Water Well Pumps

Water well pumps are devices that extract water from a well. They operate under pressures that range from under a pound to 10,000 pounds per square inch or more. There are a variety of water well pumps including hand pumps which require an individual to operate, mechanical water well pumps, solar pumps, and submersible water well pumps. Jet pumps are used by approximately 32% of American homes, while submersible water well pumps are used by about 60% of homes. In addition to residential use, water well pumps are utilized in commercial, industrial, and agricultural venues. In many parts of the country it is quite simple to find potable water, while in other places wells must be dug deeper due to a low water table. Wherever wells are required, water well pumps are employed to draw water out of the well, allowing it to be transported to its final destination.



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Sizing Residential Water Well Pumps

Water well pumps are best sized by professionals, thereby ensuring that your water needs are met both now and in the future. To select the proper size of pump, the gallons per minute of water required at peak usage needs to be determined. There are a few common methods for sizing residential water well pumps:

• Capacity Based on Fixture Count

The capacity of water well pumps in gallons per minute should be equal to the number of fixtures the home contains. This includes all fixtures for the kitchen, bath, appliances, and any outdoor water fixtures.

• Capacity Based on Peak Demand

The capacity of water well pumps is based on a seven minute peak demand. Peak time for residential water use is either in the morning when the family is preparing for the day, or in the evening when family members return home. Seven minutes is the average high water use time for an automatic washer or for the average shower.

The best water well pumps for particular homes are those where the needs of the household are less than the rate at which water can be drawn from the well. If the peak demand exceeds the maximum rate of available water, the pump must be sized within the well capacity and the peak demand attained through additional storage. Commonly, a large pressure tank is used to accomplish this task. In fact, larger tanks extend the life of water well pumps because they limit the need for the pump to cycle frequently.

In sizing water well pumps, water pressure must be taken into account. The pressure must be adequate to force water through the system’s pipes to the highest outlet and to sufficiently operate appliances continuously; even when other outlets are being used. Different types of water well pumps have advantages and disadvantages. With the help of a professional, take into account the following factors before making your final choice:

How Water Well Pumps Work

All too often homeowners do not appreciate how they get their water. That changes, however, if a well pump breaks down and stops pumping water! Water well pumps are very dependable and usually last for several years. Two main types of water well pumps are employed for residential use: submersible pumps and jet pumps. The type of pump used generally has to do with the amount of water needed, the climate, and the contractor’s preference. Water well pumps of the submersible type are used in a majority of American homes. These pumps are long cylinders, about 2-4 feet in length and 3-5 inches in diameter. The electric pump and motor are installed as one unit. An electric cable is connected to the motor, and a pipe to transport water comes up the well and into the home. These water well pumps are often placed hundreds of feet below the water in the well to insure that water is available, even in times of drought. When the pump is on, the motor turns impellers that actually push the water up out of the well.

Water well pumps known as shallow well jet pumps are the second most common residential pump. The motor and pump on this piece of equipment is not immersed in the well, but is often placed close to the well as in a basement. These water well pumps work by pumping water through an ejector into a discharge pipe that comes up from the well. A jet of high pressure water is forced into the discharge pipe, creating a vacuum. This is what causes water to be drawn from the well. A portion of that water is piped to the home and another portion returns to the ejector to raise more water from the well. Water well pumps of this type are not efficient at depths below 25 feet, and also require more electricity than submersible pumps. The advantage of a shallow well jet pump is that it can be used in wells having a narrow diameter, since all of it’s working parts are above ground.

Water well pumps known as deep well jet pumps can be found in about 8% of American homes. These pumps are much like shallow well jet pumps except that the injector is installed down the well instead of being connected to the pump. These water well pumps can pull up water from a 75 foot depth. A "convertible pump" simply refers to a pump that can be used as either a shallow well jet pump or a deep well jet pump depending upon how the ejector is installed. There are literally a boatload of different water well pumps in existence. It always pays to get the help of a professional so that you choose a pump that will best meet your particular needs.