A glossary of essential terms & acronyms used in water pumps

Apart from thinking about whether you need a clean water or dirty water pump, a submersible or non-submersible, you need to work out how powerful a pump you need how much lift it gives you and how deep you can lift from. The following terms and acronyms will often be used. 

Look for GPM Discharge Capacity, Vertical Suction Lift and Maximum Head Lift –

here is a brief description of each –

Discharge Capacity  – the speed at which the water flows from the source to the discharge point. 

LPM (Litres Per Minute) is usually the measurement stated for the Discharge Capacity

VSL (Vertical Suction Lift)  – is the vertical distance from the water source to the pump. This is important for draining a basement or deep pond.

Maximum Head Lift – the height from the water source to the drainage point. 

You may well need to consider at least one, if not all three of these when buying your Water Pump.