Borehole Pump Installation in Harare
Just drilled a borehole and need a pump? Existing pump failed, and there’s no water? Want to escape ZESA cuts with a solar system? We install, replace, and upgrade borehole pumps across Harare, Grundfos, Lorentz, Pedrollo, DAB, and local brands. Honest design, transparent pricing, full system warranty.
Free site visits and written designs
Emergency response for failed pumps
AC, solar, and hybrid system specialists
Harare Borehole Pump Installation Services
At Master Plumbers Harare, we do everything between your borehole and your taps. Here is what that covers.
New Borehole Pump Installation
It is usually near your water meter or where the pipe enters your house. Turn it clockwise until it stops. This is the most important step.
Replacing a Failed Pump
Your existing pump has died. We pull the old one, inspect the borehole, install the new pump with new drop pipe and cable, and have water back the same day in most cases.
Solar Borehole Pump Installation
Pure solar systems for off-grid water supply. Panels, mounting frame, controller, pump. Best for properties where ZESA is unreliable or where you want zero electricity cost on water.
AC-to-Solar Conversion
You have an old AC submersible pump powered by ZESA, with all the cut frustrations that brings. We replace the pump with a solar-compatible unit (or hybrid), add panels and a controller, and you stop relying on ZESA.
Hybrid AC/Solar Systems
The best of both worlds. The pump runs on solar by day, switches automatically to ZESA at night or on cloudy days. No water interruptions, no fuel cost during sunny hours.
Pump Upgrades
Your old pump is undersized; water pressure drops when more than one tap is open, or the pump can’t keep up with the JoJo tank. We upsize the pump or add a booster.
Pressure Tanks and Booster Pumps
Pressure tank to smooth out flow and reduce pump wear. Booster pumps to push water from JoJo tanks into the house at proper pressure.
Borehole-to-House Reticulation
The piping from the borehole, into JoJo tanks, and through to your taps. We lay HDPE pipe, fit valves, and design the flow so every fixture gets the pressure it needs.
We also offer jojo tank installation services in Harare.
Pump Types We Install
Different pumps suit different boreholes and budgets. Here is what each one does.
Submersible AC Pump
A long pump that sits inside the borehole, fully underwater. Runs on ZESA power. The most common pump in Harare.
Best for:
Deep boreholes (40m+), homes with reliable ZESA, anyone on a tight first-install budget.
Pros:
Cheaper to buy and install. Wide brand choice. Easy to source parts.
Consider:
Stops working during ZESA cuts unless paired with a generator. Higher electricity cost over time.
Submersible Solar Pump (DC)
A submersible pump designed to run on direct current from solar panels.
Best for:
Properties with frequent ZESA cuts, remote properties, anyone wanting zero electricity bill on water.
Pros:
No ZESA dependency. Zero running cost after install. Very long pump life (DC motors).
Consider:
Higher upfront cost. Water only flows when the sun is available unless you store enough in JoJo tanks. Panels need theft protection.
Hybrid AC/DC Submersible Pump
A pump like the Grundfos SQFlex that runs on either solar or ZESA, switching automatically.
Best for:
Most Harare homes wanting the best of both worlds.
Pros:
Solar by day (free water, no ZESA needed), ZESA by night or on cloudy days. Never run out of water.
Consider:
Highest upfront cost. Complex commissioning needs an experienced installer.
Surface / Centrifugal Pump
A pump that sits above ground next to a shallow borehole, well, or JoJo tank. Sucks water up rather than pushing it from below.
Best for:
Shallow boreholes (under 7m suction lift), JoJo tank pressurisation, irrigation feeds.
Pros:
Cheap. Easy to access for service. Easy to replace.
Consider:
Only works for shallow water. Loses prime if the suction line leaks. Noisier than submersible.
Pressure / Booster Pump
A small pump used to push water from a JoJo tank into the house at proper pressure.
Best for:
Houses with low pressure from JoJo gravity feed, two-storey homes, premium fittings that need real pressure.
Pros:
Solves weak flush, weak shower, and slow filling problems. Auto on/off runs only when you open a tap.
Consider:
Adds a separate system to maintain. Needs reliable power.
Borehole Pump Brands We Install
We work with every borehole pump brand available in Zimbabwe and the SADC region. Here is what each one is known for.
Grundfos (Denmark)
The gold standard. Long pump life, quiet operation, excellent solar range (SQFlex). The premium choice for most Harare installs. Hybrid AC/DC models are exceptional.
Lorentz (Germany)
Solar specialist. PS2 range is built specifically for off-grid solar pumping. Slightly cheaper than Grundfos solar with comparable quality.
Pedrollo (Italy)
Reliable mid-range. 4SR submersible range is popular and well-priced. Good middle ground for AC installs.
DAB (Italy)
Mid-range AC pumps. Strong on pressure pumps and surface units. Wide parts availability.
What a Complete Borehole System Includes
You don’t just buy a pump. A working system has multiple parts. Here’s what we install for a full job.
1. The pump
Sized to your borehole depth and household demand
2. Drop pipe
Heavy-duty HDPE pipe that lowers the pump into the borehole and carries water up
3. Safety cable
Stainless steel cable that holds the pump weight (not the pipe)
4. Power cable
Sized to your borehole depth and household demand
5. Cable splice kits
Waterproof joints between pump cable and surface cable
6. Non-return/check valve
Stops water flowing back down when the pump stops
7. Head plate
Seals the top of the borehole, holds the drop pipe
8. Sanitary seal
Keeps dirt and contaminants out of the borehole
9. Pressure tank
Smooths flow, reduces pump wear, holds reserve water
10. Pressure switch
Turns the pump on when pressure drops, off when full
11. Control box (AC) or Solar controller (DC)
Protects the pump and manages power
12. Dry-run protection
Switches the pump off if the borehole runs low
13. Surge protection
Protects the pump from ZESA voltage spikes
14. Float/level sensor
In a JoJo tank, turns the pump off when the tank is full
15. Manhole cover
Secures the borehole head against theft and contamination
16. Solar panels and frame
(Solar systems only) Properly anchored, ideally secured against theft
Skipping any of these is where most cheap installs fail. We don’t skip.
AC, Solar, or Hybrid — Which Makes Sense in Harare?
This is the most common question we get. Here is honest guidance.
Pick AC if:
- Your ZESA supply is reliable (you have fewer than 4 hours of cuts per day)
- Your upfront budget is tight
- You have a backup generator
- You don’t mind a monthly ZESA bill on the borehole
Pick Solar if:
- ZESA cuts your supply for 6+ hours most days
- You want zero electricity cost on water long term
- You can afford the upfront investment (typically 1.5–2× an AC system)
- You have enough roof or ground space for the panels
- You’re willing to invest in theft protection for the panels
Pick Hybrid (AC/Solar) if:
- You want water 24/7, no matter what
- You can afford the highest upfront cost (typically 2× an AC system)
- ZESA is sometimes there, sometimes not, and you don’t want to choose
- You want a future-proof system you’ll never need to convert later
Our typical Harare recommendation
For most middle-income Harare homes, we recommend a good AC submersible pump now, sized so it can be converted to solar power later. For premium homes (Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant, Highlands) where ZESA cuts are particularly disruptive, we recommend hybrid from day one.
The wrong choice is the cheap pump and skinny system that fails in 18 months. The right choice is the matched system that runs for 10+ years.
Borehole Pump Problems We Fix
Existing system not working right? Here is what we see most often.
No Water at All
Pump may have failed, cable may have shorted, control box may have tripped. We diagnose and replace the failing part.
Weak Pressure / Weak Flow
Pump may be undersized, motor may be tired, pressure tank may be waterlogged, or there may be a leak in the drop pipe.
Pump Keeps Tripping the Breaker
Common after ZESA surges. Could be a damaged motor, faulty pressure switch, dry-running (borehole low), or burnt cable.
Pump Won’t Stop Running
Pressure switch stuck, pressure tank failed, or a leak somewhere in the system that’s stopping pressure from building.
Pump Cycles On and Off Too Quickly
Pressure tank has lost its air charge. We recharge or replace it. Simple fix that saves the pump from premature wear.
Sand or Muddy Water
The borehole may be silting up, or the pump may be set too low. We flush the borehole and reposition the pump if needed.
Air in the Pipes
The drop pipe leaks, or the check valve has failed. Air gets sucked in when the pump stops.
Solar Pump Not Working in Cloudy Weather
Either the system is undersized for low-light conditions, or the controller is faulty. We test and resize where needed.
Bad Smell or Taste From Borehole Water
May be biological (decaying matter in the borehole) or chemical (iron, sulphur). We can recommend filters and water testing.
Theft and Security, A Real Harare Issue
Borehole pumps, solar panels, and controllers get stolen. Cable gets cut and stolen for the copper. We have seen too many homeowners lose $4,000 systems overnight. Here’s how we build for security.
Locking Manhole Cover Over the Borehole
Cast-iron locking cover bolted into the slab. Hides the borehole head and stops the pump being pulled out.
Concrete Plinth Around the Borehole Head
Buried head plate inside a small concrete plinth. Makes the pump much harder to access quickly.
Concrete Plinth Around the Borehole Head
Buried head plate inside a small concrete plinth. Makes the pump much harder to access quickly.
Hidden Controller and Pressure Tank
Mount the controller and pressure tank inside a secure room, under a slab, or inside the house, not in an exposed outdoor enclosure.
Panel Mounting with Anti-Theft Bolts
Panels mounted with one-way anti-theft bolts on a steel frame, ideally on the roof rather than at ground level.
Optional Alarms and Cameras
For premium installs, we coordinate with a security company for vibration sensors and remote alerts on the borehole and panel array.
Our Borehole Pump Installation Process
01
Free Site Visit
We come to your property, check the borehole specs (depth, yield, water level, casing), look at your power options (ZESA, generator, solar potential), check your JoJo tank setup, and discuss your water needs.
02
System Design
We design a system to match your borehole and your usage. You get a written design with: pump model, system components, expected daily output, electricity or solar usage, and full price.
03
You Decide
Take your time. We’re happy to answer questions and adjust the design. Compare with other quotes if you want to. We don’t push.
04
Sign-Off and Deposit
When ready, a 50% deposit. We order the pump and parts, and book the install date.
05
Installation Day
For a standard AC install, this is one day on site. For solar or hybrid systems with panel mounting, allow 1 to 2 days. We pull any old pump, install the new pump and full system, connect power, and test.
06
Commissioning and Walk-Through
We pressure-test, check flow at each tap, set the pressure switch, prime the system, and walk you through how everything works. You get a printed system overview to keep.
07
Documentation and Guarantee
You receive a written record of every component installed (brand, model, serial numbers), the 12-month workmanship guarantee, and the manufacturer warranties on pump and major parts.
08
We Stay Available
We don’t disappear after the install. Call us if anything seems off in the first weeks. We answer.
Why Master Plumbers Harare for Your Borehole Pump
We Size the System Right
A pump too small is useless. A pump too big wastes money and burns the motor. We match the pump to the borehole and the household, not to the supplier’s mark-up.
Real Borehole Tools
We carry pulling rigs, cable splice kits, pressure gauges, multimeters, and submersible-rated tools. Borehole work isn’t the same as bathroom plumbing.
AC, Solar, and Hybrid Expertise
Many installers do one well and the others poorly. We do all three. We’ll tell you honestly which suits your property.
12-Month Workmanship Guarantee
On all our installation work, in writing. The pump itself comes with the manufacturer’s warranty (typically 12–24 months on Grundfos, Lorentz).
Fixed Quote First
You see the full price in writing before any work starts. No “extras” added later.
We Stay Available After the Install
Borehole systems need occasional attention: pressure tank top-ups, sensor calibration, pump checks. We service what we install.
Suburbs We Cover for Borehole Pump Installation
We install borehole pumps anywhere in Harare and the surrounding areas, including farms and properties further out.
- Borrowdale
- Borrowdale Brook
- Mount Pleasant
- Highlands
- Chisipite
- Glen Lorne
- Vainona
- Helensvale
- Greendale
- Newlands
- Eastlea
- Hatfield
- Avondale
- Belvedere
- Mabelreign
- Marlborough
- Emerald Hill
- Westgate
- Waterfalls
- Chitungwiza
- Ruwa
- Norton
Borehole Pump Installation FAQ
How fast can you install a borehole pump?
For pump replacement on an existing borehole (failed pump), we can usually be on-site the same day or next day, with the pump running by end of day. For new full system installs with solar and panels, allow 1 to 2 working days after the agreed install date.
How do I know what size pump I need?
Pump size depends on three things: borehole depth, borehole yield (how much water comes in per hour), and your household demand. We measure all three on the site visit and recommend a pump that’s matched — not undersized (won’t keep up) or oversized (burns out fast).
Why do borehole pumps fail?
The most common causes in Harare are ZESA surges (especially when power returns after a cut), sand wear (borehole silting up), dry running (water table dropping), and old cable splices letting water in. A well-installed system with surge protection and dry-run cutout can run 8 to 12 years.
Should I go AC, solar, or hybrid?
For most middle-income Harare homes, we recommend a good AC pump sized for later solar conversion. For homes with severe ZESA disruption, hybrid from the start. Pure solar is best for off-grid properties or where you want zero ongoing electricity cost on water.
Can you convert my old AC pump to solar?
Yes. We can either replace the AC pump with a solar-compatible unit (cleanest option), or add an inverter and panels to power the existing AC pump (cheaper but less efficient). We will tell you honestly which makes more sense for your setup.
Will the pump work if my borehole is low or has sand?
If the borehole has sand, we flush it first and reposition the pump higher to avoid sediment. If the water table is dropping, dry-run protection will cut the pump off automatically before damage. For boreholes with chronic low yield, we may recommend a smaller pump and a larger JoJo tank reserve instead of a powerful pump that runs the borehole dry.
What about theft of the pump or panels?
This is a real risk in Harare. We install locking manhole covers over the borehole head, hide controllers and pressure tanks inside secure spaces, and mount panels with anti-theft bolts. We can also coordinate with security companies for vibration alarms on the system. Photographic records are kept for insurance.
Do you do maintenance after the install?
Yes. Borehole systems need occasional checks pressure tank charge, sensor calibration, splice integrity. We offer optional annual service contracts at a flat rate. Or call us as needed.
Can you install for a new build?
Yes. We work with builders and architects. We can install the system during construction (clean trenches for reticulation, services run through pre-built channels), which is significantly cheaper than retrofitting later.
Ready to Plan Your Borehole System?
Whether it’s a new install, a failed pump replacement, or a solar conversion to escape ZESA, start with a free site visit. We design a system that matches your borehole, your home, and your budget. No pressure. No upsell.
Chat with us