River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package
Complete pump package for using water from a river, lake or well to supply a garden or landscape irrigation system. Built around the DAB Divertron 900X auto-start submersible pump, the kit includes the pump, suspension equipment, filtration and 25m of 25mm MDPE pipe, providing a pressurised water supply for sprinklers, drip irrigation or an automated irrigation system.
From: £961.00 (excl VAT)
From: £1,153.20 (inc VAT)
Code: EPPKLR
Free Economy delivery on orders over £150 + vat
Spec sheets
Product details
Why choose a river and lake irrigation pump package?
If you want to use water from a river, lake or well for irrigation, the pump is only one part of the system. The River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package brings together the pump, pipework, filtration and suspension equipment needed to create a reliable pressurised water supply.
At the heart of the package is the DAB Divertron 900X auto-start submersible pump, which can supply sprinklers, drip irrigation and multi-zone automatic irrigation systems.
How does the river and lake pump system work?
The DAB Divertron 900X is an automatic submersible pressure pump. When a tap or irrigation valve opens, pressure in the pipework falls and the pump starts automatically, supplying water through the filter to the irrigation system.
When the valve closes, the system repressurises and the pump automatically switches off. This makes it suitable for both manually operated irrigation and fully automatic systems controlled by irrigation valves and a controller.
What irrigation systems can the pump supply?
The River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package can supply a wide range of garden and landscape irrigation systems, including:
- Portable and lawn sprinklers
- Automatic pop-up sprinkler systems
- Drip irrigation and dripline
- Border and hedge irrigation
- Multi-zone automatic irrigation systems
The amount of irrigation that can operate at one time depends on the pressure required, the height difference from the water source, pipework losses and the flow requirements of the sprinklers or drippers. Larger systems can be divided into separate zones so that only part of the irrigation operates at any one time.
Pump performance
The package uses the DAB Divertron 900X, which provides the following typical performance:
| Operating head | Approximate flow |
|---|---|
| 20m | 4.1m³/hr |
| 30m | 3.1m³/hr |
| 40m | 1.65m³/hr |
Actual flow and pressure at the irrigation system will depend on the elevation, pipe length and diameter, filtration and the operating pressure required by the irrigation equipment.
How much water can I take from a river or lake?
Taking water from a river, lake or other surface water source is known as water abstraction. In England, you can generally abstract up to 20 cubic metres (20,000 litres) per day as part of a single operation without requiring an Environment Agency abstraction licence. If water is taken from the same source at several points, the combined quantity counts towards this limit.
As an example, an irrigation system using 2,000 litres per hour could operate for up to 10 hours before reaching 20,000 litres. Larger abstractions are likely to require an abstraction licence.
Rules can vary according to the water source and circumstances, so always check the latest Environment Agency guidance on water abstraction. You can also read our guide to using natural water sources for irrigation.
Can I use river or lake water during a hosepipe ban?
A hosepipe ban, officially known as a Temporary Use Ban, restricts certain uses of water supplied by a water company. It does not normally apply in the same way to water that you have legally abstracted yourself from a river, lake or other private water source.
However, restrictions on water abstraction are separate from hosepipe bans and additional restrictions can apply during drought conditions. Any conditions attached to an abstraction licence must also be followed.
Even where abstraction is permitted, water should be used responsibly. Correctly designed sprinkler systems, drip irrigation and automatic controllers can help apply water efficiently and minimise waste.
Automating irrigation from a river or lake
The River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package can be combined with an irrigation controller and electrically operated valves to create a fully automatic system. Because the Divertron responds automatically to changes in pressure, the controller does not need to switch the pump itself on and off.
For a typical multi-zone system:
- The controller opens the valve for an irrigation zone.
- The resulting pressure drop starts the pump automatically.
- The sprinklers or drip irrigation operate for the programmed time.
- When the final valve closes, the system repressurises and the pump switches off.
Dividing a larger system into zones allows lawns, borders, hedges and other areas to be watered independently without exceeding the available pump flow. A 24V underground irrigation valve manifold provides a neat solution for controlling two or four separate watering zones.
What is included?
The package includes the principal components required between the natural water source and the irrigation system:
-
- DAB Divertron 900X auto-start submersible pump
- Pump isolator switch
- Stainless steel suspension chain to keep the pump clear of sediment on the bottom
- 1″ disc filter to protect the irrigation system from suspended particles
- Buffer vessel – helps protect the pump and stabilise pressure within the irrigation system.
- 25m of 25mm MDPE pipe
For dirtier water sources, consider adding a floating pump inlet, which draws water from just below the surface where it is normally cleaner. Where frequent filter cleaning is likely, the system can also be upgraded with an Amiad semi-automatic filter.
Installation and electrical requirements
The DAB Divertron 900X should be installed vertically and suspended clear of the bottom using the stainless steel chain supplied. This reduces the amount of sediment and debris drawn into the system.
The supplied 25mm MDPE pipe carries water from the pump to the irrigation system. The filter should be installed before any irrigation take-offs or valve manifolds and positioned where it remains accessible for inspection and cleaning.
Electrical supply
The pump requires a suitably protected 230V AC electrical supply and is supplied with 15m of electrical cable. The cable connects to the supplied isolator switch, and the electrical installation should be carried out by a competent person with appropriate electrical protection.
Maintenance and winter protection
The disc filter should be cleaned periodically, with the frequency depending on water quality. Frequent blockage may indicate that a floating inlet or higher-capacity filtration is required.
During freezing weather, exposed pipework and the filter assembly should be depressurised and drained. If the pump is not remaining fully submerged and protected from freezing, it should also be removed and drained.
Technical specification
| Specification | River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package |
|---|---|
| Pump | DAB Divertron 900X |
| Pump type | Automatic multi-impeller submersible pressure pump |
| Electrical supply | 230V AC |
| Motor power | 0.56kW |
| Full-load current | 4.2A |
| Electrical cable | 15m |
| Pump inlet | 1″ BSP female with simple screen filter; optional floating inlet |
| Pump outlet | 1″ BSP female |
| Automatic operation | Built-in pressure switch and electronic control |
| Buffer vessel | Included |
| Dry-run protection | Yes |
| Non-return valve | Built in |
| Installation position | Vertical |
| Main supply pipe | 25mm MDPE |
| Supply pipe included | 25m |
| Main filter | 1″ disc filter |
| Suspension | Stainless steel suspension chain |
| Typical flow at 20m head | 4.1m³/hr |
| Typical flow at 30m head | 3.1m³/hr |
| Typical flow at 40m head | 1.65m³/hr |
| Suitable water sources | Rivers, lakes and wells |
| Typical applications | Sprinklers, drip irrigation and automatic irrigation systems |
For larger or more complex installations, Access Irrigation can help determine whether the River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package will provide the required flow and pressure for the proposed system.
Images are for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pump water from a river or lake to water my garden?
Yes. Water from a river, lake or well can be used to supply a garden or landscape irrigation system, provided you have the right to abstract the water and comply with any applicable abstraction rules. The River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package is designed specifically to create a pressurised irrigation supply from these types of natural water source.
Do I need a licence to pump water from a river or lake?
In England, you can generally abstract up to 20 cubic metres (20,000 litres) of water per day as part of a single operation without an Environment Agency abstraction licence. If you take water from the same source at several points, the combined volume counts towards this limit.
Larger abstractions may require a licence, and different rules can apply depending on the source and circumstances. Always check the latest Environment Agency guidance before installing or operating an abstraction system.
Can I use river or lake water during a hosepipe ban?
A water-company hosepipe ban, or Temporary Use Ban, normally applies to water supplied by the water company and does not automatically prohibit the use of water you have legally abstracted from a private river, lake or other source.
However, separate restrictions on water abstraction can apply during drought conditions, so you should check both the latest Environment Agency guidance and any local restrictions before using abstracted water.
Can the River & Lake Pump Package run garden sprinklers?
Yes. The package can supply a wide range of irrigation equipment including portable sprinklers, lawn sprinklers, pop-up sprinkler systems and landscape irrigation systems.
The number of sprinklers that can operate at the same time depends on their individual flow and pressure requirements, together with the height difference from the water source and pressure losses through the supply pipework.
Can I use the pump with drip irrigation?
Yes. The pump can be used with dripline, border irrigation, hedge watering and other drip irrigation systems.
Depending on the type of drip irrigation being used, additional pressure regulation may be required because many drip systems operate at a lower pressure than sprinkler systems.
Does the pump switch on and off automatically?
Yes. The DAB Divertron 900X is an auto-start submersible pressure pump.
When an irrigation valve or tap opens, pressure in the system falls and the pump starts automatically. When the valve closes, the system repressurises and the pump switches itself off.
This means the pump does not normally need to be switched on manually each time you irrigate.
Can I automate irrigation from a river or lake?
Yes. The River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package can be combined with an irrigation controller and electrically operated valve manifold to create a fully automatic irrigation system.
The controller opens each irrigation zone at the programmed time, the pressure drop automatically starts the pump, and the pump switches off once the final irrigation valve closes.
This is particularly useful for larger gardens where lawns, borders, hedges and drip irrigation may need different watering schedules.
Why does river or lake water need filtering?
Natural water sources can contain sediment, algae, organic material and other suspended particles that may block sprinkler nozzles, drip emitters and irrigation valves.
The River & Lake Irrigation Pump Package therefore includes a 1″ disc filter to protect the downstream irrigation system.
Where the water contains higher levels of debris or sediment, additional filtration, a larger filter or a floating inlet may be recommended.
What is a floating inlet and when would I need one?
A floating inlet allows water to be drawn from just below the surface of a river or lake rather than from close to the bottom.
This can help reduce the amount of sediment drawn into the pump and filtration system, particularly where the bottom of the water source is silty or contains a large amount of organic material.
A floating inlet can be particularly useful where the standard filter needs frequent cleaning.
How should the pump be positioned in the river or lake?
The pump should normally be installed vertically and suspended clear of the bottom using the stainless steel suspension chain supplied with the package.
Keeping the pump away from the bottom reduces the amount of silt and sediment entering the system and helps protect both the pump and downstream irrigation equipment.
