What types of industrial water pumps are most frequently used in South Africa? Which brands are reliable for industrial use?
This guide will walk you through the main types of pumps used by mines, boiler feeds in factories, large scale water plants, and manufacturing plants.
We go on to discuss:
- Our experience with manufacturers and pump brands
- Pricing of industrial water pumps
- How to select the right pump for your operations
Choosing the right pump can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and save costs.
Industrial High Pressure & High Volume Water Pumps
It’s good to understand that there is generally a trade-off here, although some pump types do a medium job of both pressure and volume,:
Generally, pumps that excel at high pressure move less fluid, while pumps that move massive volumes generate lower pressure.
1. High pressure water pumps
High pressure pumps are ideal for cleaning surfaces, boosting water systems, or supporting specialized industrial processes.
These pumps are built to withstand demanding environments, often using robust materials like stainless steel or cast iron.
- Positive Displacement Pump, specifically the reciprocating type is best for high-pressure applications.
They are capable of generating immense pressure (thousands of PSI).
- Plunger Type Pumps – good for extreme pressure applications like water jet cutting, pressure washing, and heavy industrial cleaning.
This design is robust and handles the highest pressures (often 10,000 to 40,000+ PSI).
- Multistage Centrifugal pumps: Standard centrifugal pumps are low pressure, but if you stack many impellers in a row (stages), you get a Multistage Centrifugal Pump.
These are commonly used for Boiler Feed pumps, where you need both high pressure and moderately high flow.
2. High volume water pumps
Used when large quantities of water need to be moved efficiently.
Common applications include municipal water supply, mining dewatering, and irrigation.
These pumps are built for reliability and long operational life under continuous use.
- Centrifugal Pumps are the most commonly used for general water supply, also for fire protection, and HVAC. Excellent balance of good flow and moderate pressure.
- Propeller Pumps (Axial Flow) are best for the highest volume applications. Flood control, dewatering large areas, and power plant cooling water. They move massive amounts of water but at very low pressure (low head).
- Mixed Flow Pumps are a hybrid between Axial and Centrifugal. Best for agricultural irrigation and sewage. High flow with medium pressure capabilities.
Not sure what water pump type you need?
Tell us what you need to do – Contact us for specialist pump advice.
Types of Industrial Water Pumps:
These are the industrial pump types most commonly used in South Africa.
1. Industrial Submersible Water Pump
Submersible pumps are fully submerged in the fluid they handle, making them ideal for pumping wastewater, mining water, or any application requiring immersion.
Heavy cast iron submersible pumps are durable and ideal for drainage, effluent, sewage and mining applications.
Stainless steel submersible pumps are used in all industries, as they offer corrosion resistance and durability, and especially in food and beverage.
A popular stainless Steel Submersible Pump - Evak 3 kW 400V Effluent Pump
2. Stainless Steel Centrifugal Pump
Submersible models handle water at depth, while centrifugal pumps move water horizontally with high efficiency.
Stainless steel pumps are ideal for corrosive or hygienic environments, including food processing, chemical plants, and water treatment.
A reliable stainless Steel Centrifugal Pump - Ebara DWO pump with open Impeller
3. Vertical Pumps
Vertical pumps are typically used in sumps, tanks, or deep wells.
They are designed to save space while providing efficient pumping for industrial applications such as water treatment, power plants, and mining.
Tesk offers a wide range of Vertical Pumps – a Tesk 18.5kW Vertical Multistage Pump
4. Industrial Water Booster Pump
Booster pumps maintain or increase water pressure in industrial systems.
A booster system is used in multi-story buildings, large manufacturing facilities, and water distribution networks where consistent pressure is critical.
A popular Dab 2KVC Booster Set that will lift water for small industrial or commercial use
5. Boiler Feed Pump
Boiler feed pumps push water into a pressurized vessel (the boiler), so they need Pumps that can handle a combination of high temperature and high pressure.
A Multi-stage centrifugal pump is the best design for this. They must meet high standards for pressure handling and reliability.
- For light use, a vertical multi-stage centrifugal pump is best
- For medium power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants, a horizontal multi-stage centrifugal pump is recommended
- Large-scale power plants require a specialised custom pump
6. Pneumatic Diaphragm Pump
This pump uses Compressed Air instead of an electric motor. The air pushes a flexible diaphragm left and right. It’s best for Hazardous areas: Since it runs on air (not electricity), there is no spark risk and if the tank runs empty, this pump will just keep cycling without damage.
These pumps are used for transferring chemicals, emptying tanks, solvents, paint, construction sites.
A popular Pneumatic Diaphragm Pump - the BSK 2 Inch
How to Choose the Right Industrial Water Pump
Selecting the correct pump requires careful consideration:
- Flow Rate and Pressure Requirements:
The pump should deliver the required water volume and pressure for your application. - Fluid Type:
Consider whether you are pumping clean water, wastewater, chemicals, or abrasive fluids. - Material:
Stainless steel or cast iron pumps provide durability and corrosion resistance, critical for long-term performance. - Installation Environment:
Consider what the effect of temperature extremes, submersion, and chemical exposure will be. - Maintenance and Service:
Even without detailed maintenance tips, consider pumps with accessible service parts and a reliable supplier network.
If you would like us to ask us about a particular brand, or recommend an industrial water pump that will work for your application, feel free to ask.
Please Contact us here for advice.
Industrial water pumps being prepared at our Fourways, Johannesburg workshop.
Industrial Water Pump Price - What to Expect
In South Africa, in 2026 industrial water pump prices can range from R7 500 for smaller units to R200 000 or more for high-capacity systems, depending on specifications and the manufacturer.
Pricing varies depending on pump type, capacity, material, and brand.
Generally:
- High Pressure and High Volume Pumps: Typically higher-priced due to robust construction and large output.
- Submersible and Stainless Steel Pumps: Premium materials and corrosion resistance add to the cost.
- Boiler Feed and Booster Pumps: Prices reflect engineering precision and pressure-handling capability.
You can shop online and see pump specifications here.
Top Industrial Pump Manufacturers List
As experienced suppliers* of the top brands, who also provide support and repairs from our workshop, here is our list of the top manufacturers of industrial pumps.
We find these manufacturers produce high-quality pumps that function reliably over the longer term.
- Grundfos
- Dab
- BSK
- Calpeda
- Pentax
- Ebara
- Evak
- Vega
- Tesk
- Wilo
* At AfriPumps, Richard Austin-Williams, Cara Austin-Williams and Iban Erasmus have a combined 48+ years’ experience working with water pumps.
Next Steps
You can shop online and see industrial pump specifications here.
OR
Contact us here and ask our advice, tell us about your pump application.
