden
- Rainwater and watering pumps – tanks and irrigation systems
- IBO pumps – full offer: submersible, hydrophore, submersible
- Pumps IPRO – deep-well multistage pumps for drilled wells
Frequently asked questions
Which garden pump should you choose for a drilled well?
A submersible pump from the series is best for a drilled well IPRO (Dambat), selected based on the suspension depth, dynamic water table and required water pressure to supply the garden irrigation system. If there are several lawn sprinkler zones, it is worth supplementing the installation with a hydrophore tank, which buffers the pressure and limits the number of starts of the submersible pump to several dozen cycles per day instead of several hundred.
What is the difference between a submersible pump and a garden pump?
The submersible pump works immersed in a borehole or well - it is tight, resistant to water pressure and designed for lifting heights of several dozen or even over a hundred meters. A garden pump is usually a surface device, mounted outside the source, operating on the suction principle - its use is limited by the geometric suction height (7-8 m) and is optimal for shallow intakes: dug wells, above-ground tanks and rainwater storage facilities.
How to check the efficiency of a well before selecting a pump?
The efficiency of the well is checked by a pumping test: water is pumped out at a constant flow for at least several minutes and the water level is observed. If the water table stabilizes at a constant level and does not fall further, it means that the well is renewing water at a rate at least equal to the set flow - this is the safe water intake limit for the well pump selected. The test result is a key input parameter for selecting a submersible pump.
Is a regular submersible pump enough for rainwater?
For simple emptying of the tank or occasional watering, a classic submersible pump is sufficient. However, if the installation is to support an automatic garden irrigation system with sprinklers or drip lines, a better choice will be a submersible-pressure pump or a dedicated rainwater pump with higher water pressure - e.g. from the IBO series in the Dambat offer. Only this type of pump will ensure stable pump pressure along the entire length of the irrigation network, regardless of the current water level in the tank.
When is it worth using a hydrophore set in the garden?
A hydrophore set is especially justified when the same submersible pump is to power both the building and the garden watering system, and the irrigation controller operates in multi-zone mode with frequent switching cycles. The hydrophore tank buffers the water pressure and limits the number of engine starts, which reduces energy consumption and extends the life of the electric pump. For a large garden requiring high efficiency when irrigating larger gardens, a set with a multi-stage pump IPRO and a large tank is a solution that ensures the highest operating comfort.
What is the difference between a self-priming pump and a suction pump?
In technical terms, a suction pump is any surface pump that draws water through a suction pipe - both single-stage centrifugal pumps and multi-stage pumps. A self-priming pump is a subcategory of a suction pump: a device that automatically bleeds air from the suction system upon startup without the need to manually fill the body with water. This is an important distinction when designing garden installations, where after emptying the system in winter, automatic activation of the irrigation system in spring did not require the presence of an installer.
What is the use of a submersible pump outside the garden?
The use of a submersible pump goes far beyond just watering the garden. Series submersible pumps IPRO are used as the main source of water in single-family houses, guesthouses, small production plants, agriculture and intensive gardening. Where the irrigation system cooperates with a home installation - e.g. jointly powering a hydrophore plant - the submersible pump plays a double role: it provides water for drinking and domestic use and pressure to the irrigation sections in the garden.
