Pump Hire in Crowborough, East Sussex —
Get Water Off Site and Keep Your Project Moving
The water is rising and it needs to go. Whether it is a flooded excavation, a blocked drain or a site drainage problem, we have the pump for the job. Call 01892 662 777.
54 Years Trading
CPA Member
Constructionline
Fully Insured
Water in the wrong place is one of the most common site problems.
Coppard pump hire moves it quickly — from excavations, basements, flooded fields and tanks — with the right pump for the liquid and the situation.
Nine pump types from 15 per day. No minimum hire period.
Pump Hire Fleet -- Types, Uses and Rates
We stock nine pump types covering the most common site and agricultural dewatering scenarios. Choose by the type of liquid and the required flow rate.
All prices exclude VAT. Non-account customers add 10%. Hoses and couplings are available separately.
Choosing the Right Pump for Your Job
The most common mistake with pump hire is choosing a pump sized for the worst-case scenario rather than the actual flow rate required. An oversized pump in a small excavation will drain quickly and then run dry — damaging the pump. An undersized pump on a site with significant groundwater ingress will run continuously and fall behind.
For full specifications and pricing on our complete pump range, browse the Coppard online catalogue.
Pump Hire for Groundworks and Drainage in East Sussex
The Wealden Clay that underlies much of East Sussex and the High Weald is highly impermeable. In autumn and winter, groundwater accumulation in excavations is almost guaranteed on any site deeper than 500mm below the existing ground level.
Groundworks contractors in the Crowborough, Uckfield and Heathfield areas routinely keep a 2-inch centrifugal on site throughout the drainage season — from October through to April in a typical year. It runs as needed and keeps the working zone dry enough for concrete pours, pipe laying and chamber installation.
For new build sites and self-build plots, where the foundation excavation may sit open for a week or more between groundworks phases, a hired submersible can be left running on a float switch to maintain a dry slab while other trades continue.
Chalk and greensand areas — around Lewes, the South Downs fringe and the area south of the Weald — have higher permeability and faster groundwater movement. Sites in these areas can accumulate water quickly after rain and may need a 3-inch pump as the primary unit.
We regularly supply pump hire to customers across Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, East Grinstead, Heathfield, Wadhurst, Forest Row and Tonbridge. Same-week delivery available from our Crowborough depot across East Sussex and Kent.
Pump Hire for Agricultural and Estate Use in Kent and Surrey
Farms and estates across the High Weald and the Kent border frequently need temporary pumping capacity beyond what permanent installations provide. Winter flooding in paddocks, overflowing slurry lagoons, irrigation supply during dry summers and fuel transfer between storage tanks are recurring requirements.
The 3-inch centrifugal is the most common pump for agricultural dewatering — moving significant volumes of standing water off fields and away from livestock areas quickly. Run hose from a flooded low point to a ditch or soakaway and the 3-inch will clear most average-sized paddocks in a few hours.
For fuel transfer between a road tanker delivery and a farm storage tank, or between an IBC and a fuel bowser, the Patay hand pump or barrel pump provides a simple non-electric option. Both are also useful for transferring herbicide and fertiliser concentrates from bulk containers to smaller field units.
The hydraulic oil-driven 2-inch pump is a useful option for farms with a tractor fleet — it draws power from the tractor’s hydraulic circuit, eliminating the need to manage a separate engine and fuel supply for pumping operations.
Why Hire Pumps from Coppard?
Coppard has supplied pumps to construction sites, farms and estates across East Sussex, Kent and Surrey for 54 years. We stock the range that actually gets used in this region — not an exhaustive catalogue, but the right sizes for the groundwater conditions, soil types and site configurations you will encounter.
Call Crowborough on 01892 662 777 to confirm availability and choose the right pump for your job.
Searching for the best pump hire near me? Coppard’s Crowborough depot covers Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, East Grinstead, Heathfield, Tonbridge, Forest Row, Wadhurst, Hartfield and the wider High Weald area of East Sussex and Kent. Call 01892 662 777.
For the full range of Plant & Machinery Hire available from our Crowborough depot, visit our Plant & Machinery Hire page.
Browse the full Pump Hire catalogue on the Coppard website — full specifications, models and current availability.
Frequently Asked Questions — Pump Hire in Crowborough and East Sussex
What is the difference between a centrifugal pump and a submersible pump?
A centrifugal pump sits outside the water and draws it up through an inlet hose using a rotating impeller. It needs to be primed (inlet hose filled with water) before it can start pumping. A submersible pump sits in the water and pushes it up through a discharge hose — it does not need priming and works well in confined spaces where running an engine would be impractical. For straightforward site dewatering, either works. For basements and tanks, the submersible is usually more practical.
How far can the pump discharge the water?
Centrifugal pumps can typically push water horizontally to 30 to 50 metres on a 2-inch pump, and up to 80 metres on a 3-inch, at ground level. Vertical lift reduces this range significantly. For discharging over a long horizontal distance or uphill, discuss the specific distances with our team before hiring — we can confirm the pump will handle the conditions.
Can I pump dirty or muddy water?
Standard centrifugal and submersible pumps handle lightly silted water but are not designed for heavily contaminated, abrasive or thick sludge. Pumping clay-heavy groundwater through a standard centrifugal will wear the impeller faster than normal. If your water contains significant solids, discuss this with our team — we may recommend a different setup or suggest settling the water before pumping.
Do I need permission to discharge the pumped water?
In most cases, yes. Discharging to a public sewer requires permission from the relevant water company (Southern Water for most of East Sussex and Kent). Discharging to a watercourse requires permission from the Environment Agency, plus a settlement tank to remove solids if the water is silted. Discharging to ground may also require consent depending on the volume. Check with the Environment Agency or your local authority before setting up any discharge arrangement.
Can I leave the pump running unattended?
Centrifugal pumps must not run dry — they will overheat and may seize if they lose prime and continue running. If you need unattended overnight operation, a float switch fitted in the sump will automatically start and stop the pump as the water level rises and falls. We can advise on float switch arrangements. Submersible pumps with float switches are the most reliable option for unattended continuous dewatering.
Which pump do I need for a flooded excavation or site?
The right pump will depend on how much water needs removing, the lift height, the distance to the discharge point and whether the water contains mud, sand or other solids. Submersible pumps are often suitable for relatively clean water, while diaphragm or specialist pumps may be better for dirty water and heavier debris. The Environment Agency explains that water removed from an excavation may require permission before it is discharged in its guidance on temporary dewatering from excavations. Tell Coppard’s Crowborough team the approximate water depth, condition of the water and proposed discharge distance, and they can recommend a pump capable of clearing the site efficiently.
Need pump hire near you in East Sussex or Kent?
Call 01892 662 777. Same-day collection from Crowborough. Delivery across East Sussex, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Uckfield, East Grinstead and beyond.
