Gear Review — Well Water
When the power goes out, your electric well pump stops. A deep well hand pump is the only way to access your well without electricity. There are two pumps worth owning — here is how they differ.
The problem
Most rural households with a private well assume they are more water-independent than their neighbors on city water. During a power outage, the opposite is true. City water systems typically run on pressurized infrastructure with backup generators. Your submersible well pump stops the moment grid power goes down.
The pressure tank in your basement holds a small reserve — usually 5 to 10 gallons of usable water before pressure drops to nothing. Depending on household size, that reserve lasts between one hour and half a day. After that: no running water, no working toilets, no water for cooking or drinking.
A deep well hand pump installed alongside your existing submersible changes that calculation entirely. You keep your electric pump for daily use. When the power goes out — whether for hours or weeks — you walk outside and pump. No generator, no fuel, no noise, no dependency on anyone else.
This is not a small purchase
A properly installed deep well hand pump costs $1,500 to $3,000 or more depending on well depth. It requires knowing your static water level and casing diameter before ordering. For households with a private well, it is one of the highest-value preparedness investments available. For households on city water, it is not applicable. If you are not sure whether you have a well or which type, consult your property records or a local well contractor before reading further.
What you need to know first
Before you contact either manufacturer, you need three pieces of information. Without them, neither company can give you an accurate quote or confirm compatibility.
Static water level
The depth at which water sits in your well when the pump is not running. This is the number that determines which pump and how much drop pipe you need. It is not the same as total well depth. A 300-foot well can have a static water level of 40 feet — meaning the hand pump only needs to lift water 40 feet. Your well driller's log has this figure. If you do not have the log, a local well contractor can measure it.
Well casing diameter
The inside diameter of your well casing. Modern drilled wells are almost always 4-inch, 5-inch, or 6-inch casings. Both Simple Pump and Bison Pump require a minimum 4-inch casing to install alongside an existing submersible. A 2-inch or 3-inch casing can still accept a hand pump, but the submersible must be removed first — the two cannot share a 2-inch casing.
Submersible pump pipe size
The diameter of the pipe currently running from your submersible pump. Standard residential submersibles use 1¼-inch pipe. Knowing this confirms whether the hand pump drop pipe can fit alongside it in the casing. Both manufacturers will walk you through compatibility when you call — have this number ready.
Call before you order
Both Simple Pump and Bison Pump have knowledgeable technical staff who will review your well specs before you buy. This is not a standard retail purchase — it is a custom system sized to your well. Use that support. A call before ordering is time well spent.
Side by side
Both are American-made, stainless steel construction, and designed for serious long-term use. The differences are meaningful at depth.
| Spec | Simple Pump | Bison Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Max static water level | 325 feet | 250 feet |
| Pumping effort | 12–18 lbs (to 325 ft) | Moderate to 150 ft; increases beyond |
| Installs alongside submersible | Yes — 4" or larger casing | Yes — side-by-side systems available |
| Pressurize home system | Yes — inline valve assembly option | Requires additional plumbing |
| Min casing (solo install) | 2 inch | 4 inch |
| Manufactured in | Minden, Nevada (since 1999) | USA |
| Warranty | Lifetime (materials and workmanship) | Limited warranty |
| Typical equipment cost | $1,500–2,500+ | $1,800–2,500+ |
| DIY installation | Yes — fiberglass rods are lightweight | Yes — two-person install under 150 ft |
| Aesthetics | Functional; utilitarian profile | More finished appearance |
The full reviews
simplepump.com · Minden, Nevada
$1,500–2,500+
equipment; varies by depth
Simple Pump is the benchmark for deep well hand pumps in the US preparedness community, and the engineering explains why. The pump uses a positive displacement design with CNC-machined components — it moves a fixed volume of water per stroke regardless of depth. The lever arm provides a mechanical advantage that limits pumping force to 12 to 18 pounds all the way to 325 feet of static water level. That is within the comfortable range for most adults, including older adults and older children, even at depths that would make a traditional pump unusable.
The most important design feature for most households is the dual-pump capability. Simple Pump installs alongside your existing submersible in a 4-inch or larger casing, with the hand pump cylinder set at least 10 feet above the submersible. You keep your electric pump running normally. When power goes out, you switch to the hand pump without any modification to your existing system. An optional inline valve assembly allows the hand pump output to pressurize your home's pressure tank — meaning you can use your faucets and toilets as normal during an outage, not just fill buckets at the wellhead.
Materials throughout are NSF-certified or FDA-approved: stainless steel, aircraft-grade aluminum, NSF-certified PVC, lead-free brass, and fiberglass rod. The fiberglass drop rod is the feature that makes DIY installation practical — it is light enough that a homeowner and one helper can install a system with static water levels under 150 feet without heavy equipment. Deeper installations benefit from a mechanical assist. Simple Pump has been engineering and manufacturing in Nevada since 1999; thousands of systems installed in the early 2000s are still operational.
Works well for:
Wells with static water levels from shallow to 325 feet. Households that want a clean dual-pump installation alongside an existing submersible. Anyone who wants the option to pressurize the home system during outages. DIY-capable homeowners with wells under 150 feet static depth.
Worth knowing:
Pricing is depth-dependent — get a quote from simplepump.com based on your specific well. Cannot be purchased off a shelf; the system is configured to your well specs. Not applicable for 2- or 3-inch casings with an existing submersible in place (the submersible must be removed first for those casing sizes). The motor upgrade option converts the hand pump to solar-powered operation — a meaningful long-term feature for off-grid households.
Not on Amazon — direct from manufacturer
bisonpumps.com · USA
$1,800–2,500+
equipment; varies by depth
Bison Pump is the other serious option for deep well hand pumps in the US market, and it has a dedicated following among homesteaders and off-grid households — particularly those who value a more polished, finished appearance at the wellhead. The Bison Pump head casting is widely regarded as the more aesthetically refined of the two pumps, which matters when the pump is in a visible location near a home entrance or garden.
Bison's standard deep well system is rated to 250 feet of static water level. The pump uses stainless steel construction with drop pipe and rod in 8-foot sections. Side-by-side installation alongside a submersible is available. For wells with static water levels under 150 feet, pumping effort is comfortable; beyond 150 feet, effort increases more steeply than the Simple Pump's lever design. For the majority of residential wells in the eastern US — where static water levels commonly run 30 to 100 feet — this distinction is academic.
Bison Pump systems can be installed by two capable people without professional equipment for wells requiring fewer than nine sections of pipe and rod (approximately 72 feet). Deeper installations benefit from mechanical assistance. Like Simple Pump, Bison offers detailed installation guidance and knowledgeable technical support. The company has an established dealer network across the US.
Works well for:
Wells with static water levels under 200 feet. Households where the pump is visible and aesthetics matter. Off-grid and homestead situations where the pump will see heavy daily use. Anyone with an established Bison dealer in their area for installation support.
Worth knowing:
Not the right choice for wells with static water levels beyond 200 feet — Simple Pump's depth and effort advantage becomes significant there. Pricing is comparable to Simple Pump for similar depths; get quotes from both before deciding. Pressurizing your home system requires additional plumbing work beyond standard installation.
Not on Amazon — direct from manufacturer or dealer
Decision guide
Your static water level is over 200 feet.
Simple Pump. It is the only production hand pump rated to 325 feet with manageable pumping force at that depth. Bison Pump is not the right tool at this depth range.
You want to pressurize your home's plumbing during outages.
Simple Pump with the inline dual-pump valve assembly. This is the cleanest way to use your existing faucets and toilets during an outage. Bison can achieve this with additional plumbing but it is not the standard configuration.
Your static water level is under 150 feet and aesthetics matter.
Either pump works at this depth. Bison Pump has the more finished appearance at the wellhead. Get quotes from both — the right local dealer and installation support may be the deciding factor.
You want to install it yourself.
Simple Pump is generally considered the easier DIY installation, primarily because the fiberglass drop rods are lightweight enough for two people to handle without mechanical equipment for most depths. Both manufacturers provide installation documentation and video guidance.
You want a solar upgrade path later.
Simple Pump. The motor kit upgrades the hand pump to 12v or 24v solar-powered operation without replacing the pump. A meaningful option for off-grid households who want to add solar over time without starting over.
Common questions
Simple Pump reaches deeper — 325 feet of static water level — and requires less pumping effort at depth (12 to 18 pounds of force throughout). It installs cleanly alongside an existing submersible in 4-inch or larger casings and can pressurize your home's pressure tank. Bison is rated to 250 feet, requires more effort beyond 150 feet of depth, and is generally considered the more aesthetically polished installation. Both are American-made stainless steel systems with decades of field history.
Yes. Both Simple Pump and Bison offer side-by-side installation for 4-inch or larger casings. The hand pump cylinder installs at least 10 feet above the submersible. You keep your electric pump for daily use and switch to the hand pump when power is out. Neither pump requires removing your submersible for this configuration.
Static water level is the depth at which water naturally sits in your well when the pump is not running — not the total well depth. A 400-foot well might have a static water level of 50 feet. Hand pump depth ratings are based on static water level. Your well driller's log has this figure; a local well contractor can measure it if you do not have the log.
Equipment runs $1,500 to $2,500 or more depending on depth. Each additional 8-foot section of drop pipe and rod adds cost. Professional installation adds $500 to $1,500 depending on your region and well depth. Shallower wells (under 100 feet static depth) can often be DIY-installed by two capable adults following the manufacturer's documentation.
Simple Pump can be configured with an inline valve assembly that delivers hand-pumped water directly into your home's pressure tank, allowing normal use of faucets and toilets during an outage. This is a significant practical advantage over pumping into buckets at the wellhead. Bison Pump can achieve pressurization with additional plumbing but it is not the standard installation.
Keep going
Well Water Preparedness Guide
What well owners need to know about power outages, pump failure, and backup options.
Emergency Water Storage
Storing enough water to bridge the gap while a hand pump is being installed — or before you have one.
Best Water Storage Containers
Containers for storing water at the wellhead or indoors during a power outage.
Water Preparedness Hub
The complete water domain — storage, filtration, treatment, and well preparedness.