About thirteen percent of Americans or around 42 million people rely on wells for their water supply. Most of these household wells are located in remote areas that the local water supply companies cannot reach. If you own private water well, you need to choose a pump that will keep your water supply sufficient, as well as professional services such as vacuum priming and system maintenance to keep your well in good shape.
If you are planning to install a new pump or replace your current one, here are the factors you need to consider before making a purchase:
Types of Pumps>
There are two main types of pumps that you can choose from, which are:
- Submersible pumps. A submersible pump is comprised of a water pump, a pump motor, and an internal check valve. As indicated from the name itself, this type of pump can operate underneath the surface and will not function unless it is fully submerged in the well water.
- Jet pumps.This category of pumps is motorized. A jet pump functions by moving water from walls with a motor that drives the pump. Usually, jet pumps are used with pressure tanks, which even out the water supply in the house.
- Centrifugal pumps. A centrifugal pump makes use of a fan that draws water from your fall via suction. This type of pump is usually cheaper than most pumps, but it cannot be used in deep wells (more than 25 feet deep).
Depth of the Well
Another factor that you need to consider is the depth of your well. Usually, there are three primary depth levels:
- Dug well. A dug well is the shallowest type of well with a depth of about 30 feet or less. It is usually created using a backhoe and lined with bricks or tiles. Dug wells will typically benefit from a shallow well jet pump.
- Driven well. For driven wells, the depth is around 50 feet. It is dug using specialized machinery called a Driven Well Point. If you have this type of well, you may want to use a deep well jet pump.
- Drilled well. A drilled well is the deepest type of well created using a large drill that penetrates 100 to 400 feet into the bedrock. With this type of well, a submersible pump is typically used.
Size of the House
You also need to determine the size of the pump you need, which usually depends on the size of your house and the number of water-dependent fixtures and appliances you have. The size of the pump is indicated via gallons per minute (GPM). For 3-4 bedroom houses, an 8-12 GPM pump should suffice. You can also use your appliances or fixtures as a basis; one fixture/appliance equals to one GPM.
Having a private well is a great way to save money since you can have unlimited water for no charge. A well can also keep you supplied with enough water even if there are interruptions in the town’s water supply. However, you need a good well pump to enjoy these benefits. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when choosing a pump for your well.
