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Wellpointing Solutions

High-efficiency pumps & wells engineered for NZ conditions.

Adaptable wellpointing solutions

Wellpointing can be a tricky business. Groundwater rarely behaves as you expect and soil conditions vary from point to point.

Prime Fluid Management understand wellpointing. We have the experience and expertise to support you teams on the ground where required and can advise on equipment – including our own custom wells designed for New Zealand’s often fickle groundwater structures.

Our positive displacement wellpointing pumps deliver consistent high-pressure in a range of environmental conditions. They auto-prime and will pump a mixture of water and air without any restrictions.

Fit-for-purpose

Flexible solutions to meet your needs

Our team is highly experienced in wellpoint dewatering. We stock a range of products, including wells custom-designed for perched water:
  • Expertise and on-site support
  • Unrivalled pump performance and economy
  • Hybrid, diesel and electric drive pumps
Flexible solutions to meet your needs
HUMAN-CENTRED ENGINEERING

BBA Pumps DriveOn® Technology

BBA Pumps’ DriveOn® design philosophy aims to reduce the physical and material demands of pump maintenance. DriveOn® pumps deliver: 
  • Ergonomic design for improved physical working conditions
  • 1500hr service intervals
  • 83% less scheduled maintenance
  • 25% less engine oil required
BBA Pumps DriveOn® Technology

Overview of our wellpointing piston pumps and dewatering solutions

Hybrid Piston Pumps Combining a single cylinder diesel engine and electric motor, the plug-in hybrid switches easily between power sources once power becomes available.
Auto-switch available.
  • Size: 102mm or 152mm (4” or 6”)
  • Max flow: 78m³/hr
  • Max head: 20m
Electric Piston Pumps BA direct drive electric piston pumps deliver uncompromised performance and efficiency on a low carbon footprint. They can run-dry safely and have an extended service interval of 1500hrs.
Available with sound-attenuated canopy.
  • Size: 130mm – 250mm (4”- 10”)
  • Max flow: 190m³/hr
  • Max head: 20m
Diesel Piston Pumps An extremely fuel-efficient, dry self-priming, double acting piston pump for wellpoint dewatering. They can run-dry safely and have an extended service interval of 1500hrs. Available with sound-attenuated canopy.
  • Size: 76mm – 152mm (3”- 6”)
  • Max flow: 103m³/hr
  • Max head: 20m
Jetting Pumps A compact, high-pressure jetting pump used for jetting in wellpoints and other high pressure applications.
Heavy-duty marine grade aluminium casing, stainless steel impeller (cast iron optional).
A great pump for dust suppression systems.
  • Size: 80mm
  • Max flow: 25L/s
  • Max head: 70m
Jetting Units A standalone skid mounted unit, fitted with 2x 1200L tanks and a high-pressure jetting pump.
  • Transportable on a tandem axle trailer or truck bed
  • Features an outlet for jetting in wellpoints and dust suppression - both can be controlled wirelessly via a hand remote.
  • It has the function to suck water out of an open source to re-fill the tanks.
Wells & Accessories Full range of stainless steel and PVC wells, hoses, pipes, swingarms and other wellpointing parts and accessories.

View our full dewatering, bypass and sewage pump range.

GALLERY

In the field

Here are some examples of our solutions being used.

Read Dewatering, Bypass & Sewage articles

See other Dewatering, Bypass & Sewage Pumps

They brought their mechanics, they didn't just dump it and leave….couldn't have done it without them to be honest

Mark CadwalladerCatchment Worker

This sort of unique system you set up is what sets you apart from others in the Market

Jacob Warmsley Project Manager

I had an amazing experience with Prime Pump at the Transmission Gully ... will recommend you guys anytime and anywhere.

Peter FisherDirector

You guys had our backs from the get-go and stood beside us and persevered.

DaveOps Director

We called for a different type of solution…... We were pretty happy with what's been delivered

Rob KerrProject Director

Prime supplied us with the best solution for hire and the instant availability was what we needed… We certainly will be using them in the future

Priscilla EllmersWastewater Supervisor

Make an enquiry

Let’s sort your fluid management needs 
Speak to an expert

William Filleul

William Filleul
Sales Engineer

Brent Petrie

Brent Petrie
Sales Engineer

Ben Beatson

Ben Beatson
Sales Engineer

Questions

FAQ

At Prime Fluid Management, we understand that every fluid management challenge brings unique considerations. Here, you’ll find clear, practical answers and expert guidance to help you maximise uptime, achieve regulatory compliance, extend equipment life, and implement the most effective solution for your site. 

How does a wellpointing system work on site?

A wellpointing system uses a series of small-diameter wellpoints installed in a line or ring around an excavation. Each wellpoint is a screened inlet, connected via a riser pipe to a header main that runs back to the wellpointing pump.

At Prime Fluid Management, we pair this layout with positive displacement piston pumps that deliver consistent high pressure, automatically prime, and move a mixture of water and air without restriction. This setup lowers the groundwater level around the excavation, creating a more stable and workable site in New Zealand’s variable soil conditions.

What do wellpoints, riser pipes (risers) and swing joints do in a wellpointing system?

In a typical wellpointing setup:

  • Wellpoints or filters are the screened inlet sections installed in the ground that draw groundwater into the system.
  • Riser pipes or risers are the vertical pipes that connect each filter up to the surface and into the header main. 
  • Swing joints are the flexible connections between each riser and the header main, usually incorporating a valve so flow from each wellpoint can be adjusted or isolated as needed.

At Prime Fluid Management, our wells and accessories range includes steel wells, PVC and self-jetting wellpoints, header pipes and swing joints. Your wellpointing system can be set up and fine-tuned to suit site conditions — or our experienced operations crew can help you configure an optimal system when hiring our equipment.

Why use slotted screen wellpoints?

Because different ground conditions call for either slotted screen or wedge-wire wellpoints, slotted screen designs are often used where sand control and steady groundwater intake are needed. At Prime Fluid Management, we supply PVC slotted screen wellpoints, also commonly referred to as spears, which are simple to install, economical and reusable.

For more substantial groundwater flows or tougher ground conditions, we also supply 150mm (6 inch) steel wells — custom-designed by our team. These ensure fast installation and improved water quality. 

The slotted screens create a controlled intake area that allows groundwater to enter freely while keeping sand and fines out of the system. This helps protect pumps and maintain system performance over longer operating periods.

To view the full range of wellpointing pumps and accessories, download our Civil, Quarrying and Mining Product Guide 2026

What is a jetting lance and how does it work with your jetting pumps and jetting units?

A jetting lance is the handheld pipe used to install wellpoints. It connects to a high-pressure jetting pump and directs water into the ground to fluidise the soil, allowing each wellpoint and riser to be jetted down to its design depth.

At Prime Fluid Management, we have jetting pumps and jetting units that are purpose-built for this task — providing compact, high-pressure pumping for installing wellpoints and other jetting applications. Options include skid-mounted units with twin 1,200 L tanks, along with remote-controlled outlets for jetting and dust suppression.

When is a wellpointing solution the right choice compared with other dewatering methods?

Wellpointing is often the right choice for shallow to moderate depth excavations where you need controlled drawdown of the groundwater table along a trench or around a structure.

It’s widely used on New Zealand civil sites for pipelines, shallow foundations, services and pits — particularly in sandy or fine-grained soils where open pumping is not enough to keep the excavation stable.

At Prime Fluid Management, we design wellpointing solutions around your project requirements, matching piston pumps, wells, risers, swing joints and jetting equipment to local soil conditions, perched water and site constraints. If wellpointing isn’t the best fit, we can also assess alternative options in the dewatering, bypass and stormwater range, including auto-prime pumps and drainage submersible solutions.

Why use a piston pump for wellpoint dewatering?

Piston pumps provide reliable suction in unpredictable ground conditions. They use positive displacement to move water and air through a sealed chamber, making them ideal for wellpointing applications where a consistent vacuum must be maintained — even with low or fluctuating inflow. This makes piston pumps highly dependable in unstable soils. 

At Prime Fluid Management, we supply the BBA PT-Series piston pump range, which offers unmatched economy of use. These pumps are highly fuel efficient and maintenance-friendly, requiring servicing only every 1,500 hours — up to six times longer than standard piston pumps. You can read 

The PT-Series is available in battery-electric, diesel and hybrid configurations, providing flexible drive options to suit different site requirements. Find out more in our article about BBA Piston Pump efficiency.