Is it possible to suck water from a ditch using a submersible pump?

Probably a really stupid question: We have a submersible pump (just in case) for the event that the basement should ever flood. But it was never used because it was never necessary. Now we have newly built, and soon the garden will be laid out. Behind the property is a large ditch with plenty of water in it. One could use it for watering. That certainly won’t work with the submersible pump, right? We still need to buy a proper garden pump?

The submersible pump can pump water from the ditch into the garden. If it is a high-pressure pump, [Rasensprenger und Co] could be operated directly. Otherwise, use a garden pump with suction hose and [Druckanschluss Gardena]. If the water is not clean, provide a filter, otherwise [Rasensprenger und Gartenbrause] will clog.

Everything that has written is correct. Most submersible pumps, however, have quite low pressure and flow rate. Accordingly, the irrigation circuits must be designed accordingly. You don’t need a "garden pump." Are you allowed to simply use the water?

Behind the property there is a large ditch with a lot of water in it.

Hello Heidi1965 that sounds like a biotope. Do you really want to use water from there for your garden? Once that gets out, there will be a lot of trouble. Steven

It is a drainage ditch. Our rainwater from the roof and from the drainage also flows into it. Why should nothing be taken out of there? The alternative would be tap water. That is ridiculous when there is a ditch running behind the house.

Not possible! See the Water Resources Act. WHG. $8 and $9 mainly. A permit is required for the use of the water.