Quick answer: Choose a borehole pump by three numbers: the yield your borehole can sustain (litres per hour), the total head the pump must lift (dynamic water level plus height to the tank plus pipe friction), and the casing diameter. Then pick a pump whose curve delivers your flow at that head, with the power supply you have, single-phase or three-phase. Never size on the static water level, and never pump more than the borehole yields.
What do I need to know before choosing a borehole pump?
Gather five facts: the borehole depth, the inside diameter of the casing, the sustainable yield from the driller’s test, the dynamic (pumping) water level, and where the water must go. The driller’s report normally has the first four. If you do not have it, get a yield test done before you spend money on a pump.
Pump makers stress the same mistake. Xylem lists sizing on the static water level instead of the dynamic level as a common error, because the level drops while pumping and a pump chosen on the static figure can run dry or run off its curve.
How do I calculate the head a pump must lift?
Total head is the sum of three things:
- Dynamic water level: the depth to the water while pumping, not at rest.
- Delivery height: how far above the borehole collar the water must rise, for example to a tank on a stand.
- Friction and pressure: losses in the pipe plus any pressure you need at the outlet. As a rule of thumb, 10 metres of head equals about 1 bar.
Always add a safety margin and place the pump below the dynamic level with enough submergence. Check the maker’s curve to confirm the pump delivers your flow at that total head.
Worked example: a smallholding near Polokwane
The driller reports a sustainable yield of 2,500 litres per hour, a static level of 38 m and a dynamic level of 55 m. The water goes to a 5,000 L tank 8 m above the collar, with about 5 m of pipe friction.
Total head is 55 + 8 + 5 = 68 m. The pump must deliver about 2,000 L/h at 68 m, running below the 2,500 L/h yield so the borehole is not drained. The Vega 4 inch borehole pump combo kit is listed at 2,000 L/h for 47 to 81 m, so 68 m sits inside its range. At R4,646 that is a good starting point for this kind of job. Running it for 2.5 hours fills a 5,000 L tank.
A rough power check: lifting 2 m3 per hour through 68 m takes about 0.37 kW of hydraulic power, and small pumps are typically well under 50% efficient, so expect an electrical draw of under 1 kW. That is an estimate, so always read the nameplate on the pump you buy.
3 inch, 4 inch or 6 inch: which borehole pump size?
The pump must fit the casing with room to spare, and the motor needs water flowing past it for cooling. Xylem warns that cooling suffers in oversized bores, in very narrow ones and when the pump sits below the screen inlet, and a cooling sleeve may be needed.
| Pump size | Typical use | Kamano example | Head range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 inch | Homes, gardens, small stock water, deep and narrow holes | Vega 3 inch combo kit, 2,000 L/h | 30 to 100 m | R2,990 |
| 4 inch | Smallholdings, irrigation, larger homes | Vega 4 inch combo kit, 2,000 L/h | 47 to 81 m | R4,646 |
| 6 inch | Farms, mines, municipal supply, high flow | SP60-06 6 inch pump | up to 84 m | R6,016 |
| 6 inch (deep) | Deep boreholes with high lift | SP60-10 6 inch pump | up to 140 m | R8,760 |
Check the internal diameter of your casing against the pump diameter on the product page before ordering. Our borehole pumps range lists dimensions and power for each model.
Single-phase or three-phase: which should I choose?
Smaller pumps usually run on ordinary 230 V single-phase supply, which most homes have. Bigger pumps and larger flows are normally driven by 400 V three-phase motors, which suit farms, mines and any site that already has three-phase power. Check the voltage and current on the listing, and match them to your supply and your cable.
Cable matters more than most buyers expect. Xylem notes that an undersized cable on a long run causes voltage drop, which makes the motor draw more current, overheat and risk insulation failure. Size the cable for the motor’s amps and the distance to the pump, ideally with an electrician.
Do I need a controller, pressure vessel or VSD?
Yes, in most cases. A controller protects the motor and a pressure vessel stops the pump switching on and off at every tap. Variable-speed drives smooth out pressure and cope with a falling water level, but they must be set correctly: Xylem advises not running below 30 Hz or the pump’s minimum, because low speeds can leave the motor under-cooled.
- Y1 digital borehole pump controller, 1.1 to 7.5 kW: R2,280.
- 100 L pressure vessel, 8 bar: R2,011.
- Pressure switch, 1 to 6 bar: R110. See all pump controllers and VSDs.
What are the most common borehole pump mistakes?
- Pumping more than the borehole gives. If the pump outruns the yield, the level falls to the intake and the pump runs dry. Match the flow to the tested yield, or fit a tank so the pump runs in short cycles.
- Ignoring sand. Sand and grit wear impellers and shorten pump life, so tell your supplier if the water is silty and choose a sand-tolerant pump.
- Buying on price per kW. A pump that is wrong for your head will waste electricity every day, however cheap it was.
- Skipping the tank. A storage tank lets a small pump run steadily over many hours instead of forcing a big one to chase peak demand.
What does a borehole pump set-up cost in 2026?
For a typical home or smallholding the pump is only part of the bill. Budget for the pump, a controller or pressure switch, a pressure vessel, drop pipe and cable, and storage.
- Pump: from R2,990 (3 inch kit) to R4,646 (4 inch kit), or R6,016 and up for 6 inch models.
- Controls: R110 for a pressure switch up to R2,280 for a digital controller.
- Storage: a 5,000 L vertical tank is R4,452 (see the water tanks range).
Eskom direct customers saw an 8.8% increase from 1 April 2026, and municipal tariffs were expected to rise by around 9% in July 2026, according to BusinessTech. If running costs worry you, our solar borehole pump guide and the solar pumps range show how to cut the power bill.
Do I need to register my borehole?
According to Outa, quoting the Department of Water and Sanitation, households using borehole water for reasonable domestic use, including a small non-commercial garden, do not need to register under the current process, and there is no set volume threshold for domestic use. Commercial, agricultural, industrial and other high-volume users must register with the relevant Catchment Management Agency. Municipal by-laws are separate, so check with your municipality.
How does delivery work?
Kamano delivers with its own trucks to all 9 provinces in 1 to 3 business days. Fees are by order weight, VAT included: R550 up to 30 kg, R950 up to 60 kg and R1,450 up to 100 kg, and anything over 100 kg is quoted. Orders of R20,000 or more get free delivery with coupon code KH027 (the code does not work below R20,000). See delivery to Johannesburg for an example of how it works for Gauteng. Payment is by EFT. For trade and bulk quotes use the quote page, call or WhatsApp +27 73 679 0837, or email sales@kamanoindustrial.co.za.
Buying from outside South Africa?
Kamano’s standard delivery covers South Africa only. Buyers in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho should contact Kamano before ordering to discuss cross-border options.
Sources
- Xylem: 5 mistakes when selecting a borehole pump
- BusinessTech: electricity tariff increases for 2026/27
- Outa: DWS confirms most household borehole users do not need to register
Frequently asked questions
How do I know what size borehole pump I need?
You need three numbers: the sustainable yield from the driller’s test, the total head (dynamic water level plus delivery height plus friction), and the casing diameter. Pick a pump that delivers your flow at that head, below the yield, and fits the casing with room for motor cooling.
What is the difference between static and dynamic water level?
Static level is the depth to water when the pump is off. Dynamic level is the depth while pumping, and it is deeper because the water drops. Size the pump on the dynamic level, otherwise it can run dry or deliver less water than you expect.
Should I buy a single-phase or three-phase borehole pump?
Match the pump to the supply you have. Smaller pumps run on 230 V single-phase, while bigger, higher-flow pumps usually run on 400 V three-phase. Check the voltage and current on the listing, and size the cable for the motor’s amps and the cable length.
Do I have to register my borehole in South Africa?
According to Outa, citing the Department of Water and Sanitation, households using a borehole for reasonable domestic use, including a small non-commercial garden, do not need to register. Commercial, agricultural and industrial users must register with their Catchment Management Agency. Check municipal by-laws too.