Private Well Pump Basics: Submersible vs. Jet Pumps

Private Well Pump Basics: Submersible vs. Jet Pumps

If your home in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico or Utah runs on a private well, the pump is the heart of your water supply. This guide explains the two common pump types and what to ask before you buy or replace one.

Know your well first

The pump has to fit the well. Before comparing models, get the facts from your well records or a licensed well and pump contractor: depth, water level, tested yield, and household demand.

A University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publication on shared wells makes a useful point: total gallons per day that a well can supply matters more than the gpm rate alone. It says wells with limited capacity need storage tanks, and booster pumps then supply flow and pressure at peak times, typically morning and evening. Arizona sets no minimum yield, and the publication notes a well can serve several homes at about five gpm. That example concerns shared wells, but the same thinking helps single-home owners.

Jet pumps

Per a Connecticut Department of Public Health presentation for well drillers and pump installers:

• A standard jet can pump up to 25 feet of vacuum; multi-stage deep well jets reach up to 220 feet of head.
• The pump sits above ground, so it is accessible if something goes wrong. One pipe runs to the well for a shallow jet, two for a deep well jet.
• Jets need priming, which can be challenging, and a foot valve is required.
• They are noisy compared with a submersible.
• They need no special equipment to install, and are described as cost effective.

Submersible pumps

From the same source:

• They can pump from greater depths than jets.
• They sit in the well, out of reach of owners, and are quiet.
• They are easier to install than deep well jet pumps.

The slides do not compare servicing cost or give a specific depth figure for submersibles. Ask your contractor for depth ratings for the exact model.

Quick comparison

The sources above give no prices, and costs depend on depth and installation.

Pressure tanks and storage

Many homes pair the pump with a pressure tank, so the pump does not start every time you open a tap. The sources I reviewed did not give sizing numbers for pressure tanks, so ask your contractor to size the tank and pump together. For low-yield wells, the Arizona publication points to storage tanks.

Desert-specific questions

• Does the water level change seasonally or from neighboring wells?
• Does the water contain sand? Sand wears pumps, so ask about screens and filtration.
• Would storage plus a booster pump suit a low-yield well?
• Is solar power a possibility? We have not verified solar well pump specifics for this article, so ask a local contractor.
• Has the water been tested? Ask your contractor or state agency how.

Maintenance and who to call

The Arizona publication says there are no state, local or industry standards for inspecting private or shared wells, and that some owners inspect yearly while others only at sale. Most inspections are done by well and pump contractors. Arizona requires wells drilled after the early 1980s to be drilled by ADWR-licensed drillers. Rules in Nevada, New Mexico and Utah are not covered here, so check with your state agency.

Pump replacement, wiring, pressure switches and controls involve electricity and water together. Hire a licensed well and pump contractor and a licensed electrician.

Signs it is time to call a pro

• Pressure that surges or drops
• A pump that cycles often or runs constantly
• Air or sand in the water
• A sudden change in water level or yield

See equipment in person

NGWA Groundwater Week runs December 8-10, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

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General information only. Hire a licensed well and pump contractor and a licensed electrician for sizing, installation and wiring.