Well, (pun intended), I have a question, for the forum members, on a small irrigation well. The well is approximately 25 years old, 165 ft deep and was cased with 2 inch plastic well casing pipe. Soil in this area is alternating clay / sand layers, no rock what so ever. A top side check valve was installed and 2 inch suction pvc was connected directly to the pump. When originally drilled, the water level was approximately 12 ft below surface grade, and was pumped using a shallow well jet type irrigation pump. Results were not spectacular due to the lift height, but sufficient volume/pressure flow was generated to run 7-10 pulsating sprinkler heads at the same time. I estimate flow was approximately 15 GMP at 30 psi. In the past few years, we have had persistent drought conditions, and this year, the water level in the well has fallen to 23 ft below ground level. This water level drop is near the outside suction limit of the pump (25 ft max) and the pump is cavitating, and water flow is no longer sufficient to run even 1 sprinkler head properly. I know the well is good and has sufficient recharge capabilities, as I used compressed air to pump the well for good period of time, at a high volume level, so long as I could supply air to it. Drilling a new well with larger casing for a submersible pump is not an option at this time. Using an air pump system, to pump the well to an above ground temporary storage tank is not an attractive option either. I have installed 1 ¼ suction pipe, inside the 2 inch casing, with a foot valve 60 ft into the well in hopes of being able to improve pump lift with a flooded suction pipe, but have concluded you cannot defy physics and gravity. I am, however, hoping to use physics to defy gravity and this is where I ask your opinions. I know a 2.31 ft column of water is equal to 1 PSI. What I am considering is to use forced air pressure in the outer casing pipe to create artificial lift in the inner suction pipe, to force the water up the suction pipe closer to the surface using the pressure imbalance, where the pump can then lift it. I have calculated that a 10psi charge should be sufficient to lift a column of water 23 ft. The math says this will work, but assumes the bottom of the well is like a closed chamber, where the water cannot escape back into the well when external air pressure is applied. I know, in reality some amount will be forced back down the well, but am hoping the static pressure of the water pocket will act somewhat like a closed chamber. Before I undertake re-plumbing the pipes to do this, I am seeking your opinions on the above question. I have not found anything on-line, discussing anything even remotely like this approach. Thanks for the long winded read. Dialtone_n_TX

Last week my water stopped working in a trailor i just purchased, when i turn the sink on water slowly comes out for about a minute then completely stops, i checked the shallow well and it has water in it, so i called a plumber who came and spent about 5 hours here and charged me 900 bucks and didnt help the problem what so ever, the pump i have on my water tank is a utilitech deep well convertable jet pump, 1/2 hp 720 gph. Any help here would be greatly appreciated