Irrigation Pump Installation covers selecting and fitting a pump that gives your irrigation the flow and pressure it needs. Pumps are used for low municipal pressure, tanks, boreholes, dams and large systems. Professional sizing is site-specific.
Describe your water supply once and compare pump quotes.
Compare Pump QuotesMatching a Pump to the Job
- Flow. The water the largest zone uses.
- Pressure. What the heads or drip need, plus losses in pipe and fittings.
- Lift. Height from the water source to the highest point.
- Source. Tank, borehole, dam or municipal supply.
- Power. Single-phase, three-phase or solar.
Pump Types
| Type | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Booster pump | Raising low municipal or tank pressure |
| Pressure system (pump with controller) | Automatic start on demand |
| Submersible borehole pump | Lifting water from a borehole |
| Centrifugal surface pump | Tanks, dams and larger flows |
| Solar pump | Off-grid or reducing power use |
Controls and Commissioning
- Pump start relay from the irrigation controller.
- Dry-run and low-level protection.
- Pressure switch or variable-speed control.
- Testing flow and pressure at the furthest head.
Electrical connections should be done by a qualified electrician.
How It Works
- Send details of the source and system.
- Contractor tests flow and pressure.
- Pump is sized and quoted.
- Compare and appoint.
- Install, connect, commission and hand over.
Irrigation Pump Prices
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Booster or irrigation pump (retail, unit only) | R1,200 - R20,000 |
| Pressure-boosting pump, supplied | R3,000 - R15,000 |
| Pump installation | R5,000 - R15,000 |
| Booster pump added to an irrigation project | R3,000 - R8,000 |
| Borehole pump | R5,000 - R25,000 |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Ranges compiled from price guides published by South African irrigation, building-cost and quote websites, checked 19 October 2026 and rounded where needed. They are not our prices and no contractor is bound by them. Retail prices are for the unit only. Electrical work, pump housings and tanks are usually extra. Published guides vary widely, so treat the ranges as a sanity check only. None of the sources state whether VAT is included, so confirm VAT on every quote.
Sources:
- Waterhouse (waterpumps.co.za), irrigation and booster pump retail listings (checked October 2026)
- The Handyman Johannesburg, irrigation system installation price (updated February 2026)
- Handyman Pretoria, irrigation system installation price (updated November 2025)
- Enviroleg, irrigation borehole prices (updated January 2026)
What Affects the Price
- Required flow and pressure.
- Source and lift.
- Controls and protection.
- Electrical supply.
What to Send with Your Enquiry
- Water source, and tank size or borehole depth if known.
- Number of zones.
- Power available near the pump.
- Your town or suburb.
Compare pump installers through Irrigation Installation South Africa or see the Irrigation Systems South Africa overview. Related: borehole irrigation systems and rainwater irrigation systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need an irrigation pump?
If measured pressure or flow is too low for your zones, or you water from a tank or borehole. A pressure and flow test answers this.
Can I use my pool pump for irrigation?
Not usually. Pool pumps are built for filtration, not irrigation pressure and duty.
What size pump do I need?
It depends on the flow of your largest zone, the pressure the heads need, pipe losses and lift. Sizing is site-specific.
Can the controller start the pump?
Yes, through a pump start relay, so the pump only runs when a zone is on.
Do irrigation pumps work during load-shedding?
Mains pumps do not. Solar pumps or backup power are options, and schedules can be set around outages.
Related Services
Irrigation Installation South Africa is a free quote-comparison service. Work is assessed, quoted and carried out by independent contractors, and your agreement is with the contractor you appoint. Ask each one for a written quote, what is and is not included, proof of insurance and the payment terms before paying anything.
Irrigation Pump Installation. Compare irrigation pump quotes from independent contractors.
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