Ask Me Help Desk - Water Pressure on a residential well

I see that there are similar questions out on there about this topic, but thought I would try to get some additional information.

My issue is that we just built a new home with a new well. First problem is that our flow rate is only about 1 gallon/minute. Second problem is the water pressure is very low. The well is about 200 ft deep, and we have a 3/4 hp pump with a pressure tank. 1. What can I do to increase my water pressure. 2. what can I do to increase my flow rate. For example, if it takes like 15-20 minutes to run the water for the washer.

Sorry I don't have more information, if you have additional information that you think might be helpful I will take it.

Thanks ukball1

Haven't you talked with your well driller regarding this issue. I am assuming that the volume and flow are low throughout the house,right? I'd be hot on that driller.

If you have a flotrol pump switch that can be turned up for more pressure then adjust it higher but not over 60 Psi.

You don't mention what the water pressure is set at now and what the gage reads?

Need to know what size well pipe fedding the house. Are there 3/4 feed lines in the basemsnt or 1/2 inch?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Haven't you talked with your well driller regarding this issue. I am assuming that the volume and flow are low throughout the house,right? I'd be hot on that driller.

Not sure I am getting the right answer from the well driller. First of all the cost for the well was suppose to be in the $4500 range. That was based on going down 100ft, they ended up going down 200 ft then went to a 3/4 hp pump. The pump will shut off after the water line falls below a certain level, then it kicks back on when it rises. So basically I have no water. I was told that for a family of three that we would have plenty of water and should experience no problems.
When I asked about the pressure he told me to go to the pressure tank and turn the nut clockwise to increase the pressure but should not exceed 60 psi. When I got down there I realized that there were two screws (nuts). A tall one and a short one, I turned the tall one first and the pressure shot up, but went down once water ran for a bit. Also was unsure on how many turns to make and what was going to happen when I walked away, made me a little nervous.
Yes flow is low throughout the house. The initial pressure is not horrible when it first comes on but it quickly slows down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 21boat

If you have a flotrol pump switch that can be turned up for more pressure then adjust it higher but not over 60 Psi.

You don't mention what the water pressure is set at now and what the gage reads?

Need to know what size well pipe fedding the house. Are there 3/4 feed lines in the basemsnt or 1/2 inch?

The water pressure is set at around 50 psi, I have 3/4 feed lines and the well pipe in the ground is 5.5 inches

I doubt you will ever be happy with only one gpm. It sounds as though your water supply is completely insufficient. It is NOT a pressure problem. It is a VOLUME problem.

BTW, I am assuming this is a submerged pump. At 3/4 hp pump submerged at 200' should give you a ton of water if there is sufficient water in the well.

In my area we call that a seeper well. Its all about the aquifer. That is so strange that one customer is on a speeper well and 40 feet away the well is strong, both are 45 years old.

Can't fix a seeper, it's a aquifer problem.

I would get face to face on the driller like bal1 strongly suggested. The driller is responsible to let you know if you have hit enough water to supply house.

A couple things I would check is the screens on all faucets and the screens on the washing machine there may be some debris slowing the flow of water.

As boat and others have stated the well is what we call slow recovery also . The pump you have can push that water 200 ft no problem. The flow rate is very poor and if they drill farther it may not help. If you have a standard pressure switch it will not open the contacts on the pressure switch until it hits the cut off point and the pump will run with no water .We just got 13 years of service from are 1 1/2 hp gould with the low water cut off. We run out of water everyday with 4 teenage boys .

For example we have a drilled well that is 79 ft deep and a pump that will push 10 gpm .

The water level in the well is about 40feet down so I have about 39 feet of water and with the 10gpm pump it is barely enough to fill the 40 gallon h2o heater and the 60 gallon bladder tank. The pump will run and run if you do not have a low water cut off pressure switch. The price of a new LWCO pressure switch is worth it or it can burn up that pump.

You can install a 100 gallon tank for more water storage in the cellar if you have room.

Do you know how far off the bottom the pump is set?

Do you know how far down the well casing is the top of the water?

I would check the water level after the well has set for awhile so you know the height of the water in the well compared to the depth.

I would like to hear Speedballs ideas on this .

[QUOTE=csavage1;1663284]A couple things I would check is the screens on all faucets and the screens on the washing machine there may be some debris slowing the flow of water.

OK, thanks for everyone's input, the pressure is much better. I took everyone's advice and called the well driller. He drained the pressure tank and checked for any sediment in the tank, seemed to be clean. The whole house filter was "caked" with sediment, so we replaced this and it did the trick.

What had happened is when we were testing the well and pump and went dry and basically stirred up all the sediment and sent this through the main line clogging everything.

I am hoping to get 4wks out of every filter, we shall see.

Thanks again to all.

I also cleaned out all screens from faucets, tubs and hoses.

Ukball 1 If that filter isn't working like you want here is a great site for filters ratings and what they filter

Water Filter Comparisons - Compare Drinking Water Filters

Hears some cheaper ones that I use.

http://www.waterfilters.net/SearchBy...er-Filters.htm

Keep this for reference in case you need to upgrade.