Casing size, depth limits, and submersible pump compatibility
The Simple Pump Deep Well Hand Pump is designed to work in most modern wells, either as a standalone system or installed alongside an existing submersible pump. This guide explains exactly when your well is compatible and what to look for in casing size, depth, and existing equipment.
Quick Compatibility Overview
- Minimum casing size, Simple Pump alone: 2" nominal
- Minimum casing size, with existing submersible: 4" nominal
- Maximum static water level, hand pump: 325 feet
- Typical maximum motorized depth: 225 feet static water level
- Maximum pump set depth (cylinder placement): About 340 feet
When in doubt, measure carefully and contact Simple Pump support with your well details.
1. Simple Pump Alone (No Existing Electric Pump)
When there is no submersible or jet pump in the well, Simple Pump only needs enough room for its own cylinder and drop pipe.
Minimum requirement:
- 2" nominal casing for Simple Pump alone
The mid sized Simple Pump cylinder (125 series) is about 1.75" outside diameter and fits comfortably inside a 2" casing with proper clearance.
Casing Compatibility – Simple Pump Alone
| Casing Size (Nominal) | Compatible | Max Static Water Level | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2" | Yes | 325 ft | Minimum size for Simple Pump alone, 125 cylinder fits |
| 3" | Yes | 325 ft | Good compatibility, adequate space for installation |
| 4" | Yes | 325 ft | Very common size, excellent compatibility |
| 5" | Yes | 325 ft | Ideal size, plenty of room for tools and drop pipe |
| 6" | Yes | 325 ft | Excellent, ample space for any configuration |
| 8" | Yes | 325 ft | Large casing, room for future upgrades and accessories |
Key point:
These guidelines apply only when there is no existing submersible pump installed.
2. Simple Pump With Existing Submersible Pump
The most common Simple Pump installation is alongside an existing submersible pump, for backup and emergency use. In this case, there must be enough room for:
- Existing submersible pump and pipe
- Simple Pump cylinder and drop pipe
- Required minimum clearance between all components
General rule:
- 4" minimum casing with an existing submersible pump
- Submersible pipe usually must be 1.25" or smaller for 4" casing
Casing Compatibility – With Existing Submersible
| Casing Size (Nominal) | Compatible With Submersible? | Max Static Water Level (Hand) | Typical Motorized Limit | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2" | No | N/A | N/A | Too small for dual pump installation |
| 3" | No | N/A | N/A | Too small for dual pump installation |
| 4" | Often yes | 325 ft | About 225 ft | Minimum size for dual pump, requires 1.25" submersible pipe or smaller and careful clearance checks |
| 4.5" | Often yes | 325 ft | About 225 ft | Many 4.5" wells are good with standard 1.25" submersible pipe and slender fittings |
| 5" | Yes in most cases | 325 ft | About 225 ft | Very good for dual pump systems, more forgiving clearances |
| 6", 6.25", 7", 8" | Almost always yes | 325 ft | About 225 ft | Excellent compatibility, lots of room for both pumps and pitless adapter if used |
Cylinder clearance requirements:
- 125 series cylinder needs about 1.8" clearance
- 100 series cylinder needs about 1.6" clearance
As long as the submersible pump, its pipe, and couplers leave enough open space inside the casing, Simple Pump can usually be installed.
3. Submersible Pipe Size Compatibility
Submersible drop pipe size is a major factor in whether Simple Pump can share the casing.
Submersible Pipe Size and Simple Pump Compatibility
| Submersible Pipe Size | Approx Outside Diameter | Typical Use Case | With Simple Pump? | Casing Recommendation | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | ~1.315" | Light residential | Yes | 4" casing or larger | Best case for tight 4" wells, very good clearance for Simple Pump |
| 1.25" | ~1.66" | Standard residential | Yes, often | 5" casing ideal, 4" possible | Works in many wells, 4" casing requires careful measurements and slim fittings |
| 2" | ~2.375" | Larger residential, ag, commercial | Sometimes | 6" casing or larger | Tight in smaller casing, professional evaluation required |
Best Case Scenario
- 5" or 6" casing
- 1" submersible pipe
- Standard stainless butt couplers on submersible pipe
- Simple Pump installed above submersible with plenty of clearance
Result:
- Easy installation
- Pumps operate independently
- Simple access for maintenance
Tight Fit Scenario
- 4" casing
- 1.25" submersible pipe
- Bulkier couplers or pitless adapter
Result:
- Professional installation strongly recommended
- Detailed measurements and sometimes photos needed
- Possible need for pipe repositioning or casing modification near pitless
4. Well ID Based Compatibility Guidance
4" and 4.5" Wells
- Simple Pump can be installed in the majority of 4" and 4.5" wells alongside a submersible, if:
- Submersible pipe is usually 1.25"
- Couplers are compact (cylindrical stainless preferred)
- Simple Pump must be set at least 10 feet above the submersible pump.
5" Wells
- Simple Pump can be installed in the majority of 5" wells with a submersible
- Standard 1.25" submersible pipe is usually compatible
- Again, the Simple Pump is set at least 10 feet above the submersible
- Pitless clearance usually works without modification, but should still be checked
6", 6.25", 7", and 8" Wells
- Almost all wells in this size range are excellent candidates
- Plenty of space for:
- Submersible pump
- Simple Pump cylinder and drop pipe
- Pitless adapter clearances
- Future service and upgrades
Rare exceptions:
Extremely bulky or unusual pitless adapters that block significant casing area.
5. Pitless Adapter vs Through Cap Installations
Through Cap Installation
- Casing extends above ground
- Submersible pipe exits through the cap
- Simple Pump replaces or shares the well cap
- Often easier for DIY installs
- Direct access from above
Pitless Adapter Installation
- Water line exits through side of casing underground
- Pitless adapter carries water horizontally below frost line
- Needs enough internal clearance to pass Simple Pump drop pipe past the pitless body
- Some saddle style pitless adapters (for example Merrill 50 type) allow:
- Removing pitless body from saddle
- Sliding Simple Pump pipe past
- Reinstalling pitless once Simple Pump drop pipe is in place
In some 4" wells:
The top section of casing may be replaced with a 6" sleeve to gain extra clearance past the pitless adapter.
6. Depth and Performance Limits
- Maximum static water level for hand pump: 325 feet
- Typical motorized depth limit: About 225 feet static water level
- Maximum pump set depth: About 340 feet (cylinder placement with proper margin below water)
Shallow Wells (25 feet static water level or less)
- Light pumping effort
- Simple and often DIY friendly installations
- May use dedicated shallow well suction models where applicable
Deep Wells (More than 25 feet static water level)
- Pumping effort increases with depth
- Simple Pump can be installed at any depth up to 325 feet static water level
- Freeze protection is essential for outdoor wells in cold climates
7. Dug Wells and Wide Bored Wells
For large diameter dug or bored wells:
- Typical diameter: 3 feet or more
- Lined with concrete, wood, or metal
- A hole can be drilled through the lid
- A Simple Pump well adapter and appropriate bolts can be used to mount the Simple Pump head
- The cylinder and drop pipe are then lowered into the well just as with a standard borehole
8. Is Your Well Compatible With Simple Pump?
Usually a Great Fit
You are likely in the ideal range if:
- Casing is 2" or larger with no submersible pump, or
- Casing is 4" or larger with an existing submersible pump
- Submersible pipe is 1.25" or smaller
- Static water level is under 300 feet
- Casing is structurally sound
- Well has at least 2 GPM recovery rate
- You have either:
- Casing above ground with a cap, or
- Pitless adapter with adequate clearance
Situations That Require a Consultation
You should contact Simple Pump technical support if:
- Casing is under 2"
- Static water level is deeper than 325 feet
- You have a very tight fit in a 4" casing with 1.25" or larger submersible pipe
- Pitless adapter is unusually bulky or unknown type
- There are structural concerns with casing or wellhead
- You are working with a unique, old, or non standard well design
9. Next Steps
If your well appears compatible:
- Confirm casing diameter and type
- Measure static water level
- Doc...