Operator terms · Water
What is a booster pump?
A booster pump adds pressure to water that is already in the distribution system. It is used to lift water to higher ground, serve areas far from storage, or hold pressure in a zone where it would otherwise drop too low.
Last reviewed 2026-08-03
What it is for
Some parts of a system sit too high or too far from storage to keep good pressure on their own. A booster pump takes water already in the mains and raises its pressure so those areas get adequate, steady service.
How it differs from a well pump
A well pump lifts water out of the ground into the system. A booster pump does not draw new water; it increases the pressure of water that is already moving through the distribution system.
Common questions
- What does a booster pump do?
- It raises the pressure of water already in the system.
- Why is it needed?
- To serve high or distant areas that would otherwise lose pressure.
- Is it the same as a well pump?
- No; a well pump draws new water, a booster pump adds pressure.