No, definitely not! submersible pumps will incur damage even after short periods of dry running. The mechanical seal requires lubrication and cooling while the pump is operating. Without the presence of fluid, the mechanical seal will overheat and crack, and this may cause the pump to leak and fluid to enter the motor. There is also the possibility that the motor will burn out as this requires cooling by the fluid during operation. Our advice is to ensure that the pump and motor are always submerged during operation. There are two main ways to ensure the pump only operates in the event of submersion. Firstly, only the operator turns the pump on and off manually when they have a clear view of the sump. Secondly, fit the pump with a float switch that will automatically turn the pump off once the fluid has dropped to a specific level in the chamber. If you think that dry running is inevitable, then please speak to us and we will try to select a more suitable pump for your application.