Surface Pump

What Is a Surface Pump?

A surface pump, also known as a surface water pump, is a type of pump placed above the liquid it’s pumping. Unlike submersible pumps that operate underwater, surface pumps draw fluid from open sources—such as lakes, rivers, ponds, or tanks—and transport it for irrigation, dewatering, or industrial use.

These pumps are vital components of fluid handling equipment, providing a reliable solution for moving clean or lightly contaminated water over short or medium distances. Common across industries like agriculture, construction, and wastewater management, surface pumps are versatile, accessible, and easy to maintain.

How Does a Surface Pump Work?

Surface pumps operate on a suction principle. When turned on, the pump creates a vacuum that draws liquid up through an inlet hose or pipe. The fluid is then discharged under pressure to its destination.

Core Operating Steps:

1. Suction Lift: Fluid is pulled into the pump from a surface source (lake, tank, well).

2. Impeller Action: A rotating impeller (in centrifugal models) or diaphragm (in PD models) adds pressure to the fluid.

3. Discharge: Fluid exits the pump for use in irrigation, transfer, or industrial processes.

Surface pumps rely heavily on priming, ensuring the pump is full of liquid before startup to avoid dry-running. Some models are self-priming, making them suitable for applications where water levels fluctuate.

Surface Pump vs Other Pump Types

Understanding how surface pumps compare to others can help you choose the right equipment for your system.

Surface Pump vs Submersible Pump

Surface pumps stay dry above water; submersible pumps are placed underwater.

✅ Use surface pumps for easy maintenance and shallow water lifting.

✅ Use submersible pumps for deeper wells or submerged pumping.

Surface Pump vs Centrifugal Pump

Many surface pumps use centrifugal force to move water.

✅ Use centrifugal surface pumps for clean, high-volume water transfer.

✅ Use other centrifugal pumps when flow consistency and low viscosity are key.

Surface Pump vs Trash Pump

Trash pumps are designed to pass solids; surface pumps are not.

✅ Use surface pumps for clean to slightly dirty water.

✅ Use trash pumps for water with debris or sludge.

Surface Pump vs Diaphragm Pump

Diaphragm pumps handle chemicals and can run dry; surface pumps usually cannot.

✅ Use diaphragm pumps for dosing, chemicals, or slurry.

✅ Use surface pumps for water transfer and irrigation tasks.

Read our blog for more information on surface pumps compared to other common pump types.

Types of Surface Pumps

There are several types of surface pumps to choose from, based on flow rate, lift height, and fluid type:

1. Centrifugal Surface Pumps

Use rotating impellers to move water. Great for high flow, low pressure tasks like irrigation or HVAC systems.

2. Jet Pumps

Use suction and pressure to draw water from wells or tanks. Often used in residential systems.

3. Self-Priming Pumps

Designed to re-prime automatically after losing prime. Great for systems with intermittent use.

4. Positive Displacement Surface Pumps

Use pistons, diaphragms, or gears to move a fixed amount of fluid per cycle. Ideal for viscous or metered fluids.

Common Applications of Surface Pumps

Surface pumps are used in a variety of sectors that depend on efficient fluid movement. Key applications include:

• Agricultural Irrigation: Drawing water from lakes or ponds for crop watering.

• Construction Dewatering: Removing accumulated groundwater from sites. In some heavy-duty dredging or land reclamation scenarios, surface pumps may work alongside high-volume centrifugal pumps like excavator-mounted dredge pumps to move large quantities of water and sediment efficiently.

• Municipal Water Transfer: Moving treated water to storage or distribution tanks.

• Industrial Processes: Supporting fluid processing equipment or chemical mixing.

• Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
  : Surface pumps may work alongside mud pumps to manage return fluids and tank transfers.

Surface pumps are also commonly paired with grinder pumps or well pump replacement systems to manage wastewater or pressure feed requirements.