Water Powered Sump Pump Review by Comparison

Before reviewing and comparing specific water powered sump pump models, it is important to understand how they compare to other pump types, if they are reliable, if they are right for you and your house, and their pros and cons, so that the model specification differences are easier to understand. Not all water powered sump pumps are the same. Their differences will help you do find the best water powered backup sump pump for your water pumping needs.

A water powered sump pump is right for your house if you can say 'yes' to the following three questions: 1) Does the city place restrictions (limitations) on fresh water usage? 2) Is the city water pressure high enough? 3) Is the water powered sump pump GPH high enough?

Does The City Place Restrictions On Fresh Water Usage?

Is The City Water Pressure High Enough?

Is The Water Powered Sump Pump GPH High Enough?

- The water powered sump pump GPH is high enough it if matches the GPH of your primary sump pump.

- To know more accurately the GPH needed, the next time there is a heavy rainstorm, check how frequently the primary sump pump runs in one minute.

- . If the sump pit is 18 inches in diameter and the sump pump cycles every 10 seconds, assume 5 to 6 gallons of water is pumped every cycle and in one minute 50 to 60 gallons are pumped from the pit. The GPH would be 3,000 to 3,600 gallons of water pumped in one hour.

There are more detailed methods to get more accurate results for the GPH needed. Check these detailed methods to more accurately measure the GPH needed.

If your answer is 'yes' to the question, Is A Water Powered Sump Pump Right For You, this is good news because a water powered sump pump offers at least 5 advantages as a backup sump pump.

1) Unlike a battery powered backup sump pump, a water powered sump pump has very few moving parts.

2) There is no battery that depletes or wears out.

3) The pump runs automatically and stops when no longer needed.

4) The pump is very reliable

5) A water powered pump lasts at least 10 years. Base Products Corporation says their pumps generally last around 25 years.

The water powered sump pump design is simple. It has a few moving parts and the heart of the pump, the ejector jet which is not submersed in water, has no moving parts at all and thus will not wear down with use. There is no large control box, electrical wires and batteries to contend with. There is only a suction tube that is inserted into the pit itself to suck up the water and discharge it away from the house.

So the deciding factor is: does the city allow installation of a water powered sump pump and will its performance meet your water pumping needs and budget.

A water powered sump pump design refers to its look and placement options. There are two basic designs: 1) Placement of the system just above the pit or 2) Attachment to the ceiling joists.

- The Zoeller 540-0005 Flex, Base Pumps RB750, RB750-EZ, HB1000, HB1000PRO and CB15000, and Star Water Systems STWB140 water powered systems can be attached to the ceiling rafters.

- The Liberty Pump SJ10 and BurCam 747H20 and 300400ZN are placed just above the pit.

Water powered sump pumps are not robust when it comes to pumping performance. Their pumping performing is comparable to a one-fourth and one-third horse power primary sump pump. Their GPH depends upon the water pressure PSI. The least amount of PSI required is 40 pounds. Ninety pounds is the maximum PSI for effective pumping.

Base Products Corporation Model CB1500 has the greatest pumping capacity regardless of PSI and vertical lift height. Zoeller 540-0005 Flex and Star Water Systems STWB140 and Base Product Corporation HB1000 and HB1000-PRO come in as close seconds.

Pumping Performance By PSI At A 10 Foot Vertical Height

The model offering the most pumping capacity with 40 PSI at a vertical height of 10 feet is the Base Product Corporation CB1500 which pumps 23.3 GPM. Base Product Corporation HB1000 and HB1000-PRO pump 15.8 GPM. The Zoeller 540-0005 Flex and Star Water Systems STWB140 pump 12.7 GPM. Base Product Corporation RB750 and RB750-EZ pump 11.7 GPM. Liberty Pumps SJ10 and BurCam 747H20 pump 10 GPM.

The model offering the most pumping capacity with 60 PSI at a vertical height of 10 feet is the Base Product Corporation CB1500 which pumps 25 GPM. The Zoeller 540-0005 Flex and Star Water Systems STWB140 pump 19 GPM. Base Product Corporation HB1000 and HB1000-PRO pump 16.67 GPM. Liberty Pumps SJ10 pumps 10 GPM. BurCam 300400 Contractors Buddy pump 15.8 GPM. BurCam 747H20 pumps 15.1 GPM. Base Product Corporation RB750 and RB750-EZ pump 12.5 GPM.

The model offering the most pumping capacity with 80 PSI at a vertical height of 10 feet is the Base Product Corporation CB1500 which pumps 28.3 GPM. The Zoeller 540-0005 Flex and Star Water Systems STWB140 and Base Product Corporation HB1000 and HB1000-PRO pump 20 GPM. BurCam 747H20 Guardian pumps 18.5 GPM. Base Product Corporation RB750 and RB750-EZ pump 13.3 GPM. Liberty Pumps SJ10 pump performance was not listed for 90 PSI.

Water pumps are designed to use 1 gallon of city water for every 2 gallons of water removed from the pit. When pumping continuously it takes slightly less city water to remove 2 gallons of water.

Liberty Pumps SJ10 with the Wi-Fi module is the only water powered sump pump that can be purchased as Wi-Fi enabled: the model is known as SJ10A-EYE.

All water powered sump pumps can be made Wi-Fi enabled by purchasing a Wi-Fi enabled water alarm.

Base Products Corporation offers the longest warranty for its water powered sump pumps: a 5 year warranty. Zoeller, and Liberty Pumps offer a 3 year warranty. Star Water Systems and BurCam offer a 2 year warranty.

Zoeller, Liberty Pumps, Base Pumps Base Products Corporation and Star Water Systems water powered sump pumps are made in the USA. BurCam pumps are made in Canada.

The cost of the water powered sump pump system varies by brand and the contents included in the kit also varies.

Base Products Corporation includes the ejector pump, the float system, the suction tube, a backflow preventer, shutoff valve ball type, a push-fit tee, a push-in male adapter, PVC pipe and water alarm.

Burcam includes the ejector pump, the float system, the suction tube.

Liberty Pumps includes the ejector pump, the float system, the suction tube and a push-fit tee with the SJ10. If the SJ10A is purchased a water alarm included. The SJ10A-Eye includes the water alarm and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Star Water Systems includes the ejector pump, the float system, the suction tube and a push-fit tee.

Zoeller includes the ejector pump, the float system, the suction tube and a push-fit tee.

When adding a backflow preventer (approximately $40, a shut off valve (preventer (approximately $15), and water alarm (approximately $45), the total cost for the water powered sump pumps can be very similar, except the BurCam water powered sump pumps are more costly.

Our recommended water powered sump pumps are the Zoeller 540-0005 Flex and the BasePump RB750 and HB1000. These pumps use the new design allowing the pump to be installed in the ceiling rafters out of the way and out of sight. They have the highest GPM pump performance consistently and are highly rated by consumers. The Base Pumps have a 5 year warranty which is very attractive. The Liberty SJ10 is very popular; however it's GPM is less.

Water powered sump pumps are great pumps because there are so maintenance free and they run automatically for as long as needed. There is no need to worry about battery depletion or replacement during a heavy rainstorm.

Whichever model you choose make sure the city water pressure is great enough and the pumping performance needed is great enough because without this a water powered sump pump will not keep up with the water flowing into the sump basin during a heavy rainstorm when the electricity is out.

If you know how an electric powered sump pump works, understanding how a water powered sump pump is not difficult. The real difference is their source of power used and how the water pump uses the city water as that source of power.

Unlike a primary sump pump that relies on electricity, a motor and impeller to empty the pit water, a water powered sump pump relies on water pressure, and an ejector jet to generate enough suction to pull water out of the pit through the suction tube into the discharge pipe and away from the house. The water powered pump relies on a float system to tell the ejector jet to begin allowing city water to flow through it. As the city water flows through the ejector jet head it slows the city water pressure down causing the pit water to be sucked up the suction tube, through the discharge pipe to its intended away from the pit destination. The pumping process is so simple, requires few parts and can run for days when water in the pit is high enough to cause float system to activate the ejector jet with begins the Venturi effect of drawing basin water from the basin.

See How the Water Powered Sump Pump Works.

Here's a quick video that demonstrates how a water powered sump pump works.

Is A Backflow Preventer Required For A Water Powered Sump Pump?

The best way to find out if a backflow preventer is required for a water powered sump pump is to check with the local public works department. Even if a backflow preventer is not necessary, installing one is the caring and responsible thing to do. It keeps dirty pit water from back flowing into fresh city water.

Does A Water Powered Sump Pump Require Maintenance?

Water powered sump pump maintenance is necessary, but easy. Periodically the screen at the end of the suction tube which extends into the basin and the ejector jet head need cleaning. If the sump pit is debris free, the suction screen will not be plugged and need cleaning.

How Long Do Water Powered Sump Pumps Last?

A water powered sump pump lasts at least 10 years. Base Pump Corporation claims their water powered backup pumps will last 25 years or longer. This is longer than a battery backup sump will last. The longevity of a water powered sump pump is because they have few moving parts to fail. Their design is very simple. When they do need replacement, the water supply line already exists. Only the ejector jet, suction tube or backflow preventer need replacement.

To increase the effectiveness of a water powered sump pump, a backflow preventer is recommended. A backflow preventer keeps the pit water from flowing backwards into the city fresh water supply line.

Adding a high water alarm is also recommended so the home owner knows the water powered pump is running.

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