We purchased this house last year. When we moved in I shocked the well as the house had sat vacant for a while and there were low levels of Coliform in it.
That loosened a lot of rust scale and killed the jet pump and that was replaced without too much issue. Had the well company back out to inspect the well and they said that while it was older, should be good for around 5 years at a minimum.

Fast forward 10 months to this past weekend, and we notice the well pump run time is exceedingly longer and longer. Call and left a message with the well company. Then this morning, the well pump would not reach cutoff pressure, settling in at 45 PSI instead of the 50 PSI limit.

Call to the well company, and after answering some questions, he's assuming either:
1) The sand point has failed and the well is not producing
2) The (less than one year old) jet pump is failing
3) The down pipe or pitless adapter are leaking allowing air into the line and reducing pressure.

Worse case is the point failing, as that's 2-2.5k to replace the system.

Next would be the pump, but that should be under warentee (if not, thats another 1.5k)

Lastly is the down pipe but as he didn't install this well (unsure who did or when) he can't even quote it over the phone (But why do I feel he'll try to replace the whole point vs. attempting repairs).

Now, I did pull the cover and verified water is at 17 ft below ground level, and while running the pump I could not see any movement in the water surface or hear any noticeable sounds like air being pulled in.

But now I wait for the call back to see when I can get in his schedule, and brace myself for the inevitable 20 questions from the wife on how to conserve the water we do have for the night.

quote:

shocked the well

?

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

shocked the well

?

It's like the monkey, only deeper.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

shocked the well

?

Typically a Chlorine charge to kill bacteria in the water system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZJ6FxK6cwk

At least you have a shallow well. Around here many are 200+ feet deep.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

shocked the well

?

Adding chlorine to the well to kill any bacteria and sterilize the pipes. Also will loosen any rust buildup.

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
At least you have a shallow well. Around here many are 200+ feet deep.

I have 3 dug wells and one point on my property, the neighbor across the street has a 180' drilled well, his next door neighbor has a 45' driven well, and the guy nearest to me on my side has a 220' drilled well.
The ground is mostly sand with a high water table, but there are areas that need to be drilled. Totally hit or miss...

Could be just the check valve needs to be replaced also called a foot valve.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SSgt USMC/Vet,

I've also heard from someone else that the venturi could be plugged or restricted, but I'm trying to resist the urge to tear open a warrantied pump...

I guess I'm venting because while all this is going on, I need to be at a site 180 miles from here by 5am tomorrow, so no wake up shower for me. The timing of this really sucks!

It's only 17 feet?
How deep is the well?
50 feet is a do it yourself job!
Mine is 200 and I had to hire a pull truck to get mine up to replace the pump.

The point is 25 feet deep (I believe). My biggest issue is time, I just don't have it.
And to be honest, I've helped maintain a well, but never installed/ started one by myself. I'd be willing to give it a go if it was just for irrigation, but the water supply to the house? I'll leave that to the professionals (this time)

Before you pull the check valve make sure you have water on hand to fill the line so you can prime the pump, also I have pulled mine in NOVA on a few occasions and it was 70 ft. deep with no problem.

When mine did that, it was the pressure tank bladder. I was losing prime.

I first thought it was my well going dry as it was dug in 1972. But when I measured the depth to the water from the top of the well casing, I actually have a higher water table than when first dug.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Aquabird:
When mine did that, it was the pressure tank bladder. I was losing prime.

Check pressure tank

Run, run fast if you see a little girl climbing out of the well.



Sorry, can't help it. Every time I hear water well. I hate that movie.

It's a newish pressure tank (2015) with 28psi of air when empty. The residual line pressure hasn't dropped, so I don't think it's losing/ lost prime.

Thank you for all the suggestions though... I'm banking it for possible future situations as well

Our well is some 340 feet deep. I had to pull the pump twice. Once it was burned out, the second time it was just clogged with mud. I shortened the supply line, raising the pump about 30 feet and our problems ceased. The pump was just too close to the bottom of the well, dirt/mud settling in to the point that it covered the intake of the pump. It seems some wells just have a tendency to slowly fill with mud from the side walls.

I can't imagine drinking from a well that shallow. Seems like it would always be under influence from surface water and therefore liable to contamination from runoff, septic, etc.

We just replaced the pump for one of our community water wells which is on my property. 720 feet. We have a couple deeper ones, ~950 feet. I haven't seen the bill yet (I am the Treasurer).

Yes, not bad price at all. Around here it would be 25K to install a new well.

A new well it is... in about 3 to 4 weeks! All of the drillers are booked out right now. We're in extended drought conditions, aged just about ever shallow well is failing, and numerous deep wells are underperforming as well.
They brought over water totes to get us by though...

Now waiting for the big unknown, will it be 150 feet, 300 feet, or 500+? Trying not to dwell on the unknown right now.