Best without a battery in backup sump pumps
A backup that runs on city water pressure instead of a battery, so it keeps going through a multi-day outage as long as the mains pressure holds. It needs at least 40 psi and a 3/4 in service.
Our score: 7.9/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Backup flow at 10 ft
- 1,000 gal/h
- Switch
- Float-operated water valve
- Water pressure needed
- 40 psi
- Minimum pit width
- 10 in
Is it right for you?
Pros
- No battery or charger to maintain; runs as long as water pressure lasts
- About 1,000 GPH from the sump at 60 psi and 10 ft lift
- Brass dual check valve, shut-off valve and push-fit fittings included
- 9 V water alarm included; 5-year limited warranty
- Float-operated water valve: needs no electricity at all
Cons
- Needs city water at 40 psi or more and a 3/4 in service: not for wells
- Uses about 1 gallon of city water for every 1.5 to 2 gallons pumped
- Some cities require extra backflow protection, and some ban these pumps
- Stops if the city's water pressure fails in the same storm
- Best for
- Homes on city water that lose power for days at a time, and owners who don't want to replace backup batteries.
- Not for
- Homes on a private well, low-pressure or 1/2 in services, areas where water service also fails in a storm, and towns that forbid pumps run on city water.
Our verdict
The HB1000-PRO is the backup for long outages. It is an ejector: city water rushing through it creates suction that pulls water up from the sump, and both leave through the discharge. A float valve in the pit opens the water supply when the level rises, so it needs no electricity or battery and keeps running for as long as the mains keep their pressure.
Basepump’s chart gives about 950 gallons an hour of sump water at 40 psi, 1,000 at 60 psi and 1,200 at 80 psi, all at 10 ft of lift, and Basepump says it uses one gallon of city water to remove 1.5 to 2 gallons from the sump. It needs at least 40 psi static pressure and a 3/4 in service and supply pipe. Basepump ships to Canada from the US in US dollars. Our battery versus water-powered comparison weighs the two kinds.
Before you buy: water supply and code
Test your flow first: Basepump suggests a 5-gallon bucket test at an outside tap. The PRO kit includes a brass dual check valve (ASSE 1024, CSA B64.6), a brass shut-off valve and push-fit fittings; the -V kit uses a vented dual check valve (ASSE 1012, CSA B64.3) that some places require. Basepump recommends a separate outdoor discharge, so a frozen or clogged primary line can’t stop both pumps, and suggests testing every two to three months.
Code and water safety: where city drinking water meets sump water, most plumbing authorities require an approved backflow preventer, and rules differ by city; some want a reduced-pressure (RPZ) device tested by a licensed plumber. Some cities set a minimum pump capacity or ban water-powered backups outright; where they are banned, a battery backup such as the Zoeller Aquanot Spin 508 is the alternative. Ask your municipality and a licensed plumber before installing one.
Specs
Basepump HB1000-PRO Water-Powered Backup Sump Pump
Backup
| Backup flow at 10 ft | 1,000 gal/h |
|---|---|
| Works in an outage | Yes |
| Water pressure needed | 40 psi |
Pump
| Switch | Float-operated water valve |
|---|---|
| Minimum pit width | 10 in |
| Housing | Thermoplastic |
Alerts
| Phone alerts | No |
|---|---|
| Alarm | Yes |
Other details
| Warranty | 5 years |
|---|
Maker’s figures, checked 4 Nov 2026.
Basepump HB1000-PRO questions
Does a water-powered backup sump pump need a backflow preventer?
Usually yes. Basepump says most authorities require an approved backflow device where city water meets sump water. The PRO kit includes a brass dual check valve; some areas want a vented type (the -V kit) or a reduced-pressure device, so check with your local plumbing department first.
Will a water-powered backup pump work on a well?
Generally not. It needs at least 40 psi of static pressure and steady flow, and a well pump stops in a power outage. Basepump designs it for municipal water.
How much water does it use?
Basepump says about 1 gallon of city water for every 1.5 to 2 gallons it removes, more at higher pressure, and only while it is pumping.
Is the Basepump sold in Canada?
Basepump ships to Canada from its own US store, priced in US dollars with Canadian taxes and customs extra.
