5 Signs Your Bore Pump Needs an Upgrade

Bore pumps are the hardworking heart of your water supply system, drawing essential groundwater for irrigation, livestock, or household use. Like any piece of machinery, however, bore pumps have a finite lifespan. Over time, wear and tear can take a toll, leading to a decline in performance and reliability. Timely upgrades or replacements are crucial, waiting until a pump fails completely can leave you suddenly without water and facing costly emergency repairs.

At Wallace Irrigation, we’ve seen firsthand how proactive maintenance and timely pump upgrades can prevent disaster. In this post, we outline five key warning signs that your bore pump may be nearing the end of its life. By recognising these signs early and acting on them, you can avoid unplanned downtime and ensure a consistent, efficient water supply for your property.

1. Reduced Water Flow or Pressure

One of the earliest indicators of a struggling bore pump is a noticeable drop in water flow or pressure. If your sprinklers aren’t spraying as far as they used to or it takes much longer to fill a tank, something is likely amiss with the pump’s performance. There are several possible causes for reduced flow or pressure:

Pump wear and tear: Internal components (like impellers) wear down over years of use, making the pump less efficient at moving water.
Clogs or blockages: Sediment, mineral buildup, or debris can partially block the pump intake or pipes, restricting water flow and pressure.
Lower water table: If the groundwater level has dropped, the pump may struggle to draw enough water, resulting in sputtering or weak output.
Leaks in the system: A cracked pipe or leaky connection in your irrigation system can reduce end-point pressure, often making the pump work harder to compensate.

Risks of ignoring it: Don’t shrug off a gradual loss of pressure. A pump that struggles to meet demand often runs longer and hotter, accelerating wear on the motor. Ignoring this sign could lead to the pump overheating or even burning out. You might also find yourself unexpectedly without water at critical times if the pump fails completely. Addressing flow issues early can save you from a sudden breakdown and ensure your operations continue smoothly.

2. Strange Noises from the Pump

Modern bore pumps typically operate with a steady, quiet hum. When that smooth sound is replaced by grinding, rattling, screeching, or other unusual noises, it’s a clear warning that the pump is in distress. Odd sounds coming from the pump (whether it’s a submersible unit down the bore or a motor at the surface) often point to mechanical problems:

Worn bearings or motor parts: A whirring or grinding noise could mean bearings are worn out or failing, causing metal-on-metal friction.
Damaged impeller or debris: Rattling or crunching sounds might indicate a broken impeller, or that debris and grit are circulating through the pump.
Cavitation: If air gets into the system (for instance, due to low water levels or a leak drawing in air), the pump may make a sputtering or sucking noise as it struggles to pump both air and water.
Loose components: Vibrating or clanking sounds can result from loosened bolts or mounts, which often happen as equipment ages or wasn’t installed securely.

Risks of ignoring it: Unusual noises are often the prelude to more serious failures. A bearing on its last legs can seize up and stop the motor, and a cracked impeller can disintegrate and send fragments through your system. If you ignore these sounds, you risk a sudden pump shutdown and possibly further damage to connected pipes or electrical components. It’s far safer (and cheaper) to have a professional inspect a noisy pump than to wait for it to fail catastrophically.

3. Increased Energy Bills

A spike in your energy costs without a change in your water usage is another red flag that your bore pump may need an upgrade. As pumps age or encounter problems, they often lose efficiency and draw more power to do the same job. You might notice the pump running longer than it used to, or cycling on and off more frequently, all of which uses extra electricity. Common reasons a pump starts consuming excess energy include:

Declining pump efficiency: Components like motors and impellers become worn or fouled over time, meaning the pump has to work harder (and use more electricity) to maintain the usual flow.
Pressure system issues: A failing pressure tank or pressure switch can cause the pump to cycle too often (short cycling) or run continuously, driving up energy usage.
Blockages or mechanical strain: The same clogs that reduce water flow can make the pump motor strain and draw more power. Similarly, if a part is misaligned or damaged, the pump may need extra energy to overcome the added friction or resistance.
Outdated pump technology: Older pumps generally are less energy-efficient than modern models. If your pump is decades old, newer pumps on the market could deliver the same output with significantly lower power consumption.

Risks of ignoring it: Paying higher power bills is essentially paying for wasted energy. If the pump is straining, that extra stress can quickly turn into a mechanical failure, meaning you’d pay for both the wasted electricity and a hefty repair or replacement when the pump breaks. By addressing the issue (often by upgrading to a new, energy-efficient pump), you’ll not only cut down on electricity costs but also gain peace of mind that your pump isn’t on the verge of burning out.

4. Water Quality Issues (Sediment, Discolouration)

Your bore pump should deliver clean, clear water. If you start seeing murky water, sand, sediment, or a rusty tint coming out of your taps or irrigation lines, it’s a strong sign something is wrong. Changes in water quality can be alarming and often trace back to pump or well problems:

Sediment infiltration: A well’s screen (which filters out sand and grit) might be damaged, or the pump could be positioned too low in the bore, causing it to pull up sand and silt. An aging pump can also have worn seals that let sediment into the water.
Rust, corrosion or internal damage: Brown or reddish discolouration often comes from corroding metal parts in the pump or pipes. As the pump’s components break down (for example, rusting casings or disintegrating seals), they can shed debris into the water and even encourage iron bacteria slime.
Pump overuse or low water: If a pump is struggling (for example, running too fast for the bore or pumping water from near the bottom of the well), it can disturb sediment that normally settles at the bottom, leading to cloudy water.

Risks of ignoring it: Poor water quality isn’t just unpleasant or potentially unhealthy, it’s also a threat to your entire irrigation system. Gritty water can clog drip lines, sprinkler heads, and valves, and it will continue to grind down your pump’s insides like sandpaper. Ignoring sediment or discolouration can lead to more severe pump damage and even contaminate storage tanks or filters down the line. Plus, if the water is for livestock or domestic use, quality issues could pose health risks. It’s vital to investigate the cause promptly; you may need to replace the pump or repair the well to protect your water supply.

5. Frequent Breakdowns and Repairs

Every machine has a breaking point. If your bore pump has needed multiple repairs in a short span of time or has frequent hiccups (like tripping breakers, failing to start, or losing prime often), it’s a strong indication the pump is nearing the end of its service life. Think of it like an old car that’s now spending more time in the shop than on the road. Some common reasons for repeated pump troubles include:

Old age and wear: Most bore pumps are built to last many years, but none last forever. After a decade or more of use, critical components wear out, and parts may start failing one after another, a clear sign the entire unit is worn beyond reliable service.
Harsh operating conditions: Pumps that have been pushed to their limits, for instance, frequently running 24/7, or pumping abrasive water with high sediment, will degrade faster. This can lead to a cycle of one component after another giving out.
Improper sizing or installation: If the pump was not the right specification for the bore or was installed poorly, it might have been under extra stress from the start, leading to frequent issues throughout its life.
Lack of maintenance: Infrequent servicing can allow small problems (like worn seals or minor motor issues) to grow. Over time, this negligence can result in multiple failures happening in close succession.

Risks of ignoring it: Constant repairs are not only costly but also a sign that a sudden complete failure is likely on the horizon. If you’re frequently fixing your pump, you risk being caught off guard by a total breakdown, probably at the worst possible time, like peak irrigation season or a dry spell. Moreover, the cumulative cost of many small fixes can easily exceed the price of a new pump. Instead of pouring money into an old, unreliable unit, upgrading to a new bore pump will provide reliability and save you stress (and expense) in the long run.

Don’t Wait Until It Fails, Take Action Now

A failing bore pump can bring your operation to a standstill, but the good news is that these warning signs give you a chance to act before disaster strikes. If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, reduced water output, strange pump noises, unexplained energy spikes, declining water quality, or repeated breakdowns, don’t wait for things to get worse.

Contact Wallace Irrigation for a professional bore pump assessment and expert advice. Our experienced technicians can inspect your system, diagnose the root cause of any issues, and recommend the best course of action. Whether it’s a maintenance tweak, a repair, or a full pump replacement, we specialise in keeping your water supply reliable and efficient. With our expertise in bore pump supply and maintenance, we’ll help you upgrade or replace your pump before it fails, ensuring you have peace of mind and a steady flow of water when you need it most. Get in touch with Wallace Irrigation today to schedule a bore pump check-up or to discuss an upgrade, and keep your water system running smoothly for years to come.