No Well Pump Pressure without Rain???
#1
06-08-08, 06:10 AM
No Well Pump Pressure without Rain???
Hello,
I have a rental unit that is complaining about there being no water. They state that sometimes the shower will run for a while, then die out, same with dishes, etc. If they flush teh toilet, that is all the water they have for a while, then it takes a couple of days to build back up the pressure.
The system has a jet pump about ground and a pressure tank. It is older, but it appears to be working well. Yesterday I went to check it out, and the when the water runs down the pressure to 20 or so PSA, the pump kicks on and fills the tank back up until 50PSA or so, just like normal. The pressure was then fine, in the shower, sink and toilet all at once. Everything seemed to be working just fine.
But, it had also just rained. And, the tenants claimed that the same thing happened before (the low or no pressure thing), then when it rained, the pressure returned.
Is this even possible? Is it possible that the rain is effecting the water pressure and the watertable/ability of the pump to find water?
Or is there anything else possible. I hate to just start throwing new parts at it (pump, pressure tank, gauges, etc.) or to start thinking about drilling a new well- because I do not think I can afford this.
Any thoughts at all? Any ideas about how to further troubleshoot the situation?
Thanks
I have a rental unit that is complaining about there being no water. They state that sometimes the shower will run for a while, then die out, same with dishes, etc. If they flush teh toilet, that is all the water they have for a while, then it takes a couple of days to build back up the pressure.
The system has a jet pump about ground and a pressure tank. It is older, but it appears to be working well. Yesterday I went to check it out, and the when the water runs down the pressure to 20 or so PSA, the pump kicks on and fills the tank back up until 50PSA or so, just like normal. The pressure was then fine, in the shower, sink and toilet all at once. Everything seemed to be working just fine.
But, it had also just rained. And, the tenants claimed that the same thing happened before (the low or no pressure thing), then when it rained, the pressure returned.
Is this even possible? Is it possible that the rain is effecting the water pressure and the watertable/ability of the pump to find water?
Or is there anything else possible. I hate to just start throwing new parts at it (pump, pressure tank, gauges, etc.) or to start thinking about drilling a new well- because I do not think I can afford this.
Any thoughts at all? Any ideas about how to further troubleshoot the situation?
Thanks
#2
06-08-08, 07:44 AM
2 things come to mind:
1; your well is running dry and it is a fairly shallow well and reacts to surface water quickly or worse, the water somehow runs direectly into the well. (bad because the ground is a natural filter and surface water should never enter a well.
or
2; you have a broken pipe somewhere that is allowing the water to leak out of the pipe and when the surrounding soil is wet, it tends to prevent the outflow of water since it is already saturated.
So, what I would do is;
when it is dry and the pump is not supplying water, go to the well and close the valve that leads from the system to the dwelling (youdo have a shut off valve in that line, right? You should)
If the pump pressurizes the tank quickly and shuts off, open the valve and see what happens. If it cannot recover, close the valve again. If it recovers quickly, then I would start looking for a broken pipe.
If is doesn;t recover, then I would think the well is running dry and since recent rains replenish it so quickly, I would not use the well anymore for potable water, or at least have a health department water quality test performed to be sure you are not going to make your tenants sick.
1; your well is running dry and it is a fairly shallow well and reacts to surface water quickly or worse, the water somehow runs direectly into the well. (bad because the ground is a natural filter and surface water should never enter a well.
or
2; you have a broken pipe somewhere that is allowing the water to leak out of the pipe and when the surrounding soil is wet, it tends to prevent the outflow of water since it is already saturated.
So, what I would do is;
when it is dry and the pump is not supplying water, go to the well and close the valve that leads from the system to the dwelling (youdo have a shut off valve in that line, right? You should)
If the pump pressurizes the tank quickly and shuts off, open the valve and see what happens. If it cannot recover, close the valve again. If it recovers quickly, then I would start looking for a broken pipe.
If is doesn;t recover, then I would think the well is running dry and since recent rains replenish it so quickly, I would not use the well anymore for potable water, or at least have a health department water quality test performed to be sure you are not going to make your tenants sick.
#3
06-08-08, 07:45 AM
Is this even possible? Is it possible that the rain is effecting the water pressure and the watertable/ability of the pump to find water?
Yes, it is possible with a shallow well. Water is found in seams of course sand or gravel with clay separating the seams. Water travels around in those seams.
One possibility is that the seal between the ground and the casing allows rain water/runoff to enter the well. There could be a hole in the casing that allows water in.
Another possibility is that the well is in a seam that is being replenished by an old well, maybe improperly abandoned, catching the runoff the same way as above. Could be in a neighbor's yard or a mile a way.
Could be near a body of water like a pond or lake. Well is in a seam connected to that body. Many surface ponds or lakes are not "spring fed", but are connected to the surficial aquifer which also can be connected to a well.
What you need to do is run, don't walk, when the tenants complain so that you can see for yourself what is happening. You should also have the water tested for safety reasons since this is drinking water.
Wells can be extended down to a different seam. Depends on the diameter and depth as well as some "local knowledge" to know it that is feasible for you.
Yes, it is possible with a shallow well. Water is found in seams of course sand or gravel with clay separating the seams. Water travels around in those seams.
One possibility is that the seal between the ground and the casing allows rain water/runoff to enter the well. There could be a hole in the casing that allows water in.
Another possibility is that the well is in a seam that is being replenished by an old well, maybe improperly abandoned, catching the runoff the same way as above. Could be in a neighbor's yard or a mile a way.
Could be near a body of water like a pond or lake. Well is in a seam connected to that body. Many surface ponds or lakes are not "spring fed", but are connected to the surficial aquifer which also can be connected to a well.
What you need to do is run, don't walk, when the tenants complain so that you can see for yourself what is happening. You should also have the water tested for safety reasons since this is drinking water.
Wells can be extended down to a different seam. Depends on the diameter and depth as well as some "local knowledge" to know it that is feasible for you.
#4
06-09-08, 04:53 AM
So.....
Thank you both for the info. So, I will certainly go and do some trouble shooting when the well appears to run dry again. I will run the steps as listed above.
Assuming that things do not get better- are you stating that I could extend the existing well down farther into another seam? Or would I likely be looking to start over with another well drilling.
Any estimate on what these would cost me?
Another thought- there is a city water supply available. But, I am sure this will be very expensive also. In the long run do you think it would be best to just tie into this system though? I guess this would pass the buck on any future problems on to the CIty.
Assuming that things do not get better- are you stating that I could extend the existing well down farther into another seam? Or would I likely be looking to start over with another well drilling.
Any estimate on what these would cost me?
Another thought- there is a city water supply available. But, I am sure this will be very expensive also. In the long run do you think it would be best to just tie into this system though? I guess this would pass the buck on any future problems on to the CIty.
#5
06-09-08, 02:32 PM
it would be cheaper to hook into the city water. I don;t know about the extending the well thing though.
REGARDLESS, you need to get the water tested. Many of the previous possibilities could be causing your tenants to be supplied with, well, let's simply say "not clean" water.
This is a must regardless what you eventually do. It is for your tenants health and your wallet (liability from a lawsuit would not be cheap)
REGARDLESS, you need to get the water tested. Many of the previous possibilities could be causing your tenants to be supplied with, well, let's simply say "not clean" water.
This is a must regardless what you eventually do. It is for your tenants health and your wallet (liability from a lawsuit would not be cheap)
